June might be when summer kicks into high gear, but it’s also shaping up to be a dangerous month for Blu-ray collectors like me. The upcoming Blu-ray release schedule is particularly impressive, with several classics getting the 4K treatment and a few unexpected treasures finally making their way to high-definition. Let me walk you through the titles that have me counting down the days until their release.
Brazil (1985)
Format: 4K Blu-ray & Blu-ray
Label: Criterion Collection
Leading my most-anticipated list is Brazil in 4K from the Criterion Collection. Terry Gilliam’s darkly comic vision of a bureaucratic dystopian future has likely never looked better than it will in this new 4K restoration. The film’s intricate production design and surrealist visuals deserve this meticulous treatment, and Criterion’s typically comprehensive special features will undoubtedly provide new insights into this cult classic. The nightmare of paperwork errors and faceless bureaucracy remains disturbingly relevant today.
Dirty Work (1998)
Format: 4K Blu-ray & Blu-ray
Label: Vinegar Syndrome
The late, great Norm Macdonald’s hilarious Dirty Work is getting a well-deserved and extensive 4K release from Vinegar Syndrome. This criminally underappreciated comedy about two friends starting a revenge-for-hire business features Macdonald’s dry, deadpan delivery at its finest. While it didn’t set the box office on fire when it was released, its quotable lines and absurdist humor have earned it a devoted following over the years. Having this film preserved in such a feature-rich 4K edition — including a reassembly of the long lost “Dirtier Cut” — feels like a fitting tribute to Macdonald’s unique comic genius.
I Married A Strange Person (1997)
Format: Blu-ray
Label: Deaf Crocodile Films
Independent animation fans have reason to celebrate with the release of I Married A Strange Person from niche label Deaf Crocodile. Bill Plympton’s distinctively hand-drawn adult animation style is on full display in this bizarre and hilarious tale of a newlywed who develops strange powers after a beam from a satellite hits him. Plympton’s signature stretchy, morphing animation technique perfectly serves this surreal comedy. It’s about time this underground classic got a proper Blu-ray release.
Jaws (1975)
Format: 4K Blu-ray & Blu-ray & Digital Code (50th Anniversary Steelbook)
Also Available: Standard 4K Blu-ray & Blu-ray & Digital Code)
Label: Universal Pictures
Has it really been 50 years? Jaws gets a special 50th Anniversary Steelbook 4K release from Universal Pictures that’s sure to be a collector’s item. Steven Spielberg’s breakthrough film continues to terrify new generations, and this special edition packaging includes the “Jaws @ 50” retrospective examining the film’s enduring impact on cinema and our collective fear of what lurks beneath the water. The film that invented the summer blockbuster deserves this golden anniversary celebration.
All of Me (1984)
Format: Blu-ray & Digital Code
Label: Lionsgate / Vestron
The delightful All of Me finally makes its way to Blu-ray from Lionsgate via their Vestron Collector’s Series label. This 1984 gem features Steve Martin at the height of his comedic powers as a lawyer whose body is partially possessed by the spirit of a deceased woman (Lily Tomlin). Martin’s physical comedy skills shine as he portrays a man with half his body controlled by a woman’s spirit. Director Carl Reiner crafted the perfect vehicle for Martin’s talents, and the chemistry between Martin and Tomlin makes this one of the most underrated comedies of the 1980s.
A Minecraft Movie (2025)
Format: 4K Blu-ray & Digital Code
Also Available: Blu-ray & Digital Code, 4K Steelbook & Digital Code, or “Collector’s Crafting Table” Walmart Exclusive Blu-ray & DVD & Digital Code)
Label: Warner Bros.
The box office hit A Minecraft Movie will be available to bring home in 4K from Warner Bros. While video game adaptations have a checkered history, this one managed to capture the creative spirit of the game while crafting a story that appeals to both fans and newcomers alike. The blocky aesthetic translated surprisingly well to the big screen, and the film’s themes of creativity and cooperation reflect the game’s enduring appeal. The 4K version should perfectly preserve the film’s vibrant color palette.
Dark City (1998)
Format: 4K Blu-ray
Also Available: Blu-ray
Label: Arrow Films
The visually stunning Dark City receives a long-awaited 4K release from Arrow Video. Alex Proyas’ neo-noir science fiction masterpiece about a man who discovers the nightmarish truth about his reality predated The Matrix in exploring similar philosophical territory. The film’s striking visual style, blending German Expressionism with future-noir aesthetics, will benefit tremendously from the 4K format. This underappreciated gem deserves to be rediscovered by a new generation of viewers, and this expansive new set includes both the theatrical and director’s cuts, new commentaries including one by Proyas, as well as the classic (and rare) commentary by the late film critic Roger Ebert.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Format: 4K Blu-ray & Digital Code
Label: Warner Bros.
The action-comedy Lethal Weapon gets the 4K treatment from Warner Bros., bringing Riggs and Murtaugh’s first adventure to Ultra HD. Richard Donner’s film established the template for countless buddy cop movies to follow, but few matched the chemistry between Mel Gibson’s unhinged Riggs and Danny Glover’s reluctant Murtaugh. The film’s blend of genuine character development, humor, and impressively staged action sequences set a high bar for the genre. This 4K release should make the film’s action scenes more explosive than ever.
Road Trip (2000)
Format: 4K Blu-ray & Blu-ray
Label: Kino Lorber
The raunchy DreamWorks college comedy Road Trip arrives in 4K from Kino Lorber. This early 2000s comedy about four friends traveling cross-country to retrieve an accidentally mailed sex tape captured the gross-out comedy trend of its era. While some of its humor might feel dated, there’s an undeniable nostalgic charm to revisiting this snapshot of early 2000s comedy. The 4K format might be more detail than this film needs, but completists will appreciate having it in their collection.
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
Format: 4K Blu-ray & Digital
Label: Vinegar Syndrome
The quintessential 1980s coming-of-age drama St. Elmo’s Fire gets upgraded to 4K from Sony Pictures. This Joel Schumacher-directed film features the core members of the “Brat Pack” as recent college graduates navigating early adulthood. While the film’s portrayal of post-college life might seem quaint today, there’s something eternally relatable about the characters’ struggles with identity and responsibility. The film’s distinctive 1980s aesthetic, from the fashion to the music, should pop in 4K resolution.
These June releases span decades and genres, but they all share one quality: they’re films that deserve to be preserved in the highest quality possible. Whether you’re a physical media devotee like me or just someone who appreciates having permanent access to your favorite films, June offers plenty of reasons to make some shelf space.
Which of these releases are you most excited about? Are there any I’ve overlooked that should be on my radar? The comments section awaits your recommendations.
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