Night of the Living Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Night of the Living Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

"They're us. We're them... and they're us."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown September 26, 2025

Director Tom Savini and screenwriters George Romero and John A. Russo's 1990 'Night of the Living Dead' remake -- not to be confused with Romero's original 1968 black-and-white horror classic, currently available via a terrific Criterion 4K UltraHD edition -- was first released on Blu-ray by Twilight Time in 2012 by way of a Screen Archives Entertainment exclusive limited edition BD that, unfortunately, didn't feature very good picture quality. Much later, in 2018, Sony acquired the rights to the film and issued its own version; this one remastered and faring better than its Twilight Time predecessor. Now Sony lumbers back into view with a new, highly anticipated 4K UltraHD edition that, sweet God, looks fantastic. (And sounds pretty good too.) Moreover, it arrives with two cuts of the film (theatrical and uncensored) and a slew of extras, making for one helluva highly recommended SteelBook release. The film stars Tony Todd, Bill Moseley, Katie Finneran, Tom Towles, Patricia Tallman, William Butler and Heather Mazur.

"The scientific community is focusing on the phenomenon. Specifically on the trance-like state that seems to characterize the assailants. Clearly a behavioral disorder. But what could've caused so widespread and dramatic a condition as the one we're facing tonight? We've heard speculation on everything from the Ozone layer and chemical weapons to, uh... voodoo mysticism and organisms from space. A biologist in Stockton, California, has released reports, stating the, uh... bodies of the recently dead are returning to life, driven by an unknown force which enables the brain to continue to function. Doctors at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta reject that theory, calling it preposterous beyond belief. They feel that the only reasonable explanation is a germ that has a mind-altering effect on its victims. Though how such a germ could've been spread so quickly and across such a vast area, does remain a mystery. It's being called "Judgement Day" by religious leaders..."

Barbara (Patricia Tallman) and her brother Johnny (Bill Moseley) visit a cemetery in the countryside to pay their respects to their deceased mother. Suddenly, a ravenous creature -- a gray-skinned man we'll quickly learn is just one member of a horde of the shambling undead, recently returned to some semblance of life with an insatiable hunger for human flesh -- attacks and kills Johnny. Barbara flees to a nearby farmhouse and meets Ben (the late Tony Todd!), who helps her begin to secure both doors and windows. However, Barbara and Ben aren't the only people who've sought shelter. They soon unite with other survivors: shellshocked married couple Harry (Tom Towles) and Helen (McKee Anderson), their injured daughter Sarah (Heather Mazur, playing the role of the film's Chekhov's gun), and a much younger couple, Tom (William Butler) and Judy Rose (Katie Finneran). After arguing over how best to survive the zombie onslaught, the newly formed band of humans begin to barricade the house and prepare for the long, long night ahead.

Click here to read Jeffrey Kauffman's analysis of what some critics have labeled an unnecessary remake, which he explains "was almost universally panned upon its theatrical release" despite "having developed its own rather rabid fan following." He calls the film "undeniably a lot of fun," with some of Romero's revisions registering as "improvements." Adding, however, that the result is "a considerably more glossy affair than the original," which "unfortunately does not work completely to the concept's betterment."

Night of the Living Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Argue if you'd like, but I think Savini's Night of the Living Dead's 4K remaster and 2160p video transfer look terrific, regardless of which cut of the film you select. Colors are subdued but effective, with lifelike hues, naturally saturated skintones, limited but vibrant primaries, and satisfying contrast levels. Blacks aren't always entirely inky but that's in keeping with the original cinematography, which favors stylized, front-lit darkness over more convincing aesthetics. Shadows are nevertheless oppressive and suitably frightening, and delineation doesn't falter, with all of Savini and his team's details earning time in the spotlight. (That doesn't always help necessarily, as the director is still working his way towards the brilliant and sloppy grossout gore of his later career efforts, but even at its most restrained, it isn't outright disappointing.) Likewise, detail delivers with clean edges free of ringing and overly aggressive sharpening, beautifully resolved fine textures that make almost every closeup a striking one (hair, freckles, tattered clothing and all), and a welcome helping of vintage elements that aren't hindered by the scrutiny of a 4K presentation. The source master and resulting encode hold their own as well, without signs of print damage of any kind, or any blocking, banding or errant noise. Grain has been preserved yet never grows overwhelming, lending a reserved but filmic appearance to the image.

Night of the Living Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sony's Dolby Atmos experience (and subsequent Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core) would join the video presentation with a 5.0 score were it not for a few oddball moments that don't quite make the grade. Whether there's a small handful of mistakes at play -- and I stress small, there aren't a lot -- or the original audio elements proved too problematic on a few occasions to fully resolve, there are brief shots accompanied by wet, almost spongy sonics that can't seem to decide which direction they're meant to come from. It's not a deal breaker by any means. Most people won't even notice unless you were to point it out and replay it several times (visit our forum for specific examples from members), but those with an ear for such things will surely catch such hiccups. Otherwise, everything is as it should be. Better even. Dialogue is clear, intelligible, and proficiently prioritized throughout the movie, supporting elements and ambient effects are solidly grounded in the mix and approach and retreat accurately, and the soundfield is fairly immersive for a lower budgeted '90s production. LFE output has some oomph too, particularly as zombies smash and crash their way into the farmhouse. Gunfire isn't weak, hammering is hefty and the pounding fists of the undead make the survivors' shelter seem oh so penetrable.

Night of the Living Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Two Versions of the Film (HD) - Sony's 4K UltraHD Blu-ray release features two cuts of the film -- its original theatrical version and, for the first time, an uncensored cut -- both of which are presented in 4K with Dolby Atmos audio on Disc One and in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround on Disc Two.

• Audio Commentary - Director Tom Savini supplies a commentary for both cuts of the movie. The theatrical track was previously available in 2012 and 2018, while the uncensored commentary is new.

• Savini's Night (HD, 28 minutes) - A 2016 interview with Savini.

• Being Barbara (HD, 16 minutes) - Actress Patricia Tallman sits down for an interview the same year.

• Oh Brother! (HD, 12 minutes) - Actor Bill Moseley via a fresh 2025 interview.

• Return to the Living Dead (HD, 21 minutes) - 2016 interview with special makeup effects supervisors John Vulich and Everett Burrell, who have plenty to say on all things gross and gory.

• Time with Tom (HD, 16 minutes) - Actor William Butler discusses his experience in a 2025 interview.

• Flesh and Blood (HD, 24 minutes) - 2025 chat with actors McKee Anderson and Heather Mazur.

• In Living Dead Color (HD, 18 minutes) - More 2025 goodness, this time with producers John Russo and Russell Streiner.

• Cutting the Dead (HD, 20 minutes) - A newly recorded interview with editor Tom Dubensky.

• The Dead Speak! (HD, 17 minutes) - Chit-chat with zombie actors Greg Funk and Dirk Ashton, again in 2025.

• The Dead Walk (SD, 25 minutes) - The only vintage extra, a turn-of-the-century making-of featurette.

• Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2 minutes)

Night of the Living Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I actually quite enjoy Savini's 1990 remake, especially after closing my eyes and willing myself to "forget" Romero's original film, if only for two hours. It comes down to Tallman and Todd's performances for me. Todd is a master and Tallman is, in this writer's humble opinion, a far more compelling Barbara than her predecessor. (Don't shoot the messenger.) It remains a lesser horror movie overall, and you can certainly spot all the places where Savini is cutting his teeth as a filmmaker, but it's worth a watch and, as cult films go, worth adding to your collection... which is made that much easier thanks to Sony's 4K UltraHD Blu-ray release. Outclassing both previous Blu-rays, the new edition features a top-notch remaster, remarkably strong and faithful video, solid Dolby Atmos audio, SteelBook packaging, and a huge assortment of new and often newly produced extras, among them two cuts of the film, two commentaries and a bevy of cast and crew interviews (with just about everyone of note, other than the late Tony Todd). Give it a whirl, particularly if you own one of the previous Blu-rays and are hopeful for a sizeable upgrade.