An American Werewolf in London 4K: Should Arrow Owners Upgrade to Universal?
Universal uses the Arrow master, adds Dolby Atmos, drops the mono track. Whether to upgrade depends on what you already own.
Universal's 45th Anniversary Edition of An American Werewolf in London lands October 6 at $24.96, and it uses the same 4K master Arrow produced for their 2022 limited edition. That is the first thing to know. The second is that Universal added Dolby Atmos, which Arrow did not have. The third is that Universal dropped the original mono track, which Arrow did include. Whether any of that changes what you should buy depends entirely on what you already own.
What the Transfer Actually Is
The 4K master is confirmed across blu-ray.com forum threads from August 2026 (pages 27 through 34) as Arrow's existing scan used as the base for this release. Dolby Vision and HDR10 are both present. The new Dolby Atmos mix is the addition. Forum members note the howls in the surrounds specifically as effective. What is missing: the original English DTS-HD mono track Arrow included, which remains the loudest collector complaint, and Arrow's new supplements are not present.
Should Arrow LE Owners Upgrade?
No, with one exception. Same transfer, Atmos in exchange for mono, no new extras. The Arrow Limited Edition on the secondary market runs $45 to $60. You paid fair value for a disc that is still better spec'd for the audio purist. The only argument for buying the Universal is if Dolby Atmos in your surround setup is a genuine priority. If that is not you, the Arrow does not need replacing.
For First-Time 4K Buyers
Buy at $24.96. John Landis's film is the benchmark werewolf movie, Rick Baker's transformation sequence won the first Oscar the Academy gave for makeup, and this is the right price for a definitive horror title at Halloween. The transfer is Arrow-quality with Dolby Vision and Atmos. Nothing about this release is a compromise at that price.
The Rest of This Week's Slate
Little Shop of Horrors (1986) releases the same day from Warner Bros. in 4K at $24.96, and it is the stronger story. The 40th anniversary set includes both the theatrical cut and the full director's cut in 4K for the first time. The director's cut restores Frank Oz's original dark ending where Audrey II wins, a meaningfully different film that test audiences rejected in 1986. Forum consensus on the newly remastered transfer is strong.
Arrow Video also releases The Addiction (1995) this week. Abel Ferrara's black-and-white NYC vampire film, brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision, $24.99. First time this title has had a proper 4K scan, and Lili Taylor deserves better than the existing transfers.
Dark Sky Selects announced Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) for October 27, exclusive to their own site only. 40th anniversary, 4K Steelcase, John McNaughton. No price yet but it will sell out. Check darkskyfilms.com.
The Verdict by Buyer Type
First-time 4K buyer: American Werewolf London at $24.96 is an obvious yes. Arrow LE owner: skip Universal unless Atmos is a priority. Hunting Dolby Atmos specifically: yes, this is the version. Weighing the whole week: Little Shop of Horrors is the better value story and the one that will still matter to collectors in ten years.
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