The Jungle Book 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Jungle Book 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

NOTE: All screenshots on this page are sourced from the included Blu-ray and are not representative of this 4K disc. For an additional 40 screenshots sourced from the Blu-ray, please refer to the review linked below.

Perhaps one of Disney's only worthwhile live-action remakes, Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book arrives on 4K just over four years past its excellent Blu-ray counterpart. Although the film's original source makes this an upscale rather than a true 4K release, the added benefit of HDR color grading and a new Dolby Atmos track creates an attractive upgrade for established fans with the right setup. It's also available as a Best Buy exclusive Steelbook for a limited time.

The Jungle Book 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Once again presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, The Jungle Book looks quite impressive in 4K. Although shot in a higher resolution, the film's staggering amount of visual effects necessitated a 2K digital intermediate so this 2160p transfer is technically an upscale. The increased resolution doesn't always yield a night-and-day difference from its Blu-ray counterpart but is clearly tighter and generally more refined in direct comparison, while the visual effects still blend pretty seamlessly with the live-action footage. (Those with extremely large displays may be able to pick out a few stray exceptions.) Shadow detail and textures, both exemplary in the Blu-ray's 1080p transfer, are just as strong here if not likewise a little more well-defined. The main differences here, of course, stem from the 4K disc's effective use of HDR color grading, which breathes new life into scenes that already looked great to begin with. Lush greens and layered earth tones are more robust thanks to subtle variances and tighter saturation, as well as other standouts like the intense warmth of fire against darker backgrounds and the cold blue-gray of nighttime and overcast scenes. The depth afforded by better color gradation, not to mention the tangible "wow" factor of its more vibrant hues, earns this HDR10 presentation very high marks upon first glace and closer inspection. Quite simply, this is excellent work.

The Jungle Book 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The default Dolby Atmos track is a superb effort that builds upon its already-great 7.1 mix. Overall immersion and sonic impact remain roughly the same "on the ground", as The Jungle Book features no shortage of channel pans, discrete effects, and wide separation that establish a convincing atmosphere in a variety of settings. The new height channels introduce a very organic second level to the experience; obvious standouts include Mowgli's meeting with the deadly Kaa, the water buffalo stampede and raging river escape, hunting for honey, the vertical climb to King Louie's temple, Mowgli's fiery showdown with Shere Khan, and about a half-dozen others. There's a lot more height here than your typical Atmos track, and what's more is that it sounds like a natural extension of an already-great mix that can't help but command a lot of attention. It's also important to note that this was not a hastily-thrown together remix: select theaters played The Jungle Book with an Atmos mix (and Dolby Vision HR, of course) back in 2016...so if you were lucky enough to watch it that way originally, you should feel right at home with this 4K presentation.

Those without Atmos setups will instead get an unfolded Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track. This is more or less identical to the Blu-ray's DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio mix and an outstanding audio experience in its own right. Optional English (SDH) subtitles, as well as a variety of foreign dubs and subs, are also included during the film and extras.

The Jungle Book 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This 4K edition arrives in a standard keepcase with matching slipcover and cover artwork identical to the 2016 Blu-ray. All extras are found on the included Blu-ray disc and are similarly identical to that previous release. They are listed below for posterity, but a more detailed description of each can be found at the linked Blu-ray review.

• The Jungle Book Reimagined (1080p, 35:02)

• I Am Mowgli (1080p, 8:18)

• King Louie's Temple: Layer by Layer (1080p, 3:14)

• Audio Commentary with director Jon Favreau

The Jungle Book 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book is rare example of Disney doing a remake right, and its high production values translate well to home video. This 4K edition ups the ante with a slightly more refined transfer than the 2016 Blu-ray, but the addition of HDR10 color grading and a stunning Dolby Atmos track are the real draw for those with higher-end setups. Extras remain the same, making this an easy upgrade for fans and a great jumping-on point for newcomers.