Why More Family Films Deserve the 4K Ultra HD Treatment
Studios should embrace the format more for this genre so we all can find something to enjoy with our kids.
The 4K Ultra HD format continues to grow, yet one major category remains surprisingly underserved: family films.
When Lionsgate tweeted that the announcement earlier this month that Are You There God It’s Me Margaret?! and it showed quickly - why didn’t the 4k come out already?!
One might ask—why is after the fact and how can we get more family titles onto 4k Ultra HD!
The studios are waking up to blossoming high quality format that is increasingly becoming a main stream playback option more and more.
Sony Pictures has recently shown what is possible by bringing both the animated family adventure GOAT and the Adam Sandler favorite Click to 4K Ultra HD.
While GOAT represents a new generation of family entertainment, Click is exactly the kind of catalog title studios should be revisiting. Sony’s 4K release of Click features a director-approved presentation with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack—giving the nearly 20-year-old film a substantial home-entertainment upgrade. (Click 4K release details)
However, releases like these still feel more like welcome exceptions than part of a consistent studio strategy.
Why haven’t more family films made the jump to 4K?
Family movies are among the most rewatchable titles in any household. Children return to their favorites repeatedly, while parents introduce the films they loved growing up to a new generation. That makes these movies ideal candidates for premium physical editions designed to last.
Lionsgate’s upcoming 4K Ultra HD release of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. offers another encouraging example. More than three years after the film’s original Blu-ray release, this celebrated adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel is finally receiving the premium treatment it deserves, complete with Dolby Vision, HDR and Dolby Atmos. (4K release announcement).
This is precisely the type of film studios should preserve in the highest-quality home format available. It may not feature superheroes, explosions or elaborate visual effects, but its warm cinematography, period details, carefully designed costumes and memorable soundtrack can still benefit tremendously from greater resolution, expanded color and immersive audio.
That is an important point: 4K Ultra HD should not be reserved primarily for action blockbusters, horror films and major franchises.
Disney has continued to support the format with many of its Pixar and animated releases, but family entertainment stretches far beyond animation. Comedies, coming-of-age stories, sports movies, fantasy adventures and live-action favorites all deserve consideration. Parents and collectors would welcome the opportunity to own definitive editions of the movies they watch together.
The format also offers something increasingly valuable in the streaming era: ownership.
Streaming availability can change without warning. Titles move between services, premium features can vary by platform and a family favorite may disappear just when someone wants to watch it. A 4K disc provides a permanent copy with consistent picture and sound quality, attractive packaging and, ideally, a worthwhile collection of supplements.
Physical media can also become part of the experience itself. Choosing a movie from the shelf, opening the case and watching it together feels more intentional than endlessly scrolling through a streaming menu. It gives parents, children, nieces, nephews and cousins something fun to share—and creates memories around the movie itself.
Younger audiences are already embracing physical formats in other areas. Vinyl records have experienced a major resurgence, while CDs, cassettes and other tangible media have found new life with collectors who did not grow up with them. If younger consumers can discover the appeal of owning music, why can’t studios help them discover 4K Ultra HD?
The audience is there. The nostalgia is there. The technology is there.
Studios simply need to recognize that family titles can have value beyond a standard Blu-ray, DVD or temporary spot on a streaming service. A well-restored catalog favorite, an acclaimed modern coming-of-age film or a colorful new animated adventure can become something families proudly add to their collections.
Movies are often passed from one generation to the next. The editions preserving them should be built to last just as long.
Consider this a call to every major studio: bring more family films to 4K Ultra HD. Give these movies beautiful restorations, Dolby Vision or HDR presentations, immersive soundtracks and thoughtful special features. Parents, collectors and the next generation of movie fans are ready for them.