All 236 episodes can be yours in 4K resolution when Friends gets released as a UHD Blu-ray boxset in September – if you are willing to pay a steep price.

The beloved sitcom featuring Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Joey and Rachel ran for 10 seasons. Premiering in September 1994, it is no coincidence that the 4K re-release is scheduled for this September, exactly 30 years later.

Warner reports that the episodes have been watched over 71 billion times in the US. Internationally, viewers spent 1.4 billion hours watching Friends across channels and streaming services in 2023 alone. This does not include the time spent watching on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray.


Like "night and day"
Older films and series can be re-released in "true" 4K resolution if they were shot on film, which can be re-scanned and remastered in the studio.

An expanded range of color and brightness can also be extracted for use with HDR (High Dynamic Range). Friends will be presented in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR. The audio will be in 5.1-channel surround sound in DTS-HD MA.

Director Kevin Bright commented on the project in 2021 in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter:

- "We shot Friends all on film and I’d like to see all the shows remastered in 4K for the future. I remastered 12 of the episodes for movie theaters two years ago and got to see the original negatives and do color correction on them. It’s night and day, even from HD. That’s what I’d like to get over the fence next," said Kevin Bright.


Will be expensive
In addition to the 236 half-hour episodes, the set will include over 20 hours of extra content, including never-before-seen bonus material. It is a massive 25-disc boxset.

However, it will come at a high price. The box set can be pre-ordered in the US for $225 on amazon.com.

It will be available starting September 23 in Europe and September 24 in the US.


More TV series in 4K
Warner has been hard at work preparing popular series for re-release in 4K. Many of these series are already available in 4K on the Max streaming service, including Barry, Chernobyl, Sex and the City, Succession, Hacks, and Euphoria.

Warner's efforts to bring older series to life continue, with The Sopranos reportedly also coming in a remastered 4K edition sometime in the near future.