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'Red Sonja' 4K UHD Review

Updated: 8 hours ago

Physical Media Release Date: 03/24/26.

Label: Arrow Video.

Form of Release: Limited Edition 4K UHD.

The Verdict: A Maybe


From the mythical world of Robert E. Howard comes Red Sonja, a fierce, fireforged fantasy adventure from director Richard Fleischer (Soylent Green), starring Brigitte Nielsen (Cobra) in her iconic debut as the legendary warrior, joined by Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of his sword-and-sorcery powers.


When her family is slain and her homeland destroyed by the tyrannical Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman, Conan the Barbarian), Sonja is chosen by the goddess Scáthach and gifted with extraordinary strength and skill in battle. Sworn to vengeance, she embarks on a perilous quest to stop Gedren from wielding a deadly talisman with the power to annihilate the world.


A thrilling tale of high adventure packed with stunning spectacle and steel-clashing action, backed by an epic score by maestro Ennio Morricone (The Mission), Red Sonja is a bold, larger-than-life epic where destiny is forged in fire and blood.

Special Features:

  • Brand New audio commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth

  • Brand New audio commentary with comic book expert Dave Baxter

  • The Prince and Me, a newly filmed interview with actor Ernie Reyes Jr.

  • Swords, Stunts and Sonja, a newly filmed interview with action unit supervisor Vic Armstrong

  • The Last of the Invincibles, a newly filmed interview with Schwarzenegger's stunt double Pietro Torrisi

  • The Danish Girl, a newly filmed interview with stuntman Ottaviano Dell'Acqua

  • The 12 Labors of Red Sonja, a newly filmed interview with assistant production manager Stefano Spadoni

  • The Marvel of Primitive Technology, a newly filmed interview with FX artist Domingo Lizcano discussing the work of Emilio Ruiz del Río

  • Moulding Fantasies, a newly filmed interview with make-up FX assistant Adriano Carboni

  • Bodybuilding the Imagery, an archival unreleased interview with poster artist Renato Casaro

  • The Man Who Raised Hollywood, an archive featurette on Schwarzenegger's career featuring filmmakers Peter Hyams and Arthur Allan Seidelman, producer Edward Pressman and others

  • Red Sonja vs. Kalidor: The Making of a Misunderstanding, an archive interview with assistant director Michel Ferry

  • Theatrical trailer

  • Image gallery


Rotten Tomatoes Scores:

  • Tomatometer: 23% (as of 04/01/26)

  • Popcornmeter: 29% (as of 04/01/26)


Physical Release Specs & Other Details:

  • MPAA: Rated PG-13

  • Runtime: 89 minutes

  • Original Release: 1985


Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1


Audio

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)


Subtitles

English SDH


Discs

4K Ultra HD

Blu-ray Disc

Single disc (1 BD-100)


Digital

Not Included


Packaging

Slipcover in Original Packaging

Reversible Cover


Physical Bonuses

  • Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options by Renato Casaro

  • Collectors' perfect-bound booklet featuring new writing on the film by John Walsh, Nanni Cobretti and Barry Forshaw

  • Double-sided foldout poster featuring two original artwork options by Renato Casaro

  • Six postcard-sized reproduction artcards


Playback

4K Blu-ray: Region free

Positives and Negatives

- Negative Critical and Audience Reception

+ A Surprising Conclusion to the Conan The Barbarian Franchise

+ First Time on 4K UHD

+ x04 Physical Bonuses

+ x14 Special Features

+ x02 Brand New Audio Commentaries

- NO Digital Code Included

 
 
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