Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 2, 2026

Arrow's UK division released Ju-on: The Grudge Collection in late 2022 in a kind of unusual combo pack that included 1080 presentations for the six films in the series, but with an additional 4K UHD presentation of Ju-on: the Grudge. Arrow's US division is now releasing that 4K edition as a standalone release, though without an accompanying 1080 disc.

Those interested can peruse both my Ju-on: The Grudge Collection Blu-ray review and particularly my Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray review for more information. Parts of those reviews have been reprinted here as appropriate.

Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: This release does not include a 1080 Blu-ray, so these screenshots are taken directly from the 4K UHD disc and downscaled to 1080 and SDR. Color space in particular is therefore not accurate, and I recommend those interested to look at some of the screenshots in my Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray review of Arrow's UK release since I was able to source screenshots from the included 1080 presentation for a probably better representation of the palette. Since this release does not include a 1080 disc, the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.

Ju-On: The Grudge is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with a 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet understandably redacts the information included in the UK Collection release to include only information pertinent to this film:

Ju-On: The Grudge is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with 5.1 and stereo sound and has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K 16 bit resolution at Tokyo Genzosho, Japan. The film was restored in 4K and graded in HDR10 & Dolby Vision at Silver Salt Restoration, London.

The audio mixes were remastered by Kadakowa Corporation. The restoration was supervised by James White and James Pearcey, Arrow Films.

As I mentioned in my review of the UK edition which included both 4K UHD and 1080 presentations, this frankly may be another case where some might prefer the 1080 to the 2160 due to the prevalence of rather thick and, especially in the 2160 format, kind of "multicolored" grain that often has flecks of yellow and purple in it that kind almost resemble chroma anomalies. Even in the downscaled SDR screenshots included here, the multicolored grain can be spotted pretty easily, and it's also observable in the many 1080 screenshots accompanying the UK review. A lot of the 4K UHD presentation features rather nicely tight resolution of grain, especially in the more brightly lit outdoor scenes, but those interested might keep an eye out for brighter interior backgrounds, as in any number of scenes featuring white walls, where grain can almost swarm across the image. That possible qualm aside, the 4K UHD version offers some noticeable upticks in fine detail and HDR and Dolby Vision grades do present a number of really interesting palette nuances, including everything from the spooky face paint of the ghosts to more mundane items like the bright colors a couple of the female characters wear.

Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Ju-On: The Grudge features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks in either the original Japanese or an English dub. I didn't notice any material difference between the two tracks in terms of mixes or overall amplitude. The surround activity here is consistent, though kind of commendably subtle given the film as a perceived "horror blockbuster". As mentioned above, even David Kalat goes out of his way to mention how the film doesn't really rely on tried and true tactics like bursts of LFE or (in the visual realm) jump cuts to establish its spookiness, and as such it's "little" moments like sudden scuttling noises panning through the surround channels that can help to create unease. Ambient environmental sounds are not necessarily limited to outdoor scenes and also engage the side and rear channels effectively. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Options and Commentaries

  Audio Commentary by David Kalat

  
  

  Audio Commentary by Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel

  
  

  English dubbed version is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

• Extras

  Haunting in Monochrome: Takashi Shimizu on Ju-On (HD; 13:47) is subtitled in English.

  
  

  Being Kayako: An Interview with Takako Fuji (HD; 12:23) is subtitled in English.

  
  

  The Evolution of Ju-On (HD; 27:21) features Tom Mes and Zach Davisson discussing the series.

  
  

  Through a Glass Darkly (HD; 31:21) is an archival interview with Takashi Shimizu. Subtitled in English.

  
  

  Whispers in the Dark (HD; 17:16) is an archival interview with Megumi Okina. Subtitled in English.

  
  

  Fade to Black (HD; 9:42) is an archival interview with Kayoko Shibata. Subtitled in English.

• On Set Interviews are subtitled in English:

  Takashi Shimizu (HD; 5:26)

  
  

  Megumi Okina (HD; 1:34)

  
  

  Misaki Ito (HD; 1:11)

  
  

  Misa Uehara (HD; 00:59)

  
  

  Yui Ichikawa (HD; 00:54)

  
  

  My Most Terrifying Experience (HD; 5:04) features cast and crew relaying scary moments from their lives.

• Deleted Scenes

  Sachie's Vision (HD; 00:52)

  
  

  Izumi and her Mother (HD; 1:46)

  
  

  Chiharu and Miyuki Visit Izumi (HD; 1:24)

  
  

  The Shrine (HD; 1:16)

  
  

  Bathroom Visitation (HD; 00:48)

  
  

  Alternate Ending (HD; 5:22)

• Behind the Scenes

  Setting the Scenes of Terror (HD; 16:22)

  
  

  Rika's Story (HD; 10:44)

  
  

  Hitomi's Story (HD; 10:49)

  
  

  Izumi and Chiharu's Story (HD; 8:19)

• Ju-On True Stories (HD; 10:48) is almost an audio extra, with Hiroyoshi Kihara narrating two "tales of terror". Subtitled in English.


• Trailers

  Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:37)

  
  

  UK Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:10)

  
  

  US Trailer (HD; 1:30)

• Image Gallery (HD)


• Introduction by Takashi Shimizu (HD; 2:12) is accessible under the Play Menu. Subtitled in English.

An insert booklet features several archival articles. Packaging features a reversible sleeve and a slipcover.

Ju-on: The Grudge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ju-On: The Grudge is a good, old fashioned creepy ghost story, and if it doesn't have the jump scares and startle effects in its soundtrack that so many cookie cutter horror efforts tend to, maybe that's a good thing. It's really interesting to see how Takashi Shimizu went about altering certain aspects of the story for this first feature film creation, and if there's maybe just a bit of a rote aspect to elements like the police investigation, a lot of Ju-On: The Grudge is decidedly sui generis, if at times at least tangentially reminiscent of Ringu. Technical merits are generally solid, though this is another case where some may actually prefer Arrow's Region B 1080 SDR version to the 4K UHD version. Supplements are numerous and outstanding. Recommended.