This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

One fake sick day sends high school senior Ferris Bueller, his girlfriend Sloane and his best friend Cameron on the adventure of their young lives, as they ditch school and take off on a raucous journey through Chicago as they stay one step ahead of their principal and Ferris’s sister.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was reviewed previously in the John Hughes 5-Movie Collection which you can read about here.

Video Quality

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off makes its eagerly anticipated 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut with a really fetching 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer that easily makes a coaster out of the previous Blu-Ray release. That Paramount Blu-Ray release from 2009 has been covered on this site in multiple forms, so we definitely can compare despite only a 4K UHD disc being included in this new release. That disc has always been considered one of the weaker discs on the format with an ancient master, lifeless appearance and DNR for days to complete the highly artificial look. The film has finally been given the remaster it deserves and served up on 4K UHD. While still not 100% perfect, it serves as a tremendous upgrade from the abysmal previous release.

Unlike the previous release, this new 4K UHD Blu-Ray retains most of the natural film grain which allows much more texture and detail within the transfer. For the first time on home entertainment, you can clearly see more distinct aspects of the production design in Ferris’ room or within the multitude of environments that are visited during this epic day off. The clarity of the transfer brings forth a greater amount of facial detail, and thanks to this the performers appear more textured and natural than ever before.

We say “most” because, as we always fear from Paramount to one degree or another, this transfer does have some scenes that have been hit with a bit of DNR which robs the film of its organic appearance. While mostly related to optical shots, we prefer to just let the film look like film in all of its natural glory. This is far from the most egregious instance we have seen from the company, and most will probably be able to overlook it all together.

The implementation of Dolby Vision to this presentation enriches this one to glorious heights. Ferris comes across many colorful environments that are able to deliver more nuance than ever before. From the famous red Ferrari to particular articles of clothing, hues radiate off the screen. The picture maintains an excellent amount of detail in shadowy environments. Black levels exercise a much greater depth and control than the anemic looking Blu-Ray release. Highlights are likewise much more robust and stable without veering into blooming. All print damage has been eliminated for a clean and consistent viewing experience. This transfer is a great improvement for fans who have been waiting too long for an acceptable release.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray gets an upgrade to Dolby Atmos which elevates the soundscape to new heights. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without any sound effects or the soundtrack overwhelming important information. While this may be a comedy, the Dolby Atmos track gets to have some fun in certain sequences such as the iconic parade. The height channels complement the audio experience quite favorably by allowing the world to feel more three-dimensional. Straightforward scenes still provide distinct sounds that round out the surrounds to provide some ambient details. All of the sounds in the new mix seem carefully implemented so that nothing ever feels incorrectly positioned. The highly evocative soundtrack has never sounded better as it flows through the room with flawless fidelity. The subwoofer makes itself known when the scene calls for it, but it will not bring the house down. Paramount has provided a nice audio upgrade for this title.

Special Features

This new release is provided with an optional sleek SteelBook that is quite fetching in person. The front artwork is a depiction of Ferris cockily leaning back in the Ferrari, and the rear features a continuation of that image with his feet hanging over the door. The interior sports a still photo of Ferris, Cameron and Sloane posing in the museum. This is the exact SteelBook which was used for the Blu-Ray re-release from 2021, so photos of that SteelBook can be found at the end of this review. The only difference is the removal of the Blu-Ray logo for this release.

Audio Commentary: Director John Hughes has his audio commentary track restored for the first time since the DVD era, and audiences will really appreciate the effort. Hughes provides some great information about the performers on set, the motivations behind certain creative decisions, and a lot more that is well worth a listen.

Getting The Class Together – The Cast of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: A 28-minute featurette that traces the assembly of the cast through cast and crew interviews. This piece touches on Broderick’s initial hesitation with the project, the friendship between Broderick and Ruck, Jennifer Grey being sold on the film after meeting John Hughes and much more.

The Making of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: A 16-minute piece in which the cast and crew once again discuss the rapid pace at which the film was written, the abilities of Hughes as a director, dissect the creation of various scenes and more.

Who Is Ferris Bueller?: A 9-minute featurette in which the cast and crew discuss the various characteristics that are key to the titular character and what makes him such a special creation.

The World According To Ben Stein: An 11-minute piece in which Stein discusses the importance of Bueller in his career, his start in the entertainment industry, the fame he has gained from the project, the themes of the film and more.

Vintage Ferris Bueller – The Lost Tapes: A 10-minute featurette in which Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, and Jeffrey Jones joke around and discuss their experiences working on the film. This is one of the more informal and enjoyable pieces on the disc.

Final Thoughts

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off has maintained a level of cultural relevance over all of these years thanks to its timeless comedic qualities. There is something very relatable about wanting to skip out on your responsibilities so you can go on an adventure with your friends. The entire ensemble perfectly brings these characters to life and the John Hughes script never falters. It is a comedy you can return to again and again. Paramount Home Entertainment has released a terrific new 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a top notch A/V presentation and even the return of an archival audio commentary to the special features. If you have been waiting for this movie to get a worthy release, the time has come. Highly Recommended

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.