The Frighteners Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

The Frighteners Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 12, 2026

What's your favorite Peter Jackson film? For many, it would probably be one of the Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy offerings (in any of those movies' editing configurations), though some cultists might opt for Dead Alive or Heavenly Creatures. Though I offered reviews of the two aforementioned standalone films (i.e., not part of a "franchise"), and gave pretty high marks to both of them, I am unabashedly and unapologetically fond of The Frighteners in ways that I simply am not with regard to Jackson's many other projects. The Frighteners has an appealing "high concept", and it offered an early taste of the special effects blandishments that Jackson and the then nascent Wētā Digital would be offering filmgoers. The story (review link below with a plot summary) is both daffy and surprisingly emotionally complex, and while Michael J. Fox's performance is maybe just a bit too tic filled, the supporting cast is aces and both the humor and horror resonate extremely well throughout. Arrow is offering both standalone 4K UHD and 1080 formats, with two cuts of the main feature on the title disc (in either 4K or 1080 as the case may be), but (in both resolutions) additional 1080 discs with even more material, including an "open matte" version of the film.

The Frighteners received a 1080 disc in 2011 courtesy of Universal Studios in a 15th Anniversary Edition, and our The Frighteners Blu-ray review provides plot information, a list of supplements and a reaction to the technical presentation.

The Frighteners Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Arrow sent a check disc for purposes of this 1080 review, but a full retail final set for purposes of the The Frighteners 4K Blu-ray review . I'm assuming that per Arrow's standard operating procedure, the packaging, including the insert booklet, is the same for both resolutions.

The Frighteners is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1 of both the Theatrical Cut and Director's Cut. An AVC encoded 1080p open matte presentation is also offered on a separate disc. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information about the presentations:

The Frighteners is presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The Theatrical Cut is presented with original 2.0 stereo and two versions of the 5.1 mix, the original cinema mix and the home video mix. The Director's Cut is presented with the original 2.0 stereo, the 5.1 home video mix, and a Dolby Atmos mix. On the 4K UHD release, the film is presented in 4K resolution in HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

Alternative open matte 1.78:1 versions of both cuts of the film are presented in high definition.

The Frighteners was restored by Turbine Medien GmbH with the approval of director Peter Jackson.

All restored masters were supplied by NBC Universal.

Additional audio restoration was completed by & Deluxe.

The old 1080 presentation from Universal Studios got almost tip top marks in the video department in our original review, and so massive improvements may not be expected here, but there are some noticeable differences between both Arrow's 1080 SDR and this 4K UHD releases, especially in terms of color timing. As is my standard operating procedure, I've attempted to duplicate at least a few of the screenshots from the original review so that those interested can do side by side comparisons, but Arrow's releases look considerably cooler and darker at times than the old Universal release, which, at least by comparison, can look skewed toward reds and with a somewhat flushed hue. While these differences are overtly noticeable here "even" in 1080 and SDR, they are understandably even more noticeable in Arrow's standalone 4K UHD release. There's now an emphasis throughout on cooler blues and grays, something that helps to support the misty, rainy New Zealand locations. Aside from that general observation, the palette looks natural and very nicely suffused, and even little pops of color like Frank's yellow car or some of the brightly colored dresses some of the supporting women characters wear are quite vivid. Detail levels are often very expressive, even in some of the "spectral" material, though I wouldn't argue there's a gigantic uptick in fine detail when compared to old Universal release. Grain is commendably tight throughout, even in the many special effects scenes.

Note: I've uploaded a few screenshots from the open matte version in positions 21 through 25, for those interested.

The Frighteners Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Frighteners may frankly cause a bit of a scare in audiophiles due to the glut of choices offered throughout the various cuts and aspect ratios. Per the verbiage in Arrow's insert booklet reprinted above, he Director's Cut has Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (Director's Cut Home Video Mix) and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 options, while the Theatrical Cut has two DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks (Theatrical Mix or Home Video Mix) and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Somewhat similarly to some of the differences between the original theatrical cut and director's cut of the actual film, the theatrical 5.1 mix is arguably a bit more reserved than the home video mix in terms of directionality and wide surround imaging, and the home video mix is also more forceful in the midrange and (especially) low end, something that becomes more noticeable during some of the more chaotic scenes featuring poltergeist activities. The Atmos track on the Director's Cut does offer some appealing new spaciousness, beginning with the storm effects at the beginning of the film, but continuing on throughout the many outdoor scenes, where there's a bit more wafting quality to some of the background ambient environmental effects. Danny Elfman's spooky score is very nicely rendered throughout. Dialogue is presented cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Frighteners Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc One

• Theatrical Cut (1:50:02)


• Director's Cut (2:02:35)


• Commentary by Peter Jackson


• Peter Jackson's 10th Anniversary Introduction (HD*; 2:41)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:03)

Disc Two (Open Matte)

• Theatrical Cut (1:50:01)


• Director's Cut (2:02:34)


• Commentary by Peter Jackson


• Peter Jackson's 10th Anniversary Introduction (HD*; 2:41)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:03)

Disc Three (Special Features)

• No Way to Make a Living: A Look Back at The Frighteners (HD; 1:34:51) is a feature length 2022 documentary featuring a ton of interesting and informative interviews.


• The Making of The Frighteners (HD*; 4:31:31) is an even longer, more exhaustive, look at the production in a piece originally produced for the 1998 LaserDisc release of the film.


• A Conversation with Richard Taylor (HD*; 41:21) is a 2022 interview with the film's creature and miniature effects supervisor.


• Image Gallery (HD)

*720

Arrow's insert booklet contains Peter Jackson's 1998 introduction, original production notes and two enjoyable essays, along with the usual production and presentation information. The keepcase sleeve is reversible and packaging also features a slipcover.

The Frighteners Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Frighteners is kind of a callback to the veritable days of yore when distinctive films could be both scary and funny in about equal measure. Universal's old 1080 release was well regarded in its day, but Arrow has once again done fans a service by providing a great looking and sounding new set of transfers, with some very appealing and exhaustive supplements thrown into the mix as well. Highly recommended.