Kino Lorber Sets First 4K Release of The River Wild for Dec. 15
The two-disc set comes from a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, approved by cinematographer Robert Elswit.
Kino Lorber will release The River Wild on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in a two-disc set on Dec. 15, 2026, the label has announced. It marks the first 4K Ultra HD release of the 1994 thriller.
The restoration comes from a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative and was approved by cinematographer Robert Elswit. The release includes a Dolby Vision and HDR presentation.
New extras
Among the new supplements is an interview with co-star David Strathairn titled Rapidly Ever After, along with new audio commentaries by Julie Kirgo, Peter Hankoff, Paul Anthony Nelson and Josh Nelson. The cover design shows the cast aboard a raft on the river.
Universal Pictures originally released The River Wild in theaters on Sept. 30, 1994. Directed by Curtis Hanson, the film stars Kevin Bacon as a criminal who takes a family hostage during a white-water rafting trip, opposite Meryl Streep as a former river guide.
Quick answers
When does The River Wild 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray come out?
Kino Lorber has scheduled the two-disc set for Dec. 15, 2026.
Is this the first 4K release of The River Wild?
Yes. Kino Lorber's two-disc set is the film's first 4K Ultra HD release.
What extras are included?
The release adds an interview with David Strathairn titled Rapidly Ever After and new audio commentaries by Julie Kirgo, Peter Hankoff, Paul Anthony Nelson and Josh Nelson.