A lot of the chatter around 4K UHD Blu-ray discs is centered on the picture quality, and believe me, I get it. I love that the 4K resolution looks fantastic on my 75-inch 4K TV, and it’s obviously a major selling point of the format. What you might not realize is that a 4K disc comes with a massive upgrade in audio too. While you have some examples of Dolby Atmos on Blu-ray discs, it’s much more common to find one included on a 4K disc.
Dolby Atmos is something that’s only available to people with the proper sound system, so it’s easy to fly under the radar if you rely on your TV’s speakers for sound. I used to be like that, so the words Dolby Atmos didn’t mean much to me. As it turns out, audio is very important, and I think a big reason people have been complaining for years about being unable to hear dialogue is because they’re using TV speakers. A simple soundbar is a huge jump, and a fully Dolby Atmos sound system is an even bigger one. You don’t have to go all out when you’re just getting started, especially since it’s an expensive jump. What I can say is that it’s very noticeable when you finally get to an Atmos setup. Here’s a look at four 4K UHDs that shine with an Atmos system.
Both Top Gun movies are an excellent starting point
A true showcase
Top Gun and its sequel Top Gun: Maverick are some of the best example of Dolby Atmos I can think of in the 4K Blu-ray format. When I think of a good Atmos track, I try to think of ways that overhead sound gets incorporated in the soundtrack. Top Gun does that with ease thanks to the airplanes flying overhead, and it’s a great example of how Atmos can enhance an experience.
I wouldn’t say you won’t enjoy either of the Top Gun films without an Atmos sound system, mainly because I enjoyed the original Top Gun on a VHS tape on a small CRT TV. It also helps that these are movies that look excellent too. Maverick has IMAX scenes mixed in with the home release, so you’re really leaving nothing on the table with the 4K release here.
The Batman looks and sounds fantastic
If that sequel ever comes out, it’ll likely go here too
The Batman is one of those movies I recommend to people who just picked up a good Mini-LED or OLED TV. This movie has some many scenes where you can show off your TV’s superior contrast that’s only a thing on good TVs. That’s great and all, but we’re talking about Dolby Atmos here, and The Batman is also a great showcase of that.
There are a lot of scenes in this movie, like when the Batmobile roars to life, that stand out as some of the best examples of what Atmos can do. It’s also nice to get an Atmos soundtrack here since Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies don’t have one, but that’s just a common theme with Nolan. It also rains quite a bit in The Batman, and that’s also something that sounds cool with Atmos.
Both Blade Runner films have good Atmos tracks
A lot of Sci-Fi fits this bill
I mentioned rain when I talked about The Batman, and you can find that same thing in Blade Runner. What sets Blade Runner apart, however, is the beeps and boops you hear in Sci-Fi. While both Blade Runner movies have a solid Dolby Atmos soundtrack, I’d give the edge here to the sequel, Blade Runner 2049. This one’s another workout for your subwoofer, so if you put some money into that, you’re in for a treat.
It’s also nice that this is another one of those pairings that look good in the 4K format. Even without a good Atmos sound system, you’re still getting a pair of movies that look great. Just think of them as something you can watch again once you get better sound. These are some of the most recommended 4K films, so I came back to them after upgrading my sound.
Mad Max: Fury Road can’t be slept on
Witness me!
Mad Max: Fury Road snuck on me completely when I watched it for the first time. It was another one of those reference discs people mention for the 4K format, so I grabbed it on a blind buy. It ended up being one of the best movies I’ve ever seen, and it’s one I come back to often. The Atmos soundtrack here uses every channel, including the heights, so it’s one of the best you can find. It’s an action-packed movie with practically no downtime, so you’re always taking something in.
The sound is excellent, and the picture quality is good too. There’s even a black and white version of the movie worth checking out, but that’s on regular Blu-ray instead of the 4K. If you like this movie, you can also check out its sequel Furious for another good time.
