Best Version Of The Thing (1982) On Home Media

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Introduction

This article is part of a series where we investigate which is the best version of particular movies on home media. In this article, we will look at the different releases of The Thing (1982) on Blu Ray, UHD Blu Ray – and streaming if available – and look at the specs and quality of each release to determine the best way to watch The Thing (1982).

The Thing (1982) Summary

The Thing (1982), directed by John Carpenter, is a sci-fi horror film set in an isolated Antarctic research station. A group of American researchers encounters a mysterious, shape-shifting alien organism that can assimilate and imitate any living being it comes into contact with. The team discovers the creature’s terrifying ability as trust and sanity deteriorate amongst them.

The film examines the growing paranoia as the crew members no longer know who is still human and who might have already been taken over. As they attempt to contain and destroy the alien, the resulting fear turns their environment into a dangerous battleground. The film is based on the 1938 novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell Jr. Unlike traditional horror, The Thing delves into themes of isolation, mistrust, and survival amidst an unknown and lethal adversary. It is known for its practical effects and tense atmosphere.

The Thing (1982) Cast Summary

Actor’s Name	Character’s Name	Character Role Summary
Kurt Russell	R.J. MacReady	The helicopter pilot and the group’s main protagonist, who takes charge as the situation worsens.
Wilford Brimley	Dr. Blair	The senior biologist who discovers the true nature of the alien, leading to drastic actions.
Keith David	Childs	The station’s mechanic and one of the more skeptical crew members, often at odds with MacReady.
Donald Moffat	Garry	The station’s commanding officer. Struggles to maintain control as the crisis escalates.
Richard Dysart	Dr. Copper	The station’s physician who initially helps investigate the alien’s biology.
David Clennon	Palmer	The laid-back and sarcastic second helicopter pilot. Works with MacReady during key scenes.
T.K. Carter	Nauls	The station’s cook, who becomes increasingly paranoid as events spiral out of control.
Richard Masur	Clark	The dog handler, who spends a lot of time with the sled dogs, key to the unfolding events.
Charles Hallahan	Norris	A calm and soft-spoken crew member, deeply implicated in the group’s discovery of the organism.
Peter Maloney	Bennings	One of the first to suspect something is wrong, he helps manage the alien’s first appearance.

The Thing (1982) Home Media Releases (Blu Ray and Streaming)

The Thing (1982) was published on the following contemporary home formats.

Table 1: Blu-ray & UHD Blu-ray Releases for The Thing (1982)

Release Name / Format	Release Date	Video Codec	Audio Codec	Video Bitrate	Audio Bitrate	Director’s Cut (Y/N)
The Thing (Blu-ray, US)	2008-09-30 (US)	VC-1	DTS-HD MA 5.1	35.00 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Thing (Blu-ray, UK)	2011-10-17 (UK)	VC-1	DTS-HD MA 5.1	35.00 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Thing: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray)	2016-10-11 (US)	AVC	DTS-HD MA 5.1	35.00 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Thing: 4K UHD (US)	2017-10-23	HEVC (H.265)	DTS-X	85.50 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Thing: 4K UHD (Shout Factory)	2021-09-07 (US)	HEVC (H.265)	DTS-MA 5.1, Dolby TrueHD 4.1, & DTS-X 7.1	85.50 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Thing: Limited Edition 4K UHD (Arrow)	2021-11-22 (UK)	HEVC (H.265)	DTS-HD MA 5.1 & DTS-X 7.1	85.50 Mbps	Lossless	No
The Thing iTunes (4K – HDR10)	2014-09-29 (US)	HEVC (H.265)	Dolby Digital Plus	25Mbps	384Kbps	No

Table 2: The Thing (1982) Video & Audio Review Information

Release Name / Format	Video Score	Audio Score	DI Resolution	DNR Applied (Yes/No)	AI in Mastering (Yes/No)
The Thing (Blu-ray, US)	3.5/5	4.0/5	2K	Yes	No
The Thing (Blu-ray, UK)	3.0/5	4.0/5	2K	Yes	No
The Thing: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray)	4.0/5	4.5/5	2K	No	No
The Thing: 4K UHD (US)	4.5/5	5.0/5	4K	No	No
The Thing: 4K UHD (Shout Factory)	4.8/5	4.5/5	4K	No	No
The Thing: Limited Edition 4K UHD (Arrow)	4.5/5	4.5/5	4K	No	No

Key Insights:

1. Video & Audio Scores: Improvements are seen in later releases, especially at 4K resolutions, with more favorable scores in video quality, largely due to the preservation of practical effects through superior formats and remastering techniques.
2. DNR (Digital Noise Reduction): DNR was applied on earlier Blu-ray releases (especially the 2008 US and 2011 UK editions), but later editions, including 4K remasters, significantly reduced or eliminated DNR, preserving grain and detail.
3. AI in Mastering: None of the releases involved AI technology for mastering as of the available information.

Please note that we have tried to make sure as much as possible that this information is correct by referencing multiple sources but still keeping it simple and accurate across release regions. Please let us know in the comments if you find any errors.

The Thing (1982) Legacy Formats

The Thing (1982) was also published on the following legacy formats:

Format	Release Date	Widescreen (WS) / Pan & Scan (PS)	Director’s Cut (Yes/No)
VHS (US)	1983 (US)	PS	No
VHS (US re-release)	Early 1990s	PS	No
Laserdisc (US)	1984 (US)	PS	No
Laserdisc (US re-release)	1992 (US)	WS	No
Laserdisc (Signature Collection)	1998 (US)	WS	No
DVD (US)	1998-09-01 (US)	WS	No
DVD (Collector’s Edition)	2004	WS	No
D-Theatre (HD)	2003	WS	No
VHS (UK)	1983 (UK)	PS	No
Laserdisc (Japan)	1997 (JP)	WS	No

Key Notes:

1. VHS releases in the U.S. (early 1980s and 1990s) were typically in Pan & Scan (PS) to adapt the film to the 4:3 television aspect ratio, which was common for many VHS films in that period.
2. The 1992 Laserdisc release and onward focused more on presenting the film in Widescreen (WS) to better preserve the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio of the film.
3. No Director’s Cut: All releases of The Thing (1982) on these formats are based on the original theatrical cut. There has never been a director’s cut of the film officially released.
4. The D-Theatre release (a short-lived HD format in the early 2000s) was presented in Widescreen (WS) and offered the highest quality at that time.

Which version of The Thing (1982) should you watch?

When deciding which disc version of The Thing (1982) to purchase, it’s important to balance factors like video/audio quality, special features, and price. Discussions across review scores on forums like Blu-ray.com and AVSForum highlight advantages and drawbacks of a few standout releases. Below is a breakdown of the best options based on community feedback and expert reviews.

1. The Thing 4K UHD (Scream/Shout! Factory, 2021)

• Why Choose This:
• Best Overall Picture Quality: This version uses a 4K scan of the original film negative, offering excellent detail and clarity while preserving the natural film grain. It avoids excessive DNR (Digital Noise Reduction), making it a top choice for fans of film grain and textured visuals.
• HDR/Dolby Vision Enhancement: High dynamic range (HDR10) and Dolby Vision significantly improve depth, shadows, and color accuracy, especially in darker scenes and during harsh lighting contrasts (e.g., fiery explosions and snowy backgrounds).
• Audio Options: Includes DTS-HD MA 5.1, DTS-X 7.1, and even a Dolby TrueHD 4.1 mix which closely replicates the sound design used in the original theaters.
• Highly Recommended on Blu-ray.com: It scored 4.8/5 in video and 4.5/5 in audio, making it a top recommendation for those who prioritize quality.
• Potential Downsides:
• Some collectors mention that despite being improved over previous releases, occasional scattered detail softness still remains due to the original 1982 practical effects. Nothing significant enough to detract from the enjoyment, though.
• Slightly pricier than standard Blu-ray editions.

2. Arrow Video 4K UHD Limited Edition (2021) – Region B / UK

• Why Choose This:
• Comparable to the Scream Factory Release, but with exclusive packaging and extras. If you prefer limited editions or Arrow’s typically well-reviewed packaging, this version includes a booklet, postcards, and posters, along with the 4K disc.
• The transfer is similar to the Shout! Factory 4K, offering excellent HDR, Dolby Vision, and DTS-X options.
• Video Score: 4.5/5, Audio Score: 4.5/5 by users on Blu-ray.com.
• Potential Downsides:
• May be Region B-locked or expensive to import depending on your location (especially for U.S. customers), making the Shout! Factory version a more practical choice for U.S. buyers.
• The additional packaging and special features might not be of interest to buyers focused only on the film’s quality.

3. The Thing (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray, 2016) – Scream Factory

• Why Choose This:
• A solid 1080p alternative if 4K capabilities are not a priority or your TV setup doesn’t support it.
• Uses a 2K scan of the original film negative, yielding much-improved picture quality over the original Blu-rays.
• Reviews from Blu-ray.com give video a 4/5 and audio a 4.5/5. While not as sharp as the 4K version, it still offers strong detail reproduction and good contrast ratios.
• Comprehensive special features including documentaries, interviews, and audio commentaries that are not included in earlier releases.
• Potential Downsides:
• Picture quality is a step behind the 4K UHD versions, particularly in terms of HDR highlights, shadow detail, and fine grain preservation.
• While improvements were made over earlier Blu-ray releases, it still applies moderate DNR in select areas compared to the latest 4K releases, which some purists dislike.

4. The Thing (Blu-ray, 2008 or 2011 releases)

• Why Choose This:
• If you are budget-conscious, the older 1080p Blu-rays are widely available on secondary markets.
• Potential Downsides:
• Significant use of DNR: These versions softened much of the film’s original grain, leading to complaints about overly smooth textures and lack of clarity.
• Video quality ranks lower (with scores around 3-3.5/5 on Blu-ray.com) compared to later remasters. Most forums discourage purchasing these unless you are only interested in owning the film at the lowest price.

Final Recommendation Based on Forum Discussions and Review Scores:

Best Overall: The Thing 4K UHD (Shout! Factory, 2021)

• Why: It provides the best video and audio performance currently available, retains the original film’s grain and texture, and benefits from HDR/Dolby Vision. It’s highly praised in Blu-ray.com and AVSForum discussions for its balance of visual clarity, color grading, and improved sound mixes. It’s the definitive version unless you’re specifically after collector’s items or region limitations affect you.

Best Limited Edition with Extras: Arrow Video 4K UHD (2021)

• Why: If you appreciate collector packaging and bonus items, the Arrow 4K UHD Limited Edition offers comparable video/audio quality but with special presentation. Ideal for collectors who want extra content, but may be more costly and difficult to acquire for U.S. buyers.

Best Blu-ray Alternative: The Thing – Collector’s Edition Blu-ray (2016)

• Why: If you don’t have 4K capabilities or are simply happy with 1080p Blu-rays, the 2016 Scream Factory edition is a great choice. It vastly improves picture and sound over early 2000s Blu-rays and comes with an extensive set of special features.

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In conclusion, if you have a 4K setup, the 2021 Shout! Factory 4K UHD is hands down the best buy for the highest fidelity. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option that’s still visually impressive, the 2016 Collector’s Edition Blu-ray remains solid.

Why Audio and Video Calibration is Important?

Movies only play accurately on home systems if both the display and audio system are calibrated to reference. Here at Simple Home Cinema, we are fanatic about accurate playback to the way the director intended. This is why we created both free and premium calibration guides, so you can calibrate your audio and video for optimal playback.

Audio Calibration	Video Calibration
Audyssey – Dirac Live – YPAO – All	Free Guides
Premium Guides	Premium Guide