There’s a certain kind of ’80s studio swing that doesn’t get made anymore: big-concept sci-fi, a comedy engine, and blockbuster craft in the same package. One of the best examples is a 120-minute ride that’s been quietly winning new fans for years because the jokes still snap, the pacing never drags, and the effects remain impressively tactile.
A big reason it’s aged like fine wine is the talent stack. Director Joe Dante’s mischievous touch, honed on Gremlins and The ‘Burbs, keeps the movie sharp instead of cute. On top of it, the hook is instantly readable: a daring miniaturization experiment goes wrong, and suddenly a life-or-death mission is happening inside an ordinary guy’s body. That premise lets the film juggle slapstick, suspense, and romance without ever losing clarity.
Now the payoff for collectors: Arrow Video has announced a Limited Edition 4K UHD release of Innerspace, priced at $45 (RRP $59.99) and scheduled for April 28, 2026. It’s a brand-new restoration from the original 35mm negative approved by Dante, presented in 2160p with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). Audio options include restored 2.0 stereo, the original 70mm 6-track mix in DTS-HD MA 4.1, and a newly remixed Dolby Atmos track, plus SDH subtitles. The 4K release is stacked with extras too — including a new commentary by critic Drew McWeeny, an archive commentary with Dante and VFX supervisor Dennis Muren, an hour-long making-of documentary, previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage (including at Industrial Light & Magic), galleries, a reversible sleeve, a fold-out poster, and a perfect-bound booklet.
‘Innerspace’ Had a Modest Box Office Run Back in 1987
Innerspace was released in wide play on July 3, 1987, and debuted with a $4.74M opening weekend and finished at $25.89M in the U.S./Canada — solid legs for a quirky, effects-heavy original, but not a runaway summer juggernaut. Where it arguably did better, however, was beyond North America. Trade reporting and later tallies peg the film at roughly $95M worldwide on a $27M budget, with worldwide rentals often cited around $42M, meaning it ultimately performed like a real studio win once international and downstream revenue are factored in. That’s also probably what has anchored the 4K release in after all these years. There’s an audience likely waiting to bag it.
Innerspace is available to stream on HBO Max and will be available in 4K on April 28, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Release Date
July 1, 1987
Runtime
120 minutes
Director
Joe Dante
Writers
Chip Proser
Producers
Frank Marshall, Jon Peters, Kathleen Kennedy, Michael Finnell, Peter Guber