Meatballs 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Meatballs 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 28, 2025

This month's releases from Lionsgate Limited are unusually variant in terms of packaging, disc formats and resolutions and whether either a 4K or 1080 presentation has been previously released. Requiem for a Dream 4K repeats previously released 4K and 1080 discs with new packaging; Daybreakers 4K features a 4K disc with a previously released 4K presentation and some new supplements in SteelBook packaging; and The Home 4K is new to 4K and 1080, with Lionsgate also offering a standalone 1080 disc which is widely available, including at Amazon. If your consumer's head isn't spinning yet, in the case of Meatballs, Lionsgate Limited is offering both a new 4K presentation and new 1080 presentation with both repeated and new supplements, all in SteelBook packaging.

Meatballs received a long ago 1080 release from Lionsgate, so long ago that I had actually forgotten that I personally reviewed it in 2012. Those interested can read my Meatballs Blu-ray review which offers some plot information, a list of supplements and my reaction to the technical presentation.

Meatballs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package.

Meatballs is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films' Lionsgate Limited etailer with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. There are at least some passing allusions to the new 4K master from Jason Reitman in the interviews included as supplements, though the release doesn't really offer any substantial technical information on the restoration / remastering process. The biggest difference, and I'd say pretty huge difference, is with regard to the color timing on both the new 1080 presentation and this 4K presentation. I wasn't especially enthused about the old 1080 transfer, and as my review explicitly mentioned while I liked the general vividness of the palette on that old disc, reds in particular were almost explosive in that version, coming close to blooming if not outright blooming at various points. In hindsight now and stacked up these new versions, the old version looks pushed and too yellow, all of which has been corrected in these new presentations. All of the reds are considerably toned down in both resolutions, and even HDR / Dolby Vision doesn't substantially alter what are now tones that are at least frequently skewed more toward orange than red, especially in things like Murray's shorts or some of the uniforms the kids wear. That said, there are some clear and very vivid "true" reds in moments like the dance or even the late scene with Murray in a red sweater, so there's little doubt in my mind that this is a more accurate and nuanced accounting of the palette than the old 1080 version. Reitman discusses color timing for "new, improved" versions in terms of his dad revisiting Stripes , and I'll let his comments speak for themselves. While that particular end of the spectrum is what immediately jumped out to me, other brightly lit outdoor material can offer some nicely bright blues and greens, though as with the older 1080 presentation there are some dowdier brown tones that predominate in some of the interior shots. It should be noted that expectedly the opening optically printed credits sequence and some later opticals can offer substantially decreased clarity and much splotchier looking grain. Grain can be pretty heavy against brighter backgrounds. Fine detail sees the best improvements in some of the more brightly lit outdoor material in midrange and close-up framings. There are a very few minor blemishes that have made it through whatever restoration gauntlet was undertaken.

Meatballs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Meatballs features two audio options, an Original Theatrical Mono (restored) track in DTS-HD Master Audio Mono and a 2025 English Stereo Mix in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. I actually personally preferred the mono, which sounds a bit louder and more focused to me, but both tracks deliver all of the goofy dialogue, silly sound effects and Elmer Bernstein's charming score without any issues. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

Meatballs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: Both the 4K and 1080 discs in this package sport the same slate of supplements. Commendably the 4K UHD disc offers the three newly produced interviews in 4K and HDR. The trailers are also offered in 4K and SDR on the 4K disc.

• Ivan Reitman: Head Counselor (UHD/HD; 11:36) is a sweet reminiscence by Reitman's son Jason.


• The Sound of Summer (UHD/HD; 7:36) looks at (listens to?) the score by Elmer Bernstein. This features Jason Reitman and Bernstein's son Peter offering more memories.


• Establishing Shot with Jason Reitman (UHD/HD; 10:46) talks about revisiting this film in 4K.


• Casting Camp (Original 1978 Meatballs Casting Sessions) (HD; 16:05)


• Legacy Special Features

Summer Camp: The Making of Meatballs (HD; 48:06)




Audio Commentary with Director Ivan Reitman and Writer / Producer Dan Goldberg




Theatrical Trailer (UHD/HD; 3:10)




Trailer Gallery (UHD/HD; 1:48) offers two more spots.

The Lionsgate Limited SteelBook is enclosed in an O ring slipcover which has a lenticular cover, and perhaps surprisingly given the flirty key art, the part of the image which changes is not the removal of any clothing (this was a PG rated film, after all) and instead plays on the kid with a knife on the crossbeam. The SteelBook has that same key art on the front panel and a fun "reverse" angle on the back panel. The interior panels offer a depiction of the bunkhouse.

Meatballs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lionsgate Limited is offering fans of Meatballs an enjoyable release with both new 4K and 1080 presentations, with several really quite well done and even moving new interviews with the sons of Ivan Reitman and Elmer Bernstein. This film has its own very devoted fan base, and at least for them, this new 4K release comes Recommended.