Since first debuting over 10 years ago, "Stranger Things" has been nothing short of an absolute game-changer for Netflix. The series may not have been the streamer's first TV hit, but it was the first original title for Netflix that truly became a global phenomenon. It broke numerous records over the course of five seasons and has cemented itself as a cultural touchstone.【0†L295-L297】 Now, it's breaking new ground with a release that many fans feared wouldn't ever arrive.
This summer, Netflix released the complete series of "Stranger Things" on Blu-ray and 4K UHD for the first time — a significant move for a streamer that has largely avoided physical media in recent years.【0†L298-L299】
The Arrow Video Treatment
If you're not familiar with Arrow Video, they are among the very best in the business when it comes to physical media releases. So when Arrow announced that it would be partnering with Netflix for a 4K release, it was music to the ears of fans.【0†L301-L302】
The discs themselves look absolutely phenomenal. Watching a 4K disc versus streaming the same content with a 4K subscription often doesn't result in the same picture quality — streaming compresses the images quite a bit, so even the 4K version doesn't often look as great as it should. This release proves exactly why physical media still matters.【0†L303-L305】
A Visual Transformation
"Stranger Things" is a show that utilizes a lot of darkness, and often brings in bolder neon lighting to create a sharp contrast. On Netflix, the darkness of the show can be overwhelming at times, and even a little difficult to see without the image being severely brightened up. When the bold and bright colors come in, the contrast gets fuzzy and loses quality. The 4K discs solve those problems and make 'Stranger Things' look better than it ever has before.【0†L307-L309】
So much of the first season takes place in darkness, and it looks incredibly sharp on these discs. There's also a great amount of detail and contrast that appears in Season 4's iconic "Running Up that Hill" scene that you don't really get when you watch it on streaming.【0†L310-L311】
Two Editions for Every Fan
Arrow Video released the series on both 4K and Blu-ray formats, with each format getting both a standard release and a limited edition box-set. There's no difference in the picture or sound quality between the regular and limited editions.【0†L314-L315】
The limited edition, however, is a treasure trove for fans. In addition to exclusive artwork and individual season slipcovers, the set comes in a sleek box that looks great on the shelf. Other odds and ends packed inside the box include an exclusive Hellfire Club dice, reversible posters, exclusive art cards, stickers, writings from the filmmakers, and more.【0†L316-L318】
The Extras You Can't Stream
One of the added benefits of getting physical formats for these shows is the ability to access special features. All five seasons have an entire disc dedicated to special features, giving fans access to interviews, featurettes, and documentaries that take us deeper into the Upside Down than ever before. Watching the features, you can quite literally experience the cast growing up before your eyes.【0†L319-L321】
A New Standard
This is the kind of release that TV fans have been begging to make a comeback, and "Stranger Things" is the kind of hit that will drive a lot of fans to buy copies.【0†L322】 Fortunately, the set delivers in every possible way, setting a new standard for physical TV editions.【0†L323】 Here's to hoping more are on the way.