‘Friday the 13th’ Gets a Slash-tastic 4K SteelBook Release This October

Crystal Lake is reopening once again, only this time every shadow, axe and unfortunate camp counsellor is making the journey to 4K. Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, the 1980 slasher that turned an ill-fated summer camp into one of horror cinema’s most recognisable locations, is receiving its first UK release on 4K Ultra HD this October, with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment also preparing a SteelBook edition.

The film will arrive on 12 October 2026, presented in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range. The standard 4K UHD edition carries an RRP of £23 in the UK, while the SteelBook will retail for £35.

Directed by Cunningham, Friday the 13th begins with a group of young counsellors preparing to reopen Camp Crystal Lake, despite the site having a distinctly unpleasant history. Their efforts are interrupted when somebody begins murdering them one at a time, turning what should have been the beginning of a new summer season into a bloody fight for survival.

Betsy Palmer and Adrienne King lead the cast, with Kevin Bacon appearing in an early film role. Harry Manfredini provided the score, including the distinctive musical motif that became closely associated with the series.

Although Jason Voorhees would eventually become the face of the franchise, complete with the hockey mask introduced later in the series, the original film handles its killer rather differently. It is worth remembering that distinction, since decades of sequels, merchandise and pop-culture references have rather thoroughly blurred where certain pieces of Friday the 13th mythology actually began.

The new disc is accompanied by a substantial selection of previously produced extras. Cunningham joins members of the cast and crew for an audio commentary, while Friday the 13th Reunion brings together figures connected with the production. Also included are Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th, The Man Behind the Legacy: Sean S. Cunningham, Lost Tales from Camp Blood – Part 1, The Friday the 13th Chronicles and Secrets Galore Behind the Gore – Friday the 13th.

The 4K presentation comes in the film’s 1.85:1 aspect ratio, with English DTS-HD Master Audio among the audio options and English SDH subtitles included. Warner Bros. has rated the UK release 18.

Released in 1980, Cunningham’s film proved successful enough to begin a franchise that would continue through numerous sequels and eventually a 2009 remake. The series changed considerably along the way, particularly as Jason developed into its central figure, but Camp Crystal Lake and the events surrounding it began here, in this film.

Friday the 13th will be released in the UK on 4K Ultra HD and 4K UHD SteelBook on 12 October 2026, with both editions available to pre-order now from all good outlets.

Friday the 13th trailer