“The Devil’s Backbone” is coming to 4K UHD for the first time

STUDIOCANAL is marking the 25th anniversary of “The Devil's Backbone”, from film-maker Guillermo del Toro, with a stunning new 4K restoration.

Presented for the first time in a beautifully curated 4K UHD Collector’s Edition box set, and also available digitally from 13th 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 UHD 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. 

Extras on the release include:

• 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: Multi-Angle 
• Special Effects Featurettes 
• Director's Notebook 
• Picture Gallery 
• Theatrical Trailer 

Following on from a limited run of the new restoration in cinemas in December 2025, “The Devil's Backbone” will also screen at the BFI later in 2026 as part of a Guillermo del Toro retrospective. Find out more at https://www.bfi.org.uk/bfi-southbank.