‘Tequila Sunrise’: Star-Studded 1988 Crime Thriller Set for 4K UHD Release!!

Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer walk into a restaurant. No, it’s not a joke, it’s a star-studded crime thriller from Chinatown screenwriter Robert Towne. Back in 1988, Russell had already starred in Escape from New York and Big Trouble in Little China, Gibson was fresh off Lethal Weapon, and Pfeiffer was approaching her Oscar-nominated turn in Dangerous Liaisons, so putting the three of them together was bound to produce a classic. And now, it’s back for more.

Tequila Sunrise is roaring back and is officially getting a Limited Edition 4K UHD release from Arrow Video on September 15, 2026, 38 years after its original theatrical debut. The release features a new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative, complete with Dolby Vision.

The film follows Dale McKussic, played by Gibson, as he attempts to leave his drug dealing criminal past behind him but, unfortunately, his longtime friend Nick Frescia (Russell) happens to be a police detective investigating a Mexican drug kingpin, which makes things a bit awkward since they’re on opposing sides of the law. And then, things become even messier when both men catch feels for restaurant owner Jo Ann Vallenari (Pfeiffer).

How Successful Was ‘Tequila Sunrise’?

Despite the fact it received a mixed response from critics initially, Tequila Sunrise became a huge commercial hit as you’d expect from a cast like that. It grossed more than $100 million worldwide, while legendary cinematographer Conrad Hall earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.

Those visuals are arguably the biggest reason to revisit the movie in 4K. Hall was responsible for the cinematography of classics including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and would later win Academy Awards for both American Beauty and Road to Perdition. The release also has restored stereo and 4.0 audio alongside an audio commentary and an interview with producer Thom Mount, a new Robert Towne appreciation from academic Lucy Bolton, alongside additional interviews with second assistant director Robert Roda and actor Lala Sloatman, and a collector’s booklet featuring new essays and archival material from American Cinematographer.