Summary

• The best 4K movies are not only visually stunning, but they also excel in various aspects like cinematography, production, and plot.
• Films like The Shining, Black Hawk Down, and Blade Runner 2049 showcase the incredible level of detail and clarity that 4K resolution brings to the viewing experience.
• Even genres like horror, war, and animation benefit from the enhanced picture quality of 4K, as seen in movies like The Shining, Black Hawk Down, and Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse.

The best movies to watch in 4K to show off the crystal-clear picture quality of ultra-high-def monitor and smart TVs. In the age of high-definition streaming and 4K Blu-rays, there's no shortage of classic movies, art films, and blockbusters for cinephiles to enjoy at home. Today, this is the closest to a cinematic theater experience for those who'd rather view movies from the comfort of their couch or desk.

The best 4K movies aren't just visual stunners or action-filled hard hitters. Whether through cinematography, choreography, character development, production, scoring, or plot, they are also some of the best movies in their respective genres. Viewed at 4K resolution, these films take on a whole new life. This is not only true for movies with big-budget action scenes, but even for smaller movies and horror films that deliver some great moments in high definition.

25 Oppenheimer (2023)

Christopher Nolan's Best Picture Winner

Following Oppenheimer's recent Oscar success, there will be even more people checking out the movie and the 4K presentation is clearly the best home viewing option. Compared to some of Nolan's other movies, it could be assumed by some that Oppenheimer wouldn't necessarily benefit from a better picture quality as so much of the movie is about conversations between characters. However, that is ignoring the epic way in which Nolan stages those riveting conversations, including how he pushed his filmmaking style ahead even more.

[A] stunning display of the movie's quieter moments and the pulse-pounding ones.

For Oppenheimer, Nolan shot on a combination of IMAX cameras and 16mm as well as using IMAX for black-and-white photography. The result is a stunning display of the movie's quieter moments and the pulse-pounding ones as the black-and-white flashbacks are equal to the stunning sequence of the bomb test.

24 Ford V Ferrari (2019)

The True Story Of A Racing Showdown

One of the best car movies and based on an incredible true story, Ford v Ferrari puts the audience in the driver's seat of some intense races. The Best Picture nominee is set in the 1960s following the showdown between the dominating Ferrari organization and the sport's new hopefuls, Ford Motor Company as they compete in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

Director James Mongold sought to create a grounded and authentic look for the races, using CGI very sparingly and mostly to hide wires and tracks used by the filmmaking crew. The various rigs and filming vehicles used for the racing sequences help to create an engrossing 4K experience that is one of the best representations of a high-speed car race ever put on film.

23 The Road Warrior (1981)

The Dystopian Action Sequel

While there is some debate whether Mad Max: Fury Road is actually the better Mad Max movie, the first sequel in the dystopian action franchise is the better 4K upgrade of the two. After Mad Max was a hit in Australia and gained some international notice, The Road Warrior made Mad Max an action icon while also creating one of the wildest and most impressive action movies of all time.

The vehicular stunts in George Miller's movie are impressive no matter what format they are viewed in, but there is certainly an overwhelming sense of awe witnessing the mayhem on the road in stunning 4K. Even the barren wasteland of the movie's settings is more impressive with the better colors and details of 4K.

22 Jaws (1975)

Steven Spielberg's Invention Of The Summer Blockbuster

Steven Spielberg elevated the killer shark movie with Jaws while also creating what is often seen as the first summer blockbuster. While there might be any way of recreating the feeling of seeing Jaws on the big screen on opening weekend in 1975, the 4K upgrade of the movie reminds audiences of the chilling effectiveness of the Hollywood classic.

From the iconic opening scene, the movie throws audiences into the water with a hungry shark circling below. Spielberg maintains that tension and excitement throughout while the restoration of the movie presents the beautiful 4K look in a way that further cements it as a masterpiece of filmmaking.

21 Parasite (2019)

The South Korean Best Picture-Winning Thriller

To date, Parasite is the only non-English language movie to win Best Picture and the acclaim is well-deserved. South Korean auteur Bong Joon-ho creates a gripping thriller with its gradual dark and foreboding tones coming through beautifully in a 4K presentation. The movie builds tension not only through its unpredictable story but also through the changing visual language of the movie. The architecture of the movie as well as the various locations communicate as much about the message of class divide as the movie's brilliant screenplay does.

20 The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick's Iconic Stephen King Adaptation

The advent of 4K is a boon for extremely detail-oriented movies, such as Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, and this 4K remaster in a new 1.78:1 ratio shows it off in all its iconic glory. For the work of a filmmaker famed for his hyper-specificity when it comes to the look of his movies, a fitting level of perfection goes into keeping the vivid colors of the wild story alive while making the Overlook Hotel itself seem so real.

It also presents the opportunity to fully see the extent of the stunning detail captured by the original 35mm photography by taking the picture settings out of movie mode, though this may seem blasphemous for some cinephiles.

19 Black Hawk Down (2001)

Ridley Scott's War Masterpiece

The modern war movie, Black Hawk Down, is undoubtedly one of the best 4K movies. The incredibly accurate war movie was shot in 35mm and given a 4K remaster through a digital intermediate, and the results couldn't have been more stunning. Clarity and detail have received a substantial boost, which includes noticeably gritty film grain and horrifically realized gore.

The HDR also helps the movie pop, whether it be the sandy browns, lush blues of the water, or the deep red of the blood. Shot by Ridley Scott, this movie delivers a terrifying look at war and the quality of the 4K helps immerse viewers into the horrors of the story.

18 Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Denis Villeneuve's Sequel To The 1982 Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Any movie shot by Roger Deakins is bound to be beautiful, and Blade Runner 2049 is certainly no exception. The movie was shot digitally, so there's no "warm" film grain that movie enthusiasts adore. However, this takes nothing away from one of the best 4K movies in the sci-fi category.

Blade Runner 2049 was shot at 3.4K and mastered at 4K, and the clarity of the sci-fi visuals is astounding. Faces and environmental artifacts are stunningly clear and detailed, and the HDR is simply extraordinary. Blade Runner 2049 is one of the most colorful movies of the 2010s, and its apocalyptic, futuristic setting pops off the screen in this version.

17 Speed Racer (2008)

The Wachowski Sister's Most Overlooked Movie

It may not be as famous as many other anime adaptations, but the live-action adaptation of Speed Racer nonetheless is deserving of a place alongside the best 4K movies. The Wachowski sisters achieved the unique action of Speed Racer by using Phantom and Sony cameras and Zeiss lenses, which allowed them to perform a revolutionary shooting technique.

Indeed, many of Speed Racer's scenes were shot with layered film, which allowed for both objects in the front and back of the camera to be in full focus — like a real cartoon. It's a visual feat that is best experienced in glorious 4k.

16 Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse (2018)

Sony Introduces The World To Miles Morales

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse ranks highly among the best 4K movies for those who want to show off their new monitor's capabilities. Even for those who aren't hugely into superheroes, this is one of the best cinematic experiences for a 4K setup. Textures show a noticeable improvement over the standard Blu-ray, and the movie's unique animation style looks even better in 4K HDR owing to the sharper lines and greater contrast.

The Spider-Man suit receives a small boost in color pop, and the psychedelic climactic sequence proves unbelievable in HDR. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse makes a strong case for why many of the greatest animated movies need 4K versions.

15 The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001–2003)

Peter Jackson's Epic Middle-Earth Trilogy

The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy was a landmark moment in blockbuster cinema that redefined what most believed to be possible in the fantasy genre. Another testament to the depth of detail that can be captured by relatively humble 35mm photography, The Lord of the Rings trilogy in 4K not only makes the 20-year-old movies look as fresh as their digitally shot prequels from the 2010s but unlocks a whole new level of detail for viewers to discover in the meticulously designed costumes and sets.

These are undoubtedly some of the best 4K movies, and there's no better way to experience Middle-earth during the Third Age.

14 The Revenant (2015)

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Oscar-Winning Western

Any list of the best 4K movies would be remiss without the first movie that finally allowed actor Leonardo DiCaprio to win an Oscar for Best Actor. The Revenant was released on 4K in April 2016, making it one of the first adopters of the new home video format. The movie was shot using ALEXA XT, ALEXA M, and ALEXA 65 cameras, resulting in a truly spectacular image. The detail is stunning, especially in the movie's more grotesque sequences, and the HDR contrast and color grading are simply phenomenal.

13 Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019)

Godzilla's Rogues Gallery Returns To The Big Screen

King of the Monsters is one of the best 4K movies as the 4K version is substantially different from the standard HD release.

Undeniably stunning in HDR, Godzilla: King of Monsters is another testament to the epic detail that can be produced by utilizing the ALEXA 65. King of the Monsters is one of the best 4K movies as the 4K version is substantially different from the standard HD release, even being classifiable as an entirely different experience.

The detail of everything, from wallpaper to hair and makeup, seems so much more real in 4K, not to mention what it does to the actual monsters of the movie. HDR adds a surprisingly needed degree of shadow whilst not taking anything away from the bright primary colors that make up the movie's overall aesthetic.

12 The Martian (2015)

Ridley Scott's Sci-Fi Movie Starring Matt Damon

It seems as if 2015 was the year of movies proving their worth in 4K. Along with The Revenant, Ridley Scott's The Martian was released to widespread critical acclaim and jaw-dropping intensity on 4K. The terrain of Mars is richly detailed, allowing each grain of sand to remain focused with incredible clarity. The Martian red and orange also pops thanks to HDR. Facial features, environmental props and sets, and Matt Damon's spacesuit all look spectacular in one of the best 4K movies. The Martian is a definite technical showpiece, both in terms of visual effects and 4K home viewing.

11 Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

The Sixth Movie In The Mission: Impossible Franchise

The death-defying stunt work that went into Mission: Impossible – Fallout is made all the more impressive by its capturing in 35mm photography, scanned into 4K for an immersive action movie experience that's best appreciated in Dolby Vision HDR.

As is the case with many of the best 4K movies, the harsh brightness of certain scenes in the HD version is greatly softened in the 4K release, and it allows sequences, particularly near the beginning of the movie, to look much more natural. With the locations and stunts being of such a high quality across the board, it would be a shame to see Fallout any other way.

10 Joker (2019)

Batman's Villain Gets His An R-Rated Movie

Joker was one of 2019's most popular movies, and it received a stellar 4K release. Joker was filmed in 5.8K through ARRIRAW and downscaled to 4K through a digital intermediate for mastering. The clarity is outstanding, allowing every single detail to stand clear and pronounced, including props, facial features, and clothing. The Dolby Vision also helps color pop amid the intentionally dreary physical design of the film, including Arthur's red suit, green hair, and clown makeup. Because of how its cinematography expertly conveys the movie's overarching themes, Joker is definitely among the best 4K movies.

9 Logan (2017)

The End Of The Road For The X-Men's Wolverine

Many superhero films look great in 4K, but few look as great as Logan. Logan was filmed on a variety of cameras for different effects, including ARRI Alexa XT Plus' with some visual effects shot being in 4K. The detail is sharp throughout, and the picture is both incredibly clear and pristine. The movie also receives a visual boost thanks to the HDR, which provides a more nuanced color palette. The climactic sequence in the woods looks particularly gorgeous, especially in the contrast between the green trees and blue skies.

8 Dunkirk (2017)

Christopher Nolan's Epic War Movie

It's breathtaking and a must-own for anyone wishing to experience the difference between a standard and 4K TV.

Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk was filmed on gorgeous 65mm, and the results are simply mind-blowing. It's also not surprising that one of the best 4K movies was made by a literal film fanatic like Nolan. In fact, Nolan personally oversaw the mastering of this release. With so many huge battlefield scenes, the 4K sound and image really brought home the scope of the movie.

Home viewers would be hard-pressed to find a movie as clear and detailed as this, thanks in large part to the source 65mm film. It's breathtaking and a must-own for anyone wishing to experience the difference between a standard and 4K TV.

7 Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

Michelle Yeoh's Mindbending Multiverse Adventure

Apart from how it won seven Academy Awards, Everything Everywhere All At Once is one of the best 4K movies for showing off the capabilities of the ARRI ALEXA Mini and the ARRI ZEISS Master Prime. Famous for being made at a low budget compared to most other Oscar-hogging films, co-directors the Daniels reportedly also used the first consumer-grade probe lens, the Venus Optics Laowa Probe. Everything came together to showcase the masterful choreography, graphics, costumes, and set design of this one-of-a-kind deep dive into the multiverse.

6 Black Panther (2018)

The Highest-Rated MCU Movie

Not only did Black Panther win three of Marvel Studios' first-ever Oscar Awards, but it's also among the best 4K movies for its detailed and vibrant Afro-futuristic vision of Wakanda. The Sony Alta Venice is paired with the Panavision T-Series and Ultra Panatar to produce some of the most visually stunning scenes in all of the MCU. From the costumes and set design to the compelling drama and action, Black Panther is definitely one of the best films to showcase what's possible with 4K.