"Four Frightening Versions of ‘The Frighteners’: Which One Will Haunt Your Night?"
Added on August 1, 2026 inFree Entertainment News, Free Movie News
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One of the hidden gems of the nineties, Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners, often gets lost in the shuffle of bigger Hollywood spectacles. Released by Universal in 1996, it didn’t make waves at the box office. But, oh boy, did it craft a significant chapter in Jackson’s storybook, paving the way for his later triumphs like The Lord of the Rings trilogy! Featuring Michael J. Fox as a scheming con artist leveraging his psychic gifts alongside a cast of beloved ghostly sidekicks—think Jeffrey Combs, Chi McBride, and the incomparable John Astin—it’s a quirky blend of horror and comedy that deserves a second look.
Now, with a celestial lineup just in time for Halloween, Arrow Video is resurrecting this classic in a glistening 4K format! Releasing on October 26, this lavish three-disc set boasts both the theatrical and director’s cuts, plus some fascinating open matte versions—who doesn’t love more frames of ghoulish fun? And let’s not forget: there’s an abundance of special features and a meaty documentary that will make any film buff drool. Nearly three decades later, The Frighteners still enchants audiences, proving itself as a spectacular cult favorite.
So, are you ready to relish this revamped classic? If you think the stars might align for some supernatural viewing this October, there’s no better time to dive back in! LEARN MORE.
One of the most underrated movies of the nineties was undoubtedly Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners. When Universal released it in 1996, it came and went without much notice, but it proved to be an important film in Jackson’s career. It was his first big-budget Hollywood movie following Bad Taste, Braindead, and Heavenly Creatures, with its success behind the scenes paving the way for him to direct The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It starred Michael J. Fox as a con artist who uses his psychic abilities to eke out a living with the help of his ghostly pals, played by Jeffrey Combs, Chi McBride, and the great John Astin.
While a box office dud, The Frighteners found a second life following The Lord of the Rings, building a devoted cult following. It also became one of the standout DVD releases of the early format, thanks to a 14-minute-longer director’s cut and an exhaustive four-hour making-of documentary that was really the first of its kind. In many ways, it paved the way for the extensive special features Jackson would later include with his Lord of the Rings releases.
Now, Arrow Video is bringing The Frighteners to 4K, with the set arriving on October 26, just in time for Halloween. The three-disc release will include both the theatrical and director’s cuts in 4K Ultra HD, with the director’s cut also featuring an audio commentary by Jackson.
Uniquely, Arrow is also including open matte versions of both cuts on a separate Blu-ray. Because the movie was shot in Super 35, the open matte presentations reveal additional picture information, making them a fascinating alternative way to experience the film.
The third disc is loaded with special features, including:
Nearly thirty years after its release, The Frighteners remains one of Peter Jackson’s most entertaining and underrated films, and this looks like the definitive home video release.
Will you be picking up The Frighteners on 4K? Let us know in the comments!
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