The horror genre is experiencing a remarkable renaissance that rivals the heyday of the 1980s. 2023 has proven to be another monumental year for horror, with box office hits like M3GAN, Scream VI, and Evil Dead Rise delivering terrifying experiences. This success builds upon the bloodcurdling triumphs of 2022, which featured numerous brilliant genre-defining films that left moviegoers trembling in fear. Among them, none achieved the same financial success as the uniquely marketed psychological horror sensation, Smile. Now, nearly a year later, this critically acclaimed film is set to make its chilling debut in 4K.

Dawn of the Disc recently took to their social media accounts to announce that Smile will be released in a 4K Blu-ray format, packaged in a sinister-looking steelbook. While the special features seem to remain the same as the previous Blu-ray release, the Steelbook showcases new cover artwork featuring one of Smile’s alternative posters. The artwork depicts a shadowy figure, hanging upside down, with the film’s distinctive deadly smile plastered across their face. The red and black color scheme invokes unsettling flashbacks for horror enthusiasts who remember this diabolical exploration of trauma. Similar to the Blu-ray version, this updated release will include the short film Laura Hasn’t Slept, upon which Smile was based.

What is Smile About?
Smile delves into the dark realms of psychological horror, following Dr. Rose Cotter after one of her new patients dies by suicide in a profoundly eerie and inexplicable manner. Subsequently, Rose begins to experience disturbing hallucinations involving demons with a hauntingly grinning presence, pushing her to the brink of insanity. Matters worsen when her dark past resurfaces from the depths. While Smile may not be the most groundbreaking film in terms of originality, it compensates with its thick atmosphere and stellar performances. Director Parker Finn effectively taps into the fears of horror audiences, while actors Sosie Bacon (13 Reasons Why, Scream: The TV Series) and Kyle Gallner (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream) deliver exceptional performances that intensify the dread of this unholy predicament. It stands as a well-crafted horror thriller akin to the likes of It Follows and The Ring. Thus, it was gratifying to witness the film become a resounding success.

Thanks to a stellar and imaginative marketing campaign, both horror enthusiasts and non-genre fans flocked to theaters to experience Smile’s horrors. After an incredibly successful opening weekend, the film went on to amass a staggering $217.4 million worldwide, despite its modest $17 million budget. In today’s blockbuster-driven landscape, such financial achievements are rare unless one bears a franchise name like Scream or Halloween. Smile’s triumph demonstrated that there is ample space for low-budgeted horror films and that nothing quite matches the genre’s impact in cinemas. In fact, the film outperformed the latest Scream movies, Evil Dead Rise, and Halloween Ends. Unsurprisingly, a sequel, Smile 2, is already in development.

When Will Smile be Available in 4K?
Smile’s 4K Blu-ray steel book edition is scheduled for release on September 12, 2023, priced at $30.99. As the release date approaches, the price is likely to decrease. Pre-orders for the new edition are now open on Amazon. Smile can also be currently streamed on Paramount+. Check out the trailer below for a glimpse into its terrifying world.

***PRE-ORDER***

Smile 4K UHD Steelbook https://t.co/iUlARrMEU1

Street Date: 9/12#FilmTwitter #4KUltraHD #Steelbook #Horror #Smile

— Dawn of The Discs (@dawnofthediscs) June 26, 2023