So, you’ve got a new 4K Blu-ray player for Christmas and are looking for some new discs to test it out. If that’s the case, I’ve listed six discs below that you should add to your shopping list.
4K Blu-ray is a staple source for testing the best TVs and best soundbars here at TechRadar because it provides superior picture and sound quality compared to 4K streaming.
Six 4K Blu-rays to get you started
The Batman
The Batman is one of the main 4K Blu-rays I use for testing TVs at TechRadar. This disc delivers strong contrast, which is perfect for showing off highlights and deep blacks. Also, its low brightness can be a real torture test for some TVs.
It’s also an excellent disc for showing off your sound system, with the Batmobile chase scene in particular delivering dynamic effects that are perfect for testing a soundbar.
Wicked
One of Wicked‘s greatest strengths on 4K is its vibrant colors, and a scene where Elphaba stands under a pink tree (pictured above) became a regular one I used for testing TVs in 2025. Colors are fantastic throughout the movie, striking a good balance between vivid and natural.
As a fast-paced, lively musical, Wicked is also great for sound. ‘Defying Gravity’ is one scene that comes to mind, as Elphaba sings while simultaneously flying around on her broom.
Double Indemnity
The Criterion Collection’s release of Double Indemnity is a perfect example of what a good 4K restoration can do for older movies. Contrast is strong, with a wide range of gray tones, bright whites and deep blacks that looked superb on our reference OLED TV. Detail is also excellent, giving textures in scenes a real uplift.
There are plenty of other older titles I’ve reviewed this year that could be on this list, such as Sunset Boulevard, Seven Samurai, and Godzilla, but Double Indemnity is the one that stands out.
The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is quite simply one of the best 4K restorations I’ve ever watched on 4K Blu-ray. Colors are bright and vibrant throughout, especially in the market scene where Maria and the children stand by a fruit & veg stall (pictured above). Detail has also been beautifully captured, making textures look crisp and true-to-life.
The movie’s iconic soundtrack sounds great in Dolby Atmos, delivering each song with clarity and precision. Julie Andrews’ voice has never sounded so good.
The Mask
As you’d expect by looking at The Mask (above), Arrow Video’s 4K restoration is another superb disc for color. The Mask’s gaudy yellow suit, his green face, and other colors in Edge City all look punchy and dynamic, and they accurately convey the cartoon feel of the movie.
The Mask has a surprisingly strong soundtrack as well. The movie’s cartoon sound effects, especially in a scene where The Mask spins around in a tornado-like manner, are delivered with such precision that I found myself following the sound around the room as it travelled out from my system’s soundbar over to its rear speakers.
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick is one of the best discs I use for TV and soundbar testing. The Darkstar flight test sequence at the beginning of the movie is excellent for testing sound, and it has been used as a reference demo scene at many home theater demonstrations I’ve attended.
Not only is Top Gun: Maverick a great-looking movie, with close-up shots of pilots really showing off the high detail level of 4K Blu-ray, but the fast-paced dogfight and flight test scenes are also great for evaluating a TV’s motion handling.
The best TVs for all budgets
The best 4K Blu-ray players for all budgets
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james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson)
