I test 4K Blu-ray for a living, and these are the 4 new discs from August
2026 I'm most looking forward to trying out

Date:
Sun, 09 Aug 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Description:
As TechRadar's 4K Blu-ray tester, I've picked new titles from August 2026
that I'm keen to try out as part of the Blu-ray Bounty.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Another month, another stacked list of 4K Blu-rays. August 2026 looks to have some big releases coming, but Ive decided to narrow it down to my top four picks, all of which Ill be
hoping to get in to test as part of our monthly Blu-ray Bounty feature. This is where we test the best 4K releases from each month, looking at each discs picture and audio quality to see how it can give your home theater a chance
to flex its muscles.

4K Blu-ray is my most used source for testing the best TVs and best soundbars . It offers uncompressed audio and a higher bitrate over 4K streaming, resulting in better picture quality. Not only that, but Im a collector myself and Im always adding new discs to my personal collection. Last month, in my July 2026 most anticipated list , I picked Hard Boiled , The Super Mario Galaxy Movie , Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Hairspray (1988) as my most anticipated discs. I got to test three of these in the July 2026 Blu-ray Bounty, and they all proved to be excellent, with special mention for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie which is in my opinion reference-level quality. Unfortunately, Hard Boiled was delayed in arriving, but Ill be sure to give
it a try and let you know what its like! Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

As Im based in the UK, the following picks are based on 4K Blu-rays set for release in August 2026 here. Just in case the disc is already out in your region, or yet to be released! Project Hail Mary (Amazon MGM Studios) Project Hail Mary - Official Trailer - YouTube Watch On An adaptation of Andy Weirs novel of the same name, Project Hail Mary follows the story of middle school science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), who wakes up on an interstellar spacecraft with no memory of how he got there. The movie is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who also directed The Lego Movie and Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs , and were both involved in the production of the Into the Spider-Verse movies. You may like Here are the 4 new 4K Blu-rays I'm most excited to test in June 2026 I test 4K Blu-ray for a living and these are the 4 discs I'm most looking forward to testing in July 2026 I tested 4 more 4K Blu-rays released in 2026 that are worth adding your collection

Im expecting Project Hail Mary to look superb in 4K. There are plenty of high-contrast shots both in and outside of the Hail Mary that should demonstrate deep blacks balancing with bright highlights. Theres also scope for some seriously bold colors, as well as crisp textures, with 3D-like textures in both people and environments, such as the intricate textures of the various parts and consoles of the Hail Mary ship.

With a Dolby Atmos soundtrack included, Im anticipating plenty of height effects in action. With the wide scope of the ship and space setting, there should be opportunities for the Dolby Atmos mix to showcase plenty of detail and texture, as well as a chance to hear some accurately mapped sound as
well, as Grace moves around the Hail Mary. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Release date US - August 11 UK - 10th August Today's best Project Hail Mary 4K Blu-ray deals 24.99 Preorder voucher gift 24.99 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Troy (2004) (Arrow Video) Troy | Official Trailer | 4K - YouTube Watch On Loosely based on Homers Iliad , Troy tells the story of the decade-long
Trojan War. When Paris (Orlando Bloom) runs away with married Queen Helen (Diane Kruger), the latters husband and king Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson) declares war on Troy, which is led by Hector (Eric Bana). Meneluas sends a unified Greek army, led by Achilles (Brad Pitt).

Where I think Troy will really shine is with its audio. While theres no Dolby Atmos soundtrack on this disc, there is a DTS-HD 5.1 MA mix and Ive been finding more fantastic-sounding 5.1 MA mixes every month. With large scale battles that should deliver plenty of detail and power, along similar lines
to discs Ive previously reviewed such as Kingdom of Heaven and Gladiator II , Troy could end up as another brilliant-sounding disc that could really push a surround sound system. What to read next 7 discs new 4K Blu-rays to add to your collection from June 2026 I test 4K Blu-rays for a living and these are my 6 picks from Amazon's big sale, including reference-level discs from Disney, Marvel, and 20th Century Studios that I use for AV testing 5 new 4K Blu-rays to add to your collection from May 2026

This 4K restoration is not only presented by Arrow Video, whose 4K Blu-rays are always superb, but is restored from the original 35mm and presented in Dolby Vision. Theres a lot of bold visuals in Troy , including the beautiful environments, vibrant colors and detailed costumes that should look stunning when restored in 4K. Release date US - August 18 UK - 17th August Today's
best Troy 4K Blu-ray deals 24.99 Preorder We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices West Side Story (1961) WEST SIDE STORY (1961) | Official Trailer | MGM - YouTube Watch On Based on the 1957 stage musical of the same name, West Side Story is inspired by Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet , and tells the story of young lovers Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), who are embroiled in the gang war for the Upper West Side between the Jets (Tonys former gang) and the Sharks (of whom Marias brother Bernardo is the current leader).

With Dolby Vision HDR support, this 4K disc of West Side Story should look fantastic. Not only is there the vivid colors of the 1950s aesthetic, but theres plenty of high contrast scenes at night, where dark and bright tones create a nice dynamic range. This 4K disc is presented by Altitude, who released the Some Like It Hot 4K I tested earlier this year and if that disc is anything to go by, this 4K disc should be fantastic.

The musicals Ive tested, such as Wicked and The Sound of Music , have often sounded excellent, especially when Dolby Atmos is supported. West Side Story also supports an Atmos soundtrack, so Im expecting iconic songs such as Maria and Somewhere to sound their very best. With an Atmos soundtrack, theres also scope for detail, such as the shuffling and movement of dancers during choreography to add that extra layer of immersion. Release date US - N/A - no release date yet UK - 17th August Today's best West Side Story (1961) 4K Blu-ray deals 34.99 Preorder We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Mars Attacks! (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Mars Attacks! (1996) Official Trailer #1 - Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan Sci-Fi Comedy - YouTube Watch On Directed by Tim Burton, Mars Attacks! follows the arrival of aliens to Earth, where they meet the President of the United States James
Dale (Jack Nicholson). After a first-contact meeting goes awry, the Martians begin to attack Earth. The movie features an all-star cast including Glenn Close, Annette Benning, Pierce Brosnan, Michael J. Fox and more.

As with all of Burtons movies, Im expecting very vibrant colors, such as
those I saw in Edward Scissorhands . Mars Attacks! has a very gaudy, almost 1960s aesthetic in places that is sure to generate some lovely pop on screen, especially as Dolby Vision is also supported. Ill be curious to see how the CGI of the aliens holds up, but after seeing 1982s Tron on 4K, which made the dated graphics look decent, I have high hopes.

A Dolby Atmos soundtrack is featured on the 4K disc and other than the iconic Ack sounds the Martians make, theres plenty of great audio throughout this movie that could sound great in Dolby Atmos. The sounds of the Martians ray guns should draw some nice detail, explosions should generate some hefty impact and bass and there should be nice height effects in action too.
Release date US - August 11 UK - 31st August August 2026 highlight 4K
releases Below is a select list of 4K Blu-rays set for release in August
2026. Both UK and US releases are featured, with release dates noted. Release dates may vary by region, with some titles yet to be announced for some regions, or they may already be available in others. 4K Blu-ray is
region-free however, so you should be able to order from anywhere. August 3/4 Talladega Nights The People vs Larry Flint School on Fire The Devil Wears Prada (UK) Once Upon A Thief (UK) August 10/11 Project Hail Mary Mars
Attacks! (US - UK: 31st August) Barbarian Clear and Present Danger Michael
JFK Sing Street August 17/18 Troy West Side Story (1961) (UK - US: TBC) Bill
& Teds Bogus Journey (UK) Popeye (1980) Flight Nightcrawler Last Tango in Paris (UK) Hunt for the Wilderpeople (UK) August 25/26 The Pink Panther
(1963) (UK) Disclosure Day Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (US) Practical Magic August 31 The Abominable Snowman The best 4K Blu-ray players for all budgets Our top picks, based on real world testing

Read our full guide to the best 4k Blu-ray players 1. Best overall Panasonic DP-UB820 2. Best budget Sony UBP-X700 3. Best premium Panasonic DP-UB9000 The best TVs for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best TVs 1. Best overall: LG C5 2. Best under 1000: US: Hisense U8QG UK: TCL C7K 3. Best under 500: US: Roku Plus Series
UK: TCL C6K Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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