The 11 best Blu-rays and 4K UHD releases of July 2023

You deserve to take a breather from the summer heat. Enjoy a weekend of AC and Blu-ray with your favourite iced drinks and Blu-ray discs.

There are many great movies coming out in July, such as two Scorsese remakes, an old Hollywood film, or a new Resident Evil movie set on Alcatraz.

If you’re new to this series, here’s how our Blu-ray and 4K curation works: Each month, to help you find your next favorite discs, we curate a list of our most anticipated releases. We haven’t had the opportunity to try these discs just yet, but each of these releases has potential and comes from a label we’ve enjoyed in the past.

We regularly update our list of best Blu-rays, 4K UHD and other discs.

The Blu-ray release of the month for June 2023.

Paramount Pictures

Hugo (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) – July 18

It’s hard to say with confidence why this adaptation of the popular children’s novel Hugo Cabret’s InventionIt flopped on the big screen. It seemed to have everything going for it, from its iconic director (Martin Scorsese) to its cast of popular contemporary stars (Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law) and up-and-coming child actors (Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz). Critics were broadly charmed, culminating with 11 Academy Award nominations — more than any other movie that year.

But the film’s marketing pushed its 3D visuals, and in 2011 3D had a tarnished reputation thanks to an onslaught of post-production 3D that caused headaches at best and nausea at worst. Perhaps the graphics were too adult-looking for kids but childish to adults.

What ever the case may be, Hugo A rethink is overdue. This is, beneath all the childhood intrigue, Scorsese’s movie about movie history — down to a story that entangles Georges Méliès. Through the eyes of kids discovering how film was born, we get a hint of Scorsese’s own origin story. He loves films.

Arrow, responsible for this release seems to love the movie. The set includes many new interviews with the film’s director of photography, its composer, and multiple film historians, critics, and essayists. The package also includes multiple archival featurettes, an audio commentary from an expert in Méliès, and more.

Releases in June 2023: Blu-ray, 4K and other big releases

Criterion Image

Evenings (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) – July 11

Before Soho was a playground for the ultra rich where nights pass with the silence of empty condos accruing value, the neighborhood was home to Manhattan’s artists, weirdos, and weirdo artists. Before Soho was a playground for the ultra rich where nights pass with silence of empty condos accumulating value, it was home to Manhattan’s artists, weirdos and weirdo artists. Evenings, Martin Scorsese authored one of this moment’s best time capsules, which ricochets between a love letter and scathing satire of the scene.

It is the most hilarious movie by a director who was not known for his comedies. This may explain why theatergoers were confused when the film first came out and bought tickets for Invasion USA instead. We are now celebrating an existential story (written by Joseph Minion) that is elliptical and a celebration of Scorsese. Vampire’s Kiss) instead of Chuck Norris’ forgettable anti-communist popcorn cooker.

The Criterion disc includes a production-crew-filled commentary, a behind-the-scenes documentary, and a new conversation between Scorsese and writer Fran Lebowitz — which sure sounds like a follow-up to their collaboration on Netflix’s Pretend It’s a City.

Two funny, underappreciated Martin Scorsese tributes in a month? This must be Christmas.

Dana Hawley/Lionsgate

Is God with you? It’s Me, Margaret (Blu-ray + Digital) – July 11

When people say that Hollywood sure doesn’t make movies like it used to, you should respond, “But have you seen What’s up God? It’s Me Margaret?” Kelly Fremon Craig’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s teenage masterpiece doesn’t just recreate the fashion of the 1970s — it goes for the entire filmmaking aesthetic. She selected actors that looked like humans and who acted as such, instead of celebrities waiting to capture emotional moments in an FYC film.

The film, like the book, tells the story of a teenager dealing with all the heavy teenage stuff: a changing body, an awareness that family is fallible, and the ever-inflating questions of “Why are we here?” and “To whom or what do we offer thanks or rage?”

That this film wasn’t a hit in theaters suggests viewers now associate modest dramedies with streaming and home video. As a theater lover, that’s a shame. At least, this jewel will now be able to find its audience. We can all start campaigning to make the film industry treat Rachel McAdams better.

One Piece Film : Red (Blu-ray) –August 11

Like many anime fans, I’ve always wanted to get into One PieceThe only reason I waited was because I didn’t know where to begin with a project this large. The film I’m about to watch is the one that will answer my question. In our review, Cezary Jan Strusiewicz writes that for all the “nods to One Piece’s past, One Piece Film : Red It is accessible for newcomers. Even people who’ve never seen a single episode of the show or read any of the manga can still follow and enjoy Red. Some of the details will fly over their heads, but the lively story and engaging songs should keep them entertained.”

I’m sold.

For longtime fans, Strusiewicz notes they are in “for something magical.” The disc, released by Crunchyroll, includes a handful of special features and three additional episodes.

Paramount Pictures

Scream VI (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) – July 11

In the ’80s, it felt as if every horror franchise would, if audience interest lasted long enough, shamble into New York City or outer space. Scream was able to survive for two decades in Manhattan. The results aren’t quite what horror fans would expect. Radio Silence, the film team behind this story, plots it like an action-packed movie. Its heroes are (apparently) never too in danger, no matter how many stabs they suffer. This is, paradoxically, the most violent episode of the series, as Ghostface fires a shotgun at close-range into the flesh of a victim.

What is the most popular episode in this series? No. It’s not worth it. For sure.

Image: Toho

Shin Ultraman (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) – July 11

The film was produced by Hideaki Higuchi & Shinji Anno. It is one of the best reboots in history. Shin GodzillaThe film is reimagined from the perspective those responsible for stopping real Kaiju attacks: panicked officials. Its Godzilla isn’t the iconic anthropomorphized pal that’s evolved from the early days of the Showa era. It’s gross and illogical, a rapidly evolving threat to civilization. I recommend you see this film if you haven’t already, because once you see Shin GodzillaIf you are willing to be more inventive and silly, then this is the route for you. Shin Ultraman.

The creators, as with their predecessor, take an iconic Japanese sci-fi figure and create a brand new entry for a whole new audience. What? Shin Godzilla Go Realistic Shin Ultraman embraces its series’ fuzzy nostalgia and cartoonish buoyancy. You want to watch a giant mysterious from the other side of the galaxy kick some massive critters in the face with a dive? This is the movie for you.

This disc contains both Japanese and English versions of the movie.

Arrow

Bruce Lee at Golden Harvest (Blu-ray + Digital) – July 17

Bruce Lee has been a major influence on pop culture for the past two decades. Bruce Lee’s influence is felt around the world, and not only because of the films he appeared in or his charismatic performances. It also extends to his writing and philosophy and the way he led his life.

This U.K. set from Arrow includes his four fantastic martial arts movies — The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Dragon Way “My personal favorite”, You can also find out more about the following: Enter the Dragon —Along with two films never finished that were stitched with what footage was available. Game of Death You can also find out more about the following: Game of Death II.

The 4K disks are universal and should be able to work with any Bluray player. However, this disc is from U.K. so Blu-ray fans will have to use a Blu-ray region-free player. —Pete Volk

To Live and Die in LA (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) – July 18

You’re tired of Hollywood blockbuster action movies and thrillers? William Friedkin was the man behind classics such as The French Connection, SorcererThen, The Exorcist. For a while, watching his ’80s action thriller To Live and Die in LA has been oddly difficult for a movie that stars Willem Dafoe and William Petersen — the rare pairing that merges arthouse and CBS procedural audiences.

This is one of those classic “It’s my last week on the job and I have to solve the case of my life” movies. And its cast is a seven-layer dip of ’80s “that guys,” like Dean Stockwell and John Turturro.

Kino Lorber’s 4K release includes an audio commentary with Friedkin, along with some meaty interviews with the cast and crew. The set also includes a 30 minute documentary about the making of this film.

Criterion Image

A False Step (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) – July 25

Carl Franklin is a director who has directed 4 episodes from each of these series. MindhunterYou can also find out more about the following: Leftovers. But in the ’90s, Franklin established himself as a go-to thriller director with films likeDevil in Blue DressCriterion’s collection was enriched by this addition last year.

A False Step is the epitome of the ’90s thriller that you’d catch on TNT on a lazy Saturday afternoon and wind up watch the whole thing. It’s as thrilling as it is thoughtful, with a grounding performance by Cynda Williams — a feat considering she’s working alongside notorious scenery chewers Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton. It’s important to note that chewing scenery in this type of thriller is necessary. The package includes a 4K HDR disc (good for the film’s heavy use of light and shadow) and a handful of special features, including a new conversation between Thornton and Franklin.

Death Island, Resident Evil (4K UHD + Digital) – July 25

Resident Evil’s live-action movies have a mainstream awareness (if not the most glowing reputation), but in terms of pure schlocky chaos, I’ll always prefer the lesser-seen computer-animated Resident Evil films. They tend to have pitches like “Resident Evil but in an airport.” Death Island may have the most appetizing summary yet: “Resident Evil but on Alcatraz.”

This film is one of the comically challenging narrative challenges that exists between the batshit Resident Evil 6Comparably, the ground Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. For me as a Resident Evil fan, watching a filmmaker connect the two was enough of a reason to watch. There are a number of interesting features on the disc about this R rated splatterfest.

East of Eden (4K UHD + Digital) – Aug. 1

Warner Bros., in celebration of its 100th birthday, has released 4K versions of some of its classic films. It’s hard to pick just one for July, so I didn’t. For Aug. 1, I chose one. (It’s my column; I can break the rules now and then!) You might enjoy this pre-1960s movie featuring John Steinbeck. You probably read Steinbeck’s Grapes of WrathDean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Dean Rebel Without a CauseYou can stream videos on streaming services. But East of Eden You may have missed.

Warner Bros. has consistently produced high-quality restorations. The studio has released 4K Restorations of the film in April. Cool Hand LukeThe movie looks bolder and more vibrant than any film that is set to hit the theaters in 2020. The only disappointment: These discs don’t often come loaded with special features. Then again, they do come with some of the best movies ever made — which I suppose is the whole point.