Class of Nuke 'Em High Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Class of Nuke 'Em High Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker April 28, 2026

Arriving on cinema screens two years after their enduring hit 'The Toxic Avenger (1984)', Troma's 1986 film 'Class of Nuke 'Em High' returns to Blu-Ray in this new and definitive edition courtesy of Refuse Films. Packed with a full curriculum of extras, the on-disc supplements include three cuts of the film, multiple commentaries, and hours of other supplemental materials both old and new, consisting of interviews, deleted scenes, and an Easter Egg from the 2010 Troma Blu-ray release. A slipcover and four-page booklet with information about the transfer and images of vintage VHS cover art are also inlcuded. The slipcovered edition is limited to 3,000 units. This release is available directly from the Refuse Films website.

At Tromaville High, a nearby problematic nuclear power plant spells trouble for the students, and the honor society are some of the first to be affected. The situation becomes dramatically worse when marijuana grown on the power plant's tainted grounds makes it into circulation. While the initial impact is quite pleasurable, other side-effects are made manifest that provide an additional threat to the lives of those at the school.

When toxic waste resulted in Melvin (Mark Torgl), the hopeless and relentlessly bullied "mop boy", becoming a mishappen righter of wrongs in The Toxic Avenger (1984) and the first substantial hit for Troma, it's hardly surprising that the studio would look to the nuclear power industry as another source of inspiration. This time, though, there's no superhero to save the day, and the students must initially contend with the menacing Cretins in an obvious allusion to 1979's Rock 'n' roll High School , a film featuring The Ramones, as well as their hit "Cretin Hop". Later a more challenging nuclear-powered foe would emerge next to which the giddily evil gang pales in comparison. But in the mid-1980's, both toxic waste and nuclear power were easy choices for boogeymen. And rightly so. Just a few years removed from the 1979 partial meltdown of Three Mile Island's Unit 2 reactor which dominated headlines and soured the American public on the emerging energy source, it was now viewed in a much more worrisome light. Beyond nuclear power and closer in time to the genesis of this film, toxic waste issues were also top-of-mind as a result of the tragic and attention-grabbing Love Canal (in Niagara Falls, New York), and Times Beach, Missouri, disasters. The pictures from Times Beach are particularly haunting, and these environmental crises gave rise to important legislation and massive clean-up efforts. Not to mention the fact that while the film arrived in theaters in the US near the end of 1986, and the Chernobyl disaster occurred in April of that same year, once again putting nuclear power back in the public's mind and in a terrifying and deadly light. Indeed, in the wake of these events, the man-made threat of a nuclear accident was an easy choice.

But in true Troma fashion, while the concept of a nuclear incident very near to a high school may sound serious, the on-screen results are most definitely not. Instead, the film plays out like an updated riff on the classic teen films of an earlier era, where the clean-cut kids must avail themselves against a mildly "evil" gang, young lovers must make sense of and take action on their feelings, and an unwanted teen pregnancy (after the obligatory outburst from an outraged mother) poses a very different sort of problem beyond simple moral decay. Tasteless, gory, and riddled with over-the-top performances, genre fans are in for a wild ride. Those attuned to 80's alternative music will also thrill to spot a lively early performance from The Smithereens at the massive party in the first act of the film. That same year would see them release the album Especially For Your with it's 60's-inspired track "Time and Time Again" and the college radio staples "Behind the Wall of Sleep" and "Blood and Roses", both of which are some of my favorites of the band's output.

Class of Nuke 'Em High Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Troma's previous Blu-ray release of The Class of Nuke 'Em High was not particularly well-received, with all manner of issues being routinely on display. Refuse's newly remastered AVC-encoded 1080p image is much improved. Film grain is present and resolves naturally, and skin tones are generally healthy. Detail levels are typically good and occasionally high for a low-budget film of this vintage, allowing viewers to enjoy 80's fashion particulars and gooey, gory make-up and practical effects. Hair, make-up and costuming details are most enjoyable with the outlandish fashion choices of the Cretins. Their leathers show age and wear, elaborate make-ups are demonstrate significant detail, and their various chains and other accoutrements are well-defined. Primaries, as seen in Warren and Chrissy's blue jackets, and various reds can be quite vibrant, and the all-important radioactive greens and are nicely saturated. As improved as the image is, it is not perfect. There is some mild instability and a brief instance of damage visible during the opening credits, and some mild flicker in a few of the process shots of the nuclear power plant appearing in the distance behind the high school, as well as the occasional white speck. But these are hardly problematic and are never distracting. On the whole, this is the best the film has ever looked.

Screenshots #1 - 14 are sourced from Class of Nuke 'Em High (2009 Director's Cut in HD Widescreen).

Screenshots #15 - 17 are sourced from Devil's Poison High School (1987 Japanese Cut in SD Open Matte).

Screenshots #18 - 20 are sourced from Class of Nuke 'Em High (1997 Director's Cut in SD Open Matte).

Class of Nuke 'Em High Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

My colleague wasn't overly complimentary of the Dolby Digital 2.0 track that accompanied the Blu-ray release from 2010, again citing a variety of issues including damage, drop-outs, and a persistent high-pitched ringing. Happily, those issues are not applicable with this new Refuse Films release. Sourced from the 1997 Digibeta Master, the 1997 original Dolby Digital English 2.0 Stereo track is quite pleasing. Dialogue is consistently clean and devoid of any defects or issues. Music is well-rendered within the limitations of the vintage track, as is initially demonstrated with the film's theme song and later with The Smithereen's performance at the party. Effects such as gun shots, crashes, and revving engines are era-appropriate, and while they won't dazzle modern ears, they certainly and more importantly won't offend either. It's a noticeable improvement over the previous Blu-ray and fans should be pleased. For fans looking for a different viewing experience, the film can also be viewed with the Dolby Digital 2.0 Music and Effects Track. While all dialogue has been removed, there are still various whoops, moans, laughs, sighs, screams, and the like to go along with the music and gunfire, and mayhem.

Class of Nuke 'Em High Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

As is Refuse Films' standard, this release comes loaded with on-disc supplemental material.

Three Cuts of the Film

• Devil's Poison High School (1987 Japanese Cut in SD Open Matte) (1:36.04) - The original uncut version of the film created for home video in Japan.

• Class of Nuke 'Em High (1997 Director's Cut in SD Open Matte) (1:22.44) - The most well-known cut of the film.

• Class of Nuke 'Em High (2009 Director's Cut in HD Widescreen) (1:25.11) - Refuse's new remastered iteration of the film with the stereo mix from the 1997 release of the Director's Cut.

Audio Commentaries

• 2025 Robert Prichard Commentary - Moderated by Zack Beins and recorded by Zach Eastman, Prichard begins by discussing the casting process, The Ramones and The Smithereens, the high school set, the two "gangs", and numerous other topics. Beins keeps the conversation going and Prichard's memories of working on the two films are very sharp and detailed. It's an enjoyable commentary that is only occasionally bound to the on-screen action.

• 1998 Lloyd Kaufman Commentary - Flying without a moderator, Kaufman begins by speaking about the directorial decisions for the film, the source of the idea for the film, casting the two leads, the meltdown effect, and the construction of the initial gore sequence. He covers the love scene between Chrissy and Warren, shooting nudity, and the transformation and "nuclear pregnancy" scenes. Kaufman is quite relaxed and is occasionally silent, content to watch the film and waiting for it to spur his comments, but such moments never last long. It's a wide-ranging and informative track. It's sourced from the 1997 Troma Team DVD Master

Deleted Scenes

• 1998 Deleted Scenes from Director's Cut (8.50) - A collection of deleted scenes are introduced by Lloyd Kaufman. Sourced from the 1998 Troma Team DVD Master.

• 1991 Deleted Scenes from USA Network's "Up All Night" TV Cut (936) - Deleted material plays without an introduction or comments. Sourced from the 1991 Digibeta Master.

Interviews

• 2012 Lloyd Kaufman Interview (24.36) - Recorded at the Prince Charles Cinema and sourced from the 2012 Arrow Video UK Blu-ray, Lloyd joins Liam Regan and Andrew on stage along with Toxie and Tromette Onamission. They begin by discussing Father's Day, James Gunn, Class of Nuke 'Em High Redux, before hearing from the audience.

• 1998 Robert Prichard & Jennifer Baptist Interview (5.27) - The married actors who met on the set of The Toxic Avenger discuss their time on that film and Class of Nuke 'Em High. Sourced from the 1998 Troma Team DVD Master.

• 1998 Theo Pingarelli Interview (0.41) - Pingarelii briefly comments on the power plant models. Sourced from the 1998 Troma Team DVD Master.

Tromarchival Extras

• 2009 Tromette of the Week (2.08) - Sourced from the 2009 Troma Team Video Blu-ray, Hypodermia shares a brief educational lecture. "Chaucer" is hilariously tough to say.

• 2009 The Sexy Workout (1:03.42) - Sourced from the 2009 Troma Team Video Blu-ray, this feature was originally an Easter Egg on the original Troma Blu-ray release of Class of Nuke 'Em High that was found by arrowing down to "Play Feature" and then arrowing to the left. The extra's title then appeared in the "Tromatron" meter graphic and was selectable. Understandably this was not mentioned in our site's review of the disc back in 2015 as it was "hidden" and not easily found. Per the verbiage at the start of the much easier to find "The Sexy Workout" extra on the Refuse disc, it was allegedly placed on that original release by an unknown intern after the film was acquired by Troma sometime in the 2000s. True or not, it's a good story. It is included here for the sake of completion. In this feature, after a brief introduction from our host Sally as she quickly discusses healthy eating and proper workout attire, she, Silvia, and Sabrina remove all of their clothing and do a lengthy workout consisting of yoga and various body weight exercises.

• 2000 Troma's Edge TV Ep. 4 of 20 (24.13) - Sourced from the 2000 Digibeta Master, this segment includes Trent Haaga interviewing himself and get handsy with Lloyd Kaufman, a music video from The Lunachicks, a hot message from Al Gore about global warming, bad advice, and more.

• 1998 Aroma Du Troma (1.47) - Sourced from the 1998 Troma Team DVD Master, this is a rapid-fire promo piece set to music from Motörhead.

• 1998 All I Need to Know About Filmmaking I Learned From T'he Toxic Avenger' (1.22) - A promo for Kaufman's book, it's sourced from the 1998 Troma Team DVD Master.

• 1998 Public Service Announcement (3.38) - Sourced from the 1998 Troma Team DVD Master, Lusitania introduces a PSA about the perils of the five free minutes of hotel adult pay-per-view movies and they offer an alternative.

• 1997 New Troma Cityscape (0.29) - Sourced from the 1997 BetacamSP Master, it's the new credits sequence.

• 1996 Troma Basement Ep. 4 of 20 (6.35) - Sourced from the 1997 BetacamSP Master, the episode leads off with a spot about Troma's Chopper Chicks in Zombietown screening at London's iconic Prince Charles Cinema, and Ms. Troma writes a novel.

• 1996 Lloyd Kaufman Presents... Nuke 'Em High (0.45) - Sourced from the 1996 BetacamSP Master, it's a Hitchcock-style intro from Lloyd.

• 1996 Tromaville Cafe Ep. 'Class of Nuke 'Em High' (6.39) - Sourced from the 1997 BetacamSP Master, Dementia asks those around the studio about their high school expereinces as an intro to the film.

• 1987 WPIX USA Tonight Segment (3.17) - Sourced from an Original Troma Inc. Publicity U-Matic Master Tape, it's a quick piece about the studio, Herz and Kaufman, and featuring several clips from their films.

• 187 NBC 'Today Show' In Cannes Segment (1.28) - Sourced from an Original Troma Inc. Publicity U-Matic Master Tape, we get a glimpse of Kaufman promoting Surf Nazis Must Die.

• 186 KYW-TV Evening Magazine Segment (5.46) - Sourced from an Original Troma Inc. Publicity U-Matic Master Tape, the segment features Herz and Kaufman on camera, comments on their business model, as well as clips from their films.

Tromatic Excess

• Troma Trailer Tape 4 (12.13) - Trailers for Redneck Zombies, Angel Negro, Chopper Chicks in Zombietown. Superstarlet A.D., Parts of the Family, and Invasion of the Space Preachers.

• Tromaville High School Digital Excess (1:30.52) - A catch-all segment that features footage pertaining to Class of Nuke 'Em High in some way that includes Sgt Kabukiman, Lloyd Kaufman, Robert Prichard, a music video, Rhonda Shear USA Up All Night, and more.

• Nuke 'Em TV Spot & Trailers (17.48)

• Troma Team Video Nuke 'Em Intros (0.51) - A DVD intro from Lloyd Kaufman.

• Radiation March (0.54) - "If pollution grows, children won't."

Class of Nuke 'Em High Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Class of Nuke 'Em High has always been a favorite of mine, and it's hard to imagine the film looking or sounding any better than it does here. While not as popular and well-known as The Toxic Avenger to those who aren't genre fans, the film spawned a number of sequels, each more "ambitious" than the one before. But even in this first installment, there are enough gonzo transformations and instances of inventive effects work to satisfy gore-hounds, and enough 80's sights and sounds on display to serve as a time capsule of sorts for those who have an affinity for the era. Troma fans should be excited with the exhaustive collection of extras included here as well, and they will likely want to spend time with all of them. Refuse Films' release of Class of Nuke 'Em High is very strongly recommended.