The Devil's Backbone (2001) 25th Anniversary 4K UHD Collector's Edition Announced by STUDIOCANAL
By Lio Renwick
STUDIOCANAL is releasing The Devil's Backbone (2001) on 4K UHD Blu-ray in April to commemorate the film's 25th anniversary. The Collector's Edition box set marks the first time Guillermo del Toro's acclaimed Spanish Civil War ghost story has been presented in 4K format.
The release includes a new 4K restoration with Dolby Vision and HDR presentation, alongside an extensive collection of archival and newly produced bonus materials. The set features both 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs, two posters including new artwork by visual artist Krishna Bala Shenoi, and a 64-page booklet.
The package contains three audio commentaries with del Toro, a new introduction by the director, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and video pieces comparing sketches and storyboards to finished scenes.
The Devil's Backbone releases April 13, 2026.
Full release details are below.
Description
STUDIOCANAL proudly marks 25 years since The Devil's Backbone (El Espinazo del Diablo) first terrified and moved audiences with a stunning new 4K restoration of Oscar winning Guillermo del Toro's (Frankenstein, The Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth) highly acclaimed 2001 masterpiece.
Presented for the first time in a beautifully curated 4K Blu-ray Collector's Edition box set, and also available digitally from 13 April, The Devil's Backbone stands as a haunting and deeply emotional work of modern horror from one of cinema's most distinctive visionary voices.
Widely regarded as one of del Toro's finest achievements – and a spiritual companion piece to his later classic Pan's Labyrinth – the film showcases his unparalleled talent for blending the supernatural with historical trauma, transforming ghost stories into powerful meditations on memory, innocence, and violence.
Produced by Pedro Almodóvar (Volver, All About My Mother), the film boasts an excellent Spanish cast including Fernando Tielve (Imagining Argentina), Eduardo Noriega (Open Your Eyes), Marisa Paredes (All About My Mother) and Junio Valverde (The Orphanage), alongside Argentina's Federico Luppi (Cronos).
As General Franco's fascists close in on victory during the final days of the Spanish Civil War, 12-year-old Carlos arrives at a remote orphanage for children of left-wing families. Soon after arriving, Carlos discovers the orphanage is haunted by Santi, a dead boy who stalks the building's dark hallways and seeks revenge for his tragic death…
From visionary director Guillermo del Toro The Devil's Backbone is a deeply moving yet haunting tale of war, loss and the ghosts we leave behind.
The Collector's Edition will include copies of the film on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray, two posters including new artwork by visual artist Krishna Bala Shenoi, a 64-page booklet and an extensive offering of bonus material including audio commentaries, deleted scenes, 'Behind the scenes', 'the Making of' and an original EPK featurette, plus a brand new introduction by Guillermo del Toro himself.
Special Features and Technical Specs
- New 4K restoration of the film
- Dolby Vision/HDR presentation of the film
- New Introduction by director Guillermo del Toro
- Audio commentary with Guillermo del Toro (Sony, 2004)
- Audio commentary with Guillermo del Toro (Optimum, 2011)
- Audio Commentary with Director Guillermo del Toro and Cinematographer Guillermo Navarro
- Video Prologue (Intro by Guillermo del Toro)
- Behind the Scenes Of Ghosts and Fauns: Del Toro's Spanish Civil War
- Original EPK Featurette "Que es un Fantasma?" - The Making of The Devil's Backbone
- Deleted Scenes: With Optional Commentary
- Sketch, Storyboard, Screen - a collection of video pieces offering side-by-side comparisons of director Guillermo del Toro's initial thumbnail sketches, Carlos Gimenez's production storyboards, and the corresponding scenes from the final cut of the film
- Featurettes
- Director's Notebook
- Picture Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer
- In Spanish, with English subtitles
Physical media enthusiast covering Blu-ray & 4K UHD releases.