You know that scene—I mean, you really know that scene—where Eric Draven stumbles back into what’s left of his apartment? Rain’s pouring in like the weather’s got a grudge, and The Cure’s “Burn” starts up, all moody and electric. The room’s trashed, heartbreak is everywhere, and Brandon Lee just moves through it with this raw, aching mix of grief and anger. It hits harder than any breakup mixtape you wore out in ’94. It’s goth poetry, pure and simple. Honestly, I think half of us can blame this moment for why we spent the ’90s in black, pretending we were deeper than we probably were.

But once you’ve soaked up all that guitar feedback and pain, the rest of the movie just keeps coming for you.

Alex Proyas’ The Crow is somehow both a wild revenge fantasy and a gut punch. And that’s before you even think about the real-life heartbreak behind it. Brandon Lee—who should’ve had a whole career ahead of him—died during filming. Proyas shut everything down for a year, then finished the movie with Lee’s family’s blessing. He didn’t do it out of obligation; he did it because Lee made this story matter.

The movie’s based on James O’Barr’s graphic novel, which he wrote while wrestling with his own grief. Eric Draven (Lee) is a musician, hopelessly in love with his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas). They make the mistake of thinking their slumlords might actually care, and the local gang responds the way local gangs do: with violence. A year later, Eric claws his way out of the grave—literally—because a supernatural crow decides he’s got unfinished business.

Then there’s Top Dollar (Michael Wincott, who sounds like he gargles gravel) and his girlfriend (Bai Ling), who somehow figures out Eric’s whole undead deal. And yeah, it’s “based on a comic book,” but don’t expect capes or cheesy one-liners. This is something else.

If you’re Gen X, The Crow is part of your DNA—right next to memories of dropping $17.99 on a CD for one good song. It’s a cult classic that showed what a dark comic-book movie could be, way before studios figured out how to sell brooding heroes to the masses. But you can’t talk about it without someone sighing, because Brandon Lee’s death is woven into every frame.

Here’s the thing: the movie didn’t just survive that tragedy—it became timeless because of it. Lee’s performance isn’t just “good for an action movie.” It’s good, period. It should’ve made him a star for years. Instead, we got this one masterpiece, and because we never got more, it became mythic. Gen X didn’t just watch The Crow; we made it a part of who we are. Probably on a T-shirt.

And let’s be real: you don’t get Blade, The Matrix, or any of those brooding, leather-clad antiheroes without The Crow walking in first, soaked and furious.

The soundtrack? Forget it. It lived in our heads for years: The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Rage, Pantera. It was the mixtape for everyone who doodled lyrics in their notebooks instead of paying attention in class. Plenty of movies have tried to copy that “soundtrack as personality” thing, but almost all of them missed the mark.

As for the reboots—yeah, Hollywood keeps trying. And every time, fans just kind of smile and shake their heads. You can copy the makeup, the coat, the rooftops, but you can’t copy Brandon Lee being Brandon Lee. That humanity inside the monster? You can’t remake that.

That’s the real legacy: a film that shouldn’t have worked, carried by a performance that can’t be repeated, wrapped in style, pain, and that fierce, beautiful anger only the ’90s could deliver.

It wasn’t just a movie. It was a mood. Honestly? It still is.

And if you’re the kind of person who gets that—or you just like having something cool to hold—the Walmart steelbook is the kind of collectible we used to line up for before everything went digital. For about thirty bucks, you get the new 4K transfer, a gorgeous steelbook, and a reminder that not everything needs to be streamed and forgotten.

Just don’t wait too long. Walmart’s app moves slower than a goth kid in a cemetery, and these things don’t last.

30th Anniversary Edition / 4K Ultra HD + Digital 4K | Steelbook

Home Video Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Available on Blu-ray - May 7, 2024
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English; English SDH; French; German; Italian; Japanese; Spanish; Danish; Dutch; Finnish; Korean; Norwegian; Swedish
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; German: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 5.1; Italian: Dolby Digital 2.0
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

A year after he and his fiancée are brutally murdered, musician Eric Draven rises from the grave — fueled by the spirit of a crow and a burning vengeance. In this dark, atmospheric cult classic, Brandon Lee delivers a haunting, unforgettable performance as he stalks the night to punish those who destroyed his world. Featuring a newly restored 4K image, Dolby Vision + HDR10 color depth, and pulse-pounding surround sound — this steelbook edition is the definitive way to relive (or discover) The Crow for the first time. Haunted, beautiful, and punishing — some love demands debt be paid in blood.

VIDEO

Movies that live in shadow and gloom? Yeah, those are the ones that usually get murdered on home media. You know the drill: crushed blacks, lost detail, weird digital scrubbing. Thankfully, Paramount didn’t phone it in. This native 2160p scan from the original camera negatives is downright gorgeous. Every shade of black lands exactly where it should, without losing the texture or depth that makes this movie look alive.

The original grain is intact, no overzealous cleanup, no weird digital “helping hand” that ruins the period feel. But what isn’t stuck in 1994? The insane level of detail. Sets, costumes, props — everything — suddenly jumps out at you. Rivets, wrinkles, beads of water — all captured with loving precision. And then comes the DOLBY Vision/HDR10 magic: rim lighting glows, splashes of color pop just enough to break the gloom, and the whole thing feels like it’s finally breathing on your TV.

Bottom line: this is a home-cinema slam dunk. Faithful to the original, elevated by modern tech, and presented at a resolution you’ve never really seen before. It’s a rare win for a dark, broody classic — and yes, it absolutely deserves the hype.

AUDIO

The audio on this release is a total knockout. The DTS‑HD Master Audio 5.1 mix wraps you in the film’s moody, rain-soaked streets, with every creak, splash, and whispered threat landing with real presence. Graeme Revell’s haunting score gets room to breathe, and the alt‑rock tracks — from The Cure to Rage — hit with punch and clarity that feels like they were in the studio yesterday, not thirty years ago.

Surround channels are used thoughtfully, giving subtle cues like crow wings flapping or footsteps echoing in empty alleys, while dialogue stays crystal clear even in the thick of the chaos. It’s an immersive, dynamic mix that elevates the 4K visuals, making the film feel fully alive for the first time at home.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• This release comes loaded with an audio commentary that’s a real treat for fans. Alex Proyas, along with producer Jeff Most and author John Shirley, walks you through the film’s creation with a mix of insight, behind-the-scenes stories, and a little dark humor. They dive into everything from the design of the sets and costumes to the practical stunts and visual effects, giving you a sense of just how meticulous (and sometimes chaotic) the shoot was. It’s thoughtful without being dry, full of anecdotes that make you feel like you’re wandering the soundstages alongside them, and it really deepens your appreciation for Brandon Lee’s performance and the care taken to finish the movie after his tragic death.

Special Features:

The Walmart 4K steelbook doesn’t just look and sound incredible — it’s packed with features that make diving back into The Crow a full-on experience. There’s a three-part behind-the-scenes doc, Shadows & Pain: Designing The Crow, with production designer Alex McDowell walking you through the sets, costumes, and visual design. You also get a lively audio commentary from Alex Proyas, Jeff Most, and author John Shirley, plus deleted and extended scenes, vintage behind-the-scenes footage, a feature on James O’Barr and the comic book origins, and the original theatrical trailer. On top of that, a digital copy rounds out the package, giving fans everything they could want to revisit this dark, iconic classic.

• Shadows & Pain: Designing The Crow – 3-part behind-the-scenes documentary with production designer Alex McDowell
• Audio commentary by Alex Proyas, producer Jeff Most, and author John Shirley
• Deleted and extended scenes
• Featurettes on James O’Barr and the graphic novel origins
• Behind-the-scenes footage from the set
• Original theatrical trailer
• Digital copy included (Vudu)

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 102 mins
Director: Alex Proyas
Writer: James O'Barr; David J. Schow
Cast: Brandon Lee; Rochelle Davis; Ernie Hudson
Genre: Supernatural Horror
Tagline: Believe in angels.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Can't rain all the time..."
Theatrical Distributor: Miramax
Official Site:
Release Date: May 13, 1994
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: Ma7, 2024.
Synopsis: The night before his wedding, musician Eric Draven and his fiancée are brutally murdered by members of a violent gang. On the anniversary of their death, Eric rises from the grave and assumes the mantle of the Crow, a supernatural avenger.