February 19th, 2026
88 comments
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Doctor Who The Movie Stunning New Restoration on 4K and Blu-ray
Available to order around now from www.amazon.co.uk, www.zavvi.co.uk, www.rarewaves.com and other selected retailers.
With thanks to BBC Studios
DOCTOR WHO: THE MOVIE STUNNING NEW RESTORATION on 4K and Blu-ray
In 1996, Paul McGann debuted as the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who, a feature length co-production between the BBC and the American Fox network, more commonly known as The TV Movie.
This 90-minute feature was shot on film, and now, for the first time, all 219 reels of original film (totalling almost 200,000 feet!) have been pulled from deep storage in the US and meticulously scanned over 21 days, then restored by Paul Vanezis to provide a definitive 4K experience.
The TV Movie has never looked or sounded so good, with a 24-frame transfer to match the original film rushes, and immersive surround sound, rebuilt from the original raw sound elements.
Also starring Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor), Daphne Ashbrook (Grace), Eric Roberts (The Master) and Yee Jee Tso (Chang Lee), The TV Movie sees the Doctor’s regeneration triggered on an operating table, with surgeon Grace Holloway accompanying the new Doctor on an epic adventure to prevent The Master from stealing the Doctor’s future lives.
This new release is available on 4K in a limited edition steelbook with exclusive artwork, as well as standard Blu-ray, and includes a host of special features including:
- The ‘uncensored’ UK version.
- The USA broadcast version.
- Soundtrack in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo.
- Sylvester McCoy and Janet Fielding featurette.
- 3 New Featurettes with Daphne Ashbrook, Eric Roberts and Yee Jee Tso.
- Two audio commentaries.
- Isolated music score.
- Production info text.
- The Seven Year Hitch making-of documentary.
- Paul McGann’s audition tape.
- Alternate takes.
- Electronic press kit and behind the scenes footage.
- TARDIS tour.
- BBC Trails.
- And much more.
Doctor Who – The Movie. The ultimate new restoration is available will be available to pre-order on Friday 20th February midday, ahead of its release on 25th May 2026 in the UK.
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Dave
February 20th, 2026 - 2:37pmHow has the steelbook sold out already??
booboo
February 20th, 2026 - 3:15pmkeep checking, they have all probably sold out of their initial allocation, i suspect this release may have been more popular than anticipated.
Jason Z
February 20th, 2026 - 2:11pmSteelbook sold out already?! Will there be more?
Snowman
February 20th, 2026 - 1:23pmLooking at these 4 New posts about the Dr Who Movie is there going to be 2 Steel books, One with just the Blu-ray and another with Blu-Ray and a 4k Edition?
Gordon
February 20th, 2026 - 2:46pmThe steelbook is the one with the 4k and the blu ray as well as the bonus features disc. The 4k just has the 4k disc and a bonus blu ray with extras. The blu ray release is just the movie on blu ray with a bonus blu ray with bonus features
Phil Pullen
February 20th, 2026 - 1:19pmI notice that the steelbook has 3 discs but the standard Blu-ray and standard 4k have 2 discs. I presume that means that for the steelbook the movie will be in 4k and Blu-ray, but the extras disc will be in either 4k or Blu-ray. Any ideas which? I like the look of the steelbook, but I don’t have a 4k player so if the extra disc is in 4k I won’t be able to view it!
Rex F
February 20th, 2026 - 2:05pmThe extras discs will be BD only. There’s a load of technical reasons why using a 4K disc for extras is a right pain, and it costs more.
Tom Williams
February 20th, 2026 - 11:54amI guess none off the links will work till the next 6 minutes have passed opps
booboo
February 20th, 2026 - 11:56amzavvi live
More then 2 alphabets
February 20th, 2026 - 11:59amZavvi not live. Goes to 2nd doctor blu ray
booboo
February 20th, 2026 - 12:01pmlink is showing all 3 for me
Gordon
February 20th, 2026 - 12:03pmGot mine ordered from zavvi
RM
February 20th, 2026 - 12:04amFRI 12am has passed and still no Doctor Who The Movie 4K anywhere
More then 2 alphabets
February 20th, 2026 - 4:46am12pm……………..
Peter
February 20th, 2026 - 7:50amGoodness me. Patience is a virtue. What’s the fear: this is all a hoax and they’ll pull it last second?!
Matt
February 20th, 2026 - 7:57amSo it looked like Amazon originally posted it too early, as there were even posts here yesterday morning and the listings WERE live (I managed to pre-order the steelbook) however I guess the Beeb told them to take down the listing as it was too early.
My pre-order wont take me to an actual item page but it is in my order history.
I imagine it may go back on properly today, but the accidental early posting of it and then removal delayed things
Nb7
February 20th, 2026 - 9:20amDon’t worry guys there will be plenty of opportunity there get a copy.
I’m more intrigued if a 4k disc will be included in a future wilderness blu ray collection set as it’s so obvious a wilderness set is in the pipeline considering there’s no in conversation with mcgann on this. And as someone else has mentioned this is focusing on McCoy so a wilderness set will focus on 8!
Going for the steel book just in case as I do love that artwork.
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 11:25pmGot to give Paul Vanezis, Mark Ayres and everybody else involved in this tons of plaudits for this. They really went above and beyond for this release. Getting all 219 rolls of 35mm film transferred from America to the uk for scanning. 37 hours of rushes in total. All needing scanned and reassembled. Plus on the audio side there is 92 1/4” tapes, A bunch of 8-track digital DTRS cassettes, and DAT cassettes. Not counting the 8 x 2″ 24-track tapes that were also digitised for this. This has been a very expensive and time full endeavour. I’m very much looking forward to ordering the 4k steelbook. There might not be as much new features as I would like but with what they have done I completely understand where the money is going on this.
Nb7
February 20th, 2026 - 9:25amI wonder if this will impact this years collection set schedule? As you say Gordon a lot of money and work has gone into this. I’m more than happy to wait for a collection set next year instead of two this year as we’re getting this upgrade. Still can’t believe it’s 30years! Not the best but I’ve always had a soft spot for it as mcgann is great and McCoy’s brief appearance in a dark setting and new costume was enough for me and I always felt it was setting things up for a follow up that sadly never happened.
But the movie is great fun and i always enjoy watching it despite its flaws.
Rex F
February 20th, 2026 - 2:14pmThe film was shipped to the UK? Interesting… I wonder if the Beeb bought Universal out?
Gordon
February 20th, 2026 - 7:16pmThink it’s a borrow as It’s being sent back once they are finished with it (this release still has about a week of work still to go according to mark Ayres).
Can’t see it having too much of an effect as it was going on alongside separate from the collection work and Peter Crocker wasn’t involved with this. Mark ayres was involved but he always seems to have the time to do multiple things at once. I’d be very surprised if the 2nd half of the year is bare.
Rex F
February 20th, 2026 - 8:06pmThanks, Gordon. It’s rare for Universal to allow stuff like that, but I suppose the Beeb own half of it, so…
(It also shows how high US scanning fees are that it’s cheaper to ship it all c.10 000 miles to the UK…)
Nb7
February 19th, 2026 - 9:08pmI’m pretty sure certain I’ll get this on 4K as I can’t see a 4k version being issued in the collection set. I’m torn between the steel book and standards 4k case as artwork for both looks stunning.
Rex F
February 20th, 2026 - 2:16pmThe steel will probably sell out at some point, so order it now and you can always cancel and change your mind to the regular later.
DPHill
February 19th, 2026 - 9:04pmThis is excellent! Ten years ago it was one of the testers for the collection range, maybe this is another perhaps? Either was a great gap filled and something totally unexpected! Cant wait for this, love it already and the artwork, can’t wait for wilderness collection set though
Although in a bit confused theres nothing new with mcgann or in the trailer, bit light on doctor 8!
Peter
February 20th, 2026 - 7:56amI think the trailer is supposed to be from Sylv’s/7thDoc’s perspective, so it naturally should be all about him. Never, ever noticed the sweat on the face before until you can now see the water next to his lower lip in that trailer. Incredible we getting this in 4K. Amazing technical effort. And perfect nostalgia for my childhood. 🙂 From a Dr Who perspective, it’s been an incredible 30 years in the end.
K-9stein
February 19th, 2026 - 7:46pmI would have liked it if they included the censored BBC1 broadcast version as well, mainly because the 7th Doctor’s death scream in the uncut verision is far too unsettling for my tastes!
Peter
February 20th, 2026 - 10:00amIsn’t the censored UK not the default play option? I read it as the others are special features. That correct?!
I hope so: censored UK version should be the default anyway IMHO. I find the McCoy scream unintentionally hilarious.
COMICshopsDontStand
February 19th, 2026 - 6:52pmAmazon link does not work
David
February 19th, 2026 - 7:21pmIt will be active Midday tomorrow
MIKK89
February 19th, 2026 - 8:31pm12:00am is Midnight tonight, not midday Friday, that would be 12pm
Jason Z
February 19th, 2026 - 10:25pmMIKK89, the source of the confusion is that ‘am’ is short for ‘ante meridiem’ = ‘before the middle of the day’, and ‘pm’ for ‘post meridiem’ = ‘after the middle of the day’. So the terms 12 am and 12 pm make no sense and can both be interpreted either way: 12 noon is midday, so ’12 pm’ is a contradiction as 12 can’t be after itself. It’s clearer to say ’12 noon’ and ’12 midnight’. Having said all that, you’re right that people do use 12 am to mean midnight… usually…!
Peter
February 20th, 2026 - 8:02amJason z – that’s exactly why as standard we all should just use 24hr notation, as it leaves no such ambiguity. 00:00 and 12:00 clearly denoted as two different things. Chucking in am/pm just muddies the waters.
Jason Z
February 20th, 2026 - 1:50pmIndeed, Peter. The timing of midnight would have been appropriate, I know realise. I think the quotation is “By midnight tonight, this planet will be pulled inside out.” Rather than, “By noon tomorrow, Doctor Who: The Movie’s stunning new restoration on 4K and blu-ray will be available for pre-order.”
Dalek Eye Stalk
February 19th, 2026 - 5:18pmI’d just buy the standard Blu-ray release. I don’t have 4K, so high def Blu-ray will do fine.
Andy
February 19th, 2026 - 5:00pmAh can see what they have done there the release date it will be exactly 30 years since the original broadcast which was Monday 27th May 1996. Very clever of the BBC the artwork does look amazing but do I really want this as I already own it on Blu-ray. Is there much extras for this upcoming release. Yeah so basically its a 30th anniversary edition maybe that’s what they should of called it to avoid confusion with the current release.
Rich
February 19th, 2026 - 5:21pmDon’t forget this is a brand new 4k scan from the 35mm OCN with re-done SFX. The old blu ray is just an upscale of the SD master. This is going to be a MASSIVE upgrade whether on blu ray or UHD.
Peter
February 19th, 2026 - 5:25pmAndy – the previous blurays were not remastered from the negatives. Also, they were encoded at the wrong frame rate (sped up slightly), so yes this is very much the proper replacement for any previous releases. 🙂
Andy
February 19th, 2026 - 11:10pmIt’s certainly interesting and to get the US version censored then the UK version uncensored. I didn’t even know the US version was censored why was that? This one is saying 90 mins. But it is only 85mins as I have owned this 4 times now on VHS, DVD Standard Edition, DVD Special Edition then again on Blu-ray. So my question is have they added an extra 5 minutes of unseen footage? It sounds like they have so we fans fork out to buy it.
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 11:31pmPrevious uk versions ran at a pal converted speed up 25fps. In the us it’s been the correct 24 fps. This new release will be the first time it’s going to be available in the correct 24 fps and 90 minute run time.
Mac
February 19th, 2026 - 4:34pmLooks stunning.
But I’ll wait for the collection release, so I can finish off my McCoy run
Andy
February 19th, 2026 - 11:22pmMac, The McCoy Years have now been all released on The Collection Sets, so I very much doubt that they will do one for The Movie. Which is probably why they are releasing this set instead I might be proven wrong in the future. But this seems right as it will be exactly 30 years since the original broadcast back in May 1996 in the UK. I remember it well was a bank holiday Monday . I remember the the exact words the BBC broadcaster at the time. Now one of BBC 1’s greatest heroes is back, and it’s about time. With 90s thrills and scares, as mankind faces total destruction. In Doctor Who.
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 11:44pmI don’t know why people think they aren’t doing a wilderness collection release. Pete Mctighe has already heavily implied it’s happening. (Certain features related to the 90s and early 2000s have been left off for an obvious reason which you can draw your own conclusion). The tv movie was never going to get a ground up remaster under the collection budget. It needed its own release to help pay for it. Plus there certainly is a few collection themed features missing on this new release. If it wasn’t getting a collection release I’d have expected behind the sofa as well as Paul McGann in conversation and other features to be included here and well it’s not
Peter
February 20th, 2026 - 8:06amYeah Gordon – makes absolute sense. This was such a project it needed its own budget to be viable. Thanks for all of your usual info btw – the technical stats on this alone are staggering.
And you’re right: it must make the Wilderness Years boxset guaranteed now. Oh goody: the time I became a fan, when it was a dead show and a bullyable offence to even admit to watching.
Trenzalore
February 19th, 2026 - 4:22pmOh wow whatever next, a twin dilemma steelbook? YOU KNOW THEY’D DO IT.
bryan
February 19th, 2026 - 5:04pmI’d love a Twin Dilemma 4K NEW Effects(and mestor)
Lots of DW had a few duff bits. I think it’s a brilliant mad idea for a story.
Needed Graham Harper
Troughton’s Trousers
February 19th, 2026 - 4:17pmOrdered mine this morning from Amazon.
But now the link to the items has been pulled. Still sitting in my pre-orders though.
Clearly they missed the press release’s note about being available for pre-order from tomorrow!
MJS
February 19th, 2026 - 5:54pmSame here. Order still listed on my pre-orders. No cancellation notification
Prof Horner
February 19th, 2026 - 3:23pmWell this is good news. But it is disappointing that we still haven’t had news about new animations or missing episodes .
The ergon
February 19th, 2026 - 7:55pmIsnt there an announcement due soon? I,m sure i read sometime late february?
daz
February 19th, 2026 - 3:16pmGreat artwork by Lee Binding.
I’ll buy it and then sell it on when we get the wilderness set in say 2028 maybe.
The ergon
February 19th, 2026 - 3:36pmIll wait. 2 years go by so quickly and to watch it once doesnt justify paying out for it again. The artwork is amazing.
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 4:29pmNo guarantee that the 4k will also get ported over to the collection steelbook. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 4:32pmI mean it’s No guarantee that the 4k will also get ported over to the collection release. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is left out as to have an incentive to buy it
daz
February 19th, 2026 - 5:46pmYeah, can see the collection being just the standard new Blu-ray which is fine by me.
The Silent Silent
February 19th, 2026 - 3:07pmLooks like a Fantastic Release 🙂 How much will the 4K Steelbook cost ?
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 3:29pm£34.99 for the 4k/blu ray combo
£24.99 standard 4k only version
£14.99 for the standard blu ray version
David Minter
February 19th, 2026 - 3:07pmI wonder if we’ll get a Region A NTSC release. Wasn’t the TV movie previously released on a Blu-Ray in the UK that wasn’t released in the US? I may be misremembering that, though.
Audred
February 19th, 2026 - 3:00pmI think there may have been a bit of a boo-boo with this as Amazon had it up for sale, but you couldn’t find the link without Google’s AI assist which took me straight to the page where I managed to place and order for two before it got taken down. Seems my insomnia paid off for once.
Anita
February 19th, 2026 - 2:29pmAnyone else getting Page Not Found with that Amazon link? It was working earlier on as I was able to order the Steelbook but it seems to be down now.
booboo
February 19th, 2026 - 2:39pmwas taken down as to early will be Friday 12am now (we hope)
Anita
February 19th, 2026 - 2:46pmThanks booboo!
Mikk89
February 19th, 2026 - 2:52pmThe irony is only a few days before the announcement of this, my Nephew had his first experience of this on the previous Blu-Ray version.
I’m looking forward to this.
Audred
February 19th, 2026 - 2:58pmI was up late last night and saw a YouTuber say it was released on Amazon, I couldn’t find it via a regular search, but I found that typing it into Google’s AI assistant it gave me a direct link to the page, so I snapped-up two of them right then and there. It’s clearly been an error and taken down, but my purchase is still showing as ordered.
Rory, the original you might say
February 19th, 2026 - 2:59pmTiming malfunction.
James
February 19th, 2026 - 2:26pmDoes anyone know why the differences are between the ‘uncensored’ UK version, and the USA broadcast version?
Thanks
Rex F
February 19th, 2026 - 2:43pmThe Millennium Effect website has the differences. Google millennium effect tvm, and it’s the second link.
Demdike@CultLabs
February 19th, 2026 - 1:49pmLooks gorgeous doesn’t it compared to the original which looked like, well, a 90’s tv movie.
DaveR1974
February 19th, 2026 - 1:46pmBBC messed up with the trailer and press release.
In the trailer, at 1m37s, Sylvester states “available to pre-order now”, but it is not available to pre-order until midday tomorrow.
Also, there is an error in regard to the statements “The ‘uncensored’ UK version” and “The USA broadcast version”.
The original UK broadcast was edited, whereas the USA version was not.
It will be interesting to know if the UK version in this release will include the Jon Pertwee dedication at the start as per the first broadcast and first DVD release.
I am looking forward to finally seeing this in the original 24fps instead of the stupid PAL speed up (resulting in higher pitched voices and stuttering of some camera moves). If only the BBC would re-release the Torchwood Miracle Day Blu-ray with the correct frame rate and pitched voices too.
Rex F
February 19th, 2026 - 2:54pm“Uncensored UK version” relates to the BBC2 edit, which had no cuts but retained the alternative act break treatments of the UK BBC1 premiere. Basically it’s the DVD edit.
Audred
February 19th, 2026 - 2:56pmThe Steelbook was posted for sale on Amazon, but it was only discovered through a link supplied by Google AI, so I got in quick and ordered two. Must have been some technical error, but I got my order number.
War Chief
February 19th, 2026 - 1:43pmWell, good luck with that…..it looked a bit rubbish back in 1996……
Much as i’m a big Paul McGann fan now, back then i didn’t know who he was…..i could be forgiven for not recognising him from Alien 3, and i didn’t see Withnail and I till the following year….
Clay
February 19th, 2026 - 1:42pmThis is beautiful and an instant must-buy for me, but it makes me a little sad that it probably means we’ll never get that long-rumoured ‘wilderness years’ collection set with all the missing retrospective-type features that haven’t made the jump from DVD.
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 2:01pmI’m pretty sure this doesn’t rule out a wilderness years set. This needed a stand alone release as this never would have gotten a new remastering on the budget of the collection range especially with everything else needed for that release.
Rory, the original you might say
February 19th, 2026 - 3:18pmSeems to me this makes Wilderness Years more likely rather than less. BBC are going to want to get as much money out of this as possible, so it makes sense to do a solo release to recoup costs of the restoration, then package it into a Collection set in a couple of years time so they can spend the Collection money on the rest of the set.
D84
February 19th, 2026 - 5:40pmHope so
Id really like a “Wilderness Years” set
Clay
February 20th, 2026 - 12:09amGood points all – I suppose you can look at it like the animated releases, special standalones that will eventually be repackaged. Also I’d assumed the 60s collection sets would have the animations either in B&W or colour but not both, or they’d be enormous, and maybe a wilderness set wouldn’t include the 4k version? Either way I’ve been happy to pick up the animations knowing they might be obsolete one day, just because they’re gorgeous, and this isn’t really any different.
So I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a ‘wilderness’ set too (just hopefully with a less depressing and inaccurate name!)
Neil
February 19th, 2026 - 1:27pmPity it doesn’t seem like we are getting any deleted scenes (we’ve all seen the pictures of Gordon Tipple in costume as the Muster..), and no mention of those awful Dalek voices from the beginning being replaced, oh well….
Gordon
February 19th, 2026 - 2:09pmI imagine that will probably happen for the collection release in a couple of years time. Considering they have 37 hours of rushes and this was a massive long complex job I think it can be forgiven if they didn’t get round to it
DanielM
February 19th, 2026 - 4:37pmThe main focus for this Release I imagine is to recoup the Costs involved in re-scanning everything shot for the Film. I believe we’ll get the more interesting VAM on a later release…
Bookcollector
February 19th, 2026 - 1:21pmI do rather enjoy this story, it’s heart (or should that be hearts) are in the right place even if it is half human…
Ricky
February 19th, 2026 - 1:20pmWow thats fantastic and I love the steelbook artwork.