As the new year unfolds, film enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting lineup of physical media releases. One highlight this week is Martin Scorsese’s underrated classic, “Bringing Out the Dead” (1999), now available in stunning 4K quality. Starring Oscar winner Nicolas Cage, the film centers on a weary paramedic in Hell’s Kitchen during the early 1990s, grappling with burnout and haunted by the ghosts of those he couldn’t save. With a script by Paul Schrader, who previously collaborated with Scorsese on “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull,” the film offers a poignant examination of a man’s internal struggles against the backdrop of a rapidly changing New York City as it approaches the new millennium. Cage has expressed his desire for more recognition of this film in his body of work, making this release an excellent opportunity for audiences to rediscover it.
In the horror genre, Lee Cronin brings a fresh perspective to the “Evil Dead” franchise with “Evil Dead Rise,” which is also receiving a 4K upgrade from Arrow Video. This installment takes the terror from the woods into an urban environment, following a family forced to confront their mother, who becomes possessed by the infamous book of the dead. The film elevates the horror experience, portraying the Deadites in a remarkably chilling manner. The 4K release includes engaging special features such as audio commentaries from Cronin and the cast, insights from makeup designer Luke Polti, and a 2013 short film by Cronin, “Ghost Train.”
Among the week’s most significant releases is a special collection from Kino Lorber that celebrates the beloved “Pink Panther” series. This collection features four films: “The Pink Panther,” “A Shot in the Dark,” “The Pink Panther Strikes Again,” and “Revenge of the Pink Panther.” The inaugural film stars David Niven as the suave jewel thief, The Phantom, who targets the dazzling Pink Panther diamond, only to be thwarted by the hapless Inspector Jacques Clouseau, portrayed by the iconic Peter Sellers. Sellers’ portrayal cemented the character as a comedic legend and laid the foundation for a series that remains a staple of cinema today. Kino Lorber has promised more with the impending release of “The Return of the Pink Panther” next month, making this collection a must-have for fans.
Other notable releases for the week of January 12, 2026, include “Dante’s Peak” (1997, 4K Blu-ray, Kino Lorber), “The Door in the Floor” (2004, Blu-ray, Kino Lorber), the “James Stewart 4-Film Collection” (1940-1962, Blu-ray, Warner Bros.), “K-Pax” (2001, Blu-ray, Kino Lorber), the “Robert Taylor 4-Film Collection” (1950-1956, Blu-ray, Warner Bros.), “The Smashing Machine” (2025, 4K Blu-ray, A24), “Thunderheart” (1992, 4K Blu-ray, Sony Pictures), and “Under Siege” (1992, 4K Blu-ray, Arrow Video).
This week’s releases offer cinematic treasures that celebrate both classic and contemporary storytelling, ensuring that film fans have plenty of exciting options to enhance their collections as they kick off the year.