Stanley Kubrick enthusiasts can take advantage of a 30% discount when preordering “Eyes Wide Shut: The Criterion Collection.” This controversial yet iconic final film by the legendary director is making its 4K Blu-ray debut on November 25. Preorders for the three-disc 4K Blu-ray edition of “Eyes Wide Shut” are available on Amazon at a reduced price of $35 (originally $50). Criterion will also release a new 1080p Blu-ray version on the same day, also discounted by 30%, bringing its price down to $28.
“Eyes Wide Shut,” arguably Kubrick`s most unusual—and certainly most sexually explicit—film, was a box office success, yet in 1999 it proved too unsettling and strange for some critics and audiences. Today, however, many critics and fans alike regard the film starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a true masterpiece. While this is only the second Kubrick film to receive a 4K release from Criterion (the first being “Barry Lyndon” in July), almost all of his other works are already available on 4K Blu-ray from various other distributors.
The 4K release of “Eyes Wide Shut” is a three-disc set, comprising one 4K UHD disc and two 1080p Blu-ray discs. Consistent with other Criterion releases, this version is meticulously crafted to adhere as closely as possible to Kubrick`s precise vision for its presentation. Although the esteemed director passed away in 1999, less than a week after screening the final cut for Warner Bros., Criterion`s restoration was overseen by the film`s director of photography, Larry Smith. Given that the 1080p version is derived from the 4K restoration, it is also expected to offer an improvement over the existing Blu-ray edition.
Notably, Criterion has restored the international version—the aforementioned final cut—rather than the US theatrical edition, which was censored to achieve an R rating.
On a technical front, this release supports Dolby Vision HDR and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound.
Among the bonus features are new interviews with Smith, photographer and second-unit director Lisa Leone, and Stanley Kubrick archivist Georgina Orgill.
Archival extras from previous “Eyes Wide Shut” Blu-ray releases are also included, such as interviews with the actors, a documentary exploring Kubrick`s unfinished films, and more. All these can be viewed on the bonus standard Blu-ray disc. The standard Blu-ray edition is a two-disc set featuring the same bonus content.
Inside the display case, you`ll also find a booklet containing a 1999 interview with Kubrick and actor Sydney Pollack, along with a new essay by author Megan Abbott.
“Eyes Wide Shut: The Criterion Collection” Features:
- 4K digital restoration supervised by director of photography Larry Smith
- 3-disc set: 4K Blu-ray & 2 standard Blu-rays
- Dolby Vision HDR
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- New interviews with Larry Smith, second-unit director Lisa Leone, and Kubrick archivist Georgina Orgill
- Archival interview with Kubrick`s wife Christiane Kubrick
- “Never Just a Dream”: 2019 interviews with producer Jan Harlan, Kubrick`s daughter Katharina Kubrick, and his personal assistant Anthony Frewin
- “Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick”
- “Kubrick Remembered”: Interviews with Steven Spielberg and actors Todd Field and Leelee Sobieski
- Kubrick’s 1998 acceptance speech for the Directors Guild of America’s D.W. Griffith Award
- 1999 press conference with executive producer Jan Harlan, Tom Cruise, and Nicole Kidman
- Trailers
- English subtitles
- Booklet with an essay by author Megan Abbott and a 1999 interview with filmmaker and actor Sydney Pollack
Loosely adapted from Arthur Schnitzler`s novella “Dream Story,” “Eyes Wide Shut” follows Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise) and his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), as they confront their unconscious desires, jealousies, and fears within a version of New York City that feels a step removed from reality.
Stanley Kubrick: The Criterion Collection
As noted, “Eyes Wide Shut” marks only the second Kubrick film to receive a 4K Blu-ray release from Criterion; however, most of his films are available in 4K from other distributors. “Barry Lyndon,” Kubrick`s superb 1975 historical drama about a conman infiltrating high society, is available for $31.64 (originally $50) on 4K Blu-ray on Amazon. “Barry Lyndon” is a three-hour visual feast, distinguished by its opulent cinematography and lavish costume designs. It earned an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
It is probable that Criterion will release more 4K Blu-ray editions of Kubrick`s works in the future. “Barry Lyndon” has been part of the distributor`s standard Blu-ray catalog since 2017. Criterion also offers standard Blu-ray editions of several other Kubrick films, including “Dr. Strangelove” and “The Killing.”
- “Barry Lyndon” (4K Blu-ray) — $31.46 (was $50)
- “Barry Lyndon” (Blu-ray) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “Dr. Strangelove” (Blu-ray) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “Eyes Wide Shut” (4K Blu-ray) — $35 (was $50)
- “Eyes Wide Shut” (Blu-ray) — $28 (was $40)
- “The Killing” (Blu-ray) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “Paths of Glory” (Blu-ray) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “Spartacus” (DVD) — $30.55 (was $50)
- CC40: The Criterion Collection 40-Film Box Set (Blu-ray) — $438 (was $800)
Stanley Kubrick Films on 4K Blu-ray
Kubrick fans will need to look beyond The Criterion Collection for most of the director`s popular films on 4K Blu-ray, including “The Shining,” “A Clockwork Orange,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and “Full Metal Jacket.” “The Shining” recently joined The Film Vault, a series of limited-edition 4K Blu-rays designed by Vice Press in partnership with Warner Bros., with a stunning new Steelbook Edition. Walmart is currently accepting preorders for “The Shining” Steelbook Edition, with shipping commencing October 3. Additionally, a Steelbook Edition of “Full Metal Jacket” is available for just $30 on Amazon.
Amazon also offers an attractive deal on the Stanley Kubrick 3-Film 4K Collection, reducing its price to $43 (from $85). This box set includes “The Shining,” “Full Metal Jacket,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
- “The Shining” Steelbook Edition: The Film Vault (4K Blu-ray) — $65
- Stanley Kubrick 3-Film 4K Blu-ray Collection — $43 (was $85)
- Includes “The Shining” / “2001: A Space Odyssey” / “Full Metal Jacket”
- “2001: A Space Odyssey” (4K Blu-ray) — $21.86 (was $35)
- “A Clockwork Orange” (4K Blu-ray) — $21 (was $34)
- “Barry Lyndon” (4K Blu-ray) — $31.46 (was $50)
- “Dr. Strangelove” (4K Blu-ray) — $21 (was $31)
- “Eyes Wide Shut” (4K Blu-ray) — $35 (was $50)
- “Fear and Desire” (4K Blu-ray) — $20 (was $40)
- “Full Metal Jacket” (4K Blu-ray) — $18.63 (was $35)
- “Full Metal Jacket” Steelbook (2025) (4K Blu-ray) — $30 (was $33)
- “Full Metal Jacket” Steelbook (4K Blu-ray) — $40 (was $47)
- “Killer’s Kiss” (4K Blu-ray) — $33
- “Paths of Glory” (4K Blu-ray) — $50
- “The Shining” (4K Blu-ray) — $18.62 (was $35)
- “Spartacus” (4K Blu-ray) — $19.29 (was $30)
Stanley Kubrick Films on Blu-ray
Not all of Kubrick`s films have been restored in 4K. The 1956 film “The Killing” and Kubrick`s 1962 adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov`s novel “Lolita” are exclusively available on standard Blu-ray. Below is a list of Kubrick movies on 1080p Blu-ray. In some instances, the standard Blu-ray edition is considerably more affordable than its 4K counterpart. It`s worth noting that many 4K editions also include standard Blu-ray discs. Beyond individual releases, there are several Kubrick Blu-ray box sets, including a lavish Amazon-exclusive “The Masterpiece Collection”—which is currently out of print and quite expensive—and a region-free 9-film collection very reasonably priced at just $37.
- Stanley Kubrick: Visionary Filmmaker Collection (9 Movies) — $37
- Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection (8 Movies, 2 Docs) — $200
- “2001: A Space Odyssey” — $12
- “A Clockwork Orange” — $19
- “Barry Lyndon” (Criterion) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “Barry Lyndon” — $24.49
- “Dr. Strangelove” (Criterion) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “Eyes Wide Shut”: Special Edition — $10 (was $20)
- “Eyes Wide Shut” (Criterion) — $28 (was $40)
- “Fear and Desire”: Special Edition — $12.87
- “Full Metal Jacket”: 25th Anniversary — $19 (was $25)
- “Full Metal Jacket” — $15
- “The Killing” (Criterion) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “Lolita” — $12 (was $20)
- “Paths of Glory” (Criterion) — $25.34 (was $40)
- “The Shining” — $12
- “The Shining & Doctor Sleep” 2-Film Collection — $13 (was $23)
- “Spartacus”: Restored Edition — $20
- “Spartacus” — $13.49
Books on Stanley Kubrick
If you appreciate Kubrick`s films, exploring Taschen`s excellent books about the director`s body of work is highly recommended. Most recently, the premium art book publisher launched an expansive two-volume hardcover set dedicated to “The Shining.” This comprehensive deep dive by J.W. Rinzler is founded on hundreds of hours of interviews and extensive research, presenting the definitive account of the making of Kubrick`s most popular film. The second volume functions as a scrapbook, filled with never-before-seen documents and photography from the production. The nearly 1,400-page box set is priced at $125, but its scope is truly remarkable. We wholeheartedly endorse it.
We also suggest “The Stanley Kubrick Archives” from Taschen, which is available in a large coffee table book format and a more budget-friendly, compact edition for $21. Taschen`s “The Making of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey” is currently sold out, but Michael Benson`s “Space Odyssey,” published by Simon & Schuster in 2018, is also a superb read. For a Kubrick biography, several options exist, including the highly-rated 2024 release, “Kubrick: An Odyssey.”
- “Stanley Kubrick`s The Shining” (Hardcover Box Set) — $125
- By J.W. Rinzler / Edited by Lee Unkrich
- “The Stanley Kubrick Archives” (Hardcover) — $58 (was $100) | Coffee table book
- “The Stanley Kubrick Archives” (Hardcover) — $21 (was $25) | Compact edition
- Edited by Alison Castle
- “Through a Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs” (Hardcover) — $36 (was $40)
- By Lucy Sante
- “Space Odyssey” (Paperback) — $14 (was $21)
- By Michael Benson
- “Kubrick: An Odyssey” (Paperback) — $17.60 (was $22)
- By Robert Kolker & Nathan Abrams
- “Stanley Kubrick: A Biography” (Paperback) — $18 (was $26)
- By Vincent Lobrutto
- “Kubrick” (Paperback) — $9 (was $15)
- By Michael Herr, co-writer of “Full Metal Jacket”
- “Stanley Kubrick and Me: Thirty Years at His Side” — $17.77 (was $20)
- By Emilio D`Alessandro, former personal assistant