Lionsgate confirms first wave of Ultra HD Blu-ray releases

Titles to launch in US on March 1

Lionsgate Home Entertainment has become the latest distributor to announce its initial slate of Ultra HD Blu-ray releases. The studio will launch four titles on March 1 in the US. There's no word yet on UK releases.

The movies are Sicario (pictured), The Last Witch Hunter, The Expendables 3 and Ender's Game. In an interesting move, the suggested price for the latter two – both back-catalogue releases – is $22.99 while the more recent flicks will land with $42.99 price tags.

All four UHD titles will sport next-gen audio, but system owners should take note that Sicario, Ender's Game and The Expendables 3 will carry Dolby Atmos mixes, yet The Last Witch Hunter will feature a DTS:X mix.

While Lionsgate (unlike many other studios) still region-locks its Blu-rays, the new UHD format is not expected to support such a feature, so these titles may be worth importing if subsequent UK platters aren't forthcoming.

Warner Bros, Sony Pictures and Twentieth Fox have already confirmed a smattering of imminent Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray releases. Warners has lined up Mad Max: Fury Road, San Andreas, The LEGO Movie and Pan, with Man of Steel and Pacific Rim amongst further releases in 2016. Sony will debut with the likes of The Amazing Spider-Man 2SaltHancockChappiePineapple Express and The Smurfs while Fox will launch its UHD Blu-ray offering with Exodus: Gods & Kings, Chappie, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Fantastic Four, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Life of Pi, Maze Runner and Wild

Last year we said that one of things we wanted from Ultra HD Blu-ray were launch titles we actually wanted to buy. It looks like this may actually come true.

X