With 4K becoming more common for the average movie-lover to get their hands on, most releases are getting an accompanying 4K Blu-ray release. It's satisfying to watch a great looking movie for the first time on a 4K screen, and science fiction tends to make for some of the best 4K viewing experiences. And so, here are five great 4K sci-fi movies to test out your home-movie setup.
Christopher Nolan's Interstellar Is a Stunning 4K Experience
Christopher Nolan has always been one to make his movies a spectacle, and 2014's Interstellar is no exception. The beautiful, vast shots of space are amazing enough in standard HD, but 4K tends to excel with deep blacks, so this movie definitely shows it off. But it's not just the outer reaches of space that look gorgeous, as each planet, including Earth, has a rich vibrancy and sharpness that contrasts against the darkness of space.
Although, one small downside is that the sound mix doesn't use the typical 7.1 Dolby Atmos, but it does still sound great on a surround-sound setup.
Zack Snyder's Justice League Looks Super in 4K
Earlier this year, Zack Snyder finally got to release his cut and original vision for Justice League. When Joss Whedon took the reins for the 2017 theatrical release, the movie was clearly much brighter than Snyder originally intended, as many shots appeared odd with over-saturated colors. But with Snyder's recent release, the film boasts gorgeously dark and gritty sharpness. And the 4:3 aspect ratio only complements the look, as focus is always drawn to the center detail of the screen.
The 4K Blu-ray also comes with a black-and-white version of the film, which, despite not being recommended for the first-time viewing, definitely offers a unique viewing experience.
Blade Runner 2049's 4K Perfection Can't Be Replicated
Blade Runner 2094 is arguably one of the best looking movies of this decade, if not one of the best looking movies period. Roger Deakins' cinematography, with the gorgeous neon-lights and grim sky, all make for an incredible viewing experience. It's pretty much the perfect movie to test out a 4K TV or projector with, as Blade Runner is full of rich, vibrant colors, as well as deep blacks and greys. And after viewing the movie in 4K, it feels like an insult to watch it any other way.
Avengers: Infinity War Snaps the 4K Competition
Honestly, most of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are great to watch in 4K. However, Avengers: Infinity War is one of the best at showing off a variety of locations and interesting visuals. With so many different planets being visited, Infinity War does a great job at displaying a mix of colors and varied tones. And the incredible detail on Thanos is really shown off in 4K, with the fight scene on Titan being particularly stunning.
While Infinity War is a good 4K choice, if you consider yourself a hardcore MCU fan, you could splash out on the Marvel's The Infinity Saga Collectors Edition -- if you can find one. The set features 23 Marvel movies in 4K, for the hefty price of $549.
2001: A Space Odyssey's 4K Transfer Looks Even Better
By far the oldest movie on this list, 2001: A Space Odyssey has recently received a beautiful 4K transfer. This Stanley Kubrick classic was transferred to 4K by scanning the original 65mm film, meaning no detail has been lost and it's as sharp as can be. Much like Interstellar, the deep blacks of space look better than ever in 4K, and the incredible detail in the spaceships and moon make it look like the movie could've been released today, while maintaining its traditional film charm.
If you've never experienced this 1968 sci-fi classic, then this is the best way to do so.