Kurt Russell’s Forgotten Crime Thriller Is Getting A New Release 38 Years Later

Kurt Russell is earning new recognition for an old, forgotten role.

The actor’s crime thriller movie lost to time is getting a new, exclusive release 38 years later, featuring plenty of fresh elements built on the movie’s foundation. Russell’s best movies include a number of action-packed, crime-focused thrillers, taking place across a wide array of genres. Some of his most memorable performances include Wyatt Earp in the Western film Tombstone, the no-nonsense Snake Plissken in Escape from New York, and truck driver-turned-martial artist Jack Burton in the fantasy action comedy Big Trouble in Little China.

However, there are some action roles Russell took on decades ago that have since been lost to time. One of these is Tequila Sunrise, a 1988 romantic crime thriller directed by Robert Towne. The movie follows two friends, Mac (Mel Gibson), a former drug dealer, and Nick (Russell), a decorated detective, who end up in conflict after Nick begins an affair with Jo Ann (Michelle Pfeiffer), a restaurant owner and Mac’s love interest. This unwittingly pulls Mac into a police sting operation as Nick tracks down a drug lord, leading to major, action-focused consequences.

Now, Arrow Video has confirmed that Tequila Sunrise will be getting a limited edition 4K UHD release on September 14, 2026, 38 years after the movie’s original theatrical release. The set features a 4K restoration of the original movie made for Dolby Vision Blu-ray presentation, alongside restored lossless audio and English subtitles. It also comes with a number of bonus features, including an audio commentary track from producer Thom Mount. Mount is also the subject of a new interview, “California Dreaming,” that comes with the release.

Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise

In addition, the release also includes “From Chinatown to Manhattan Beach,” an appreciation of writer-director Robert Towne, whose work also included writing the screenplay for Chinatown. “Sunrise to Sunset” features a new interview with 2nd AD Robert Roda about the movie, while “Sin City” sees actor Lala Sloatman take the mic and talk about the film. It also includes a digital image gallery, the original theatrical trailer, a Collectors’ booklet on the movie with writing from Sean Hogan and Josh Nelson, and a reversible cover with two image options.

Russell and Pfeiffer currently star together in the Paramount+ drama The Madison.

The movie was Towne’s second written and directed film, and was nominated for Best Cinematography at the Oscars. While it’s not remembered as one of Russell or Gibson’s biggest roles, the movie was a box office success thanks to the pull of its stars, earning $105.9 million against a $23 million budget. However, the film earned mixed reviews from critics, currently holding a 52% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 33 reviews. However, despite being polarizing, this forgotten crime romance movie delivers with plenty of action and twists within its story.

With the 4K UHD release just a month away, it can bring the Russell-led movie back into the spotlight with a compelling narrative as friction between him and Gibson’s character plays out. Although Tequila Sunrise isn’t as well-remembered as some of his other movies, it’s still a compelling film that’s worth giving a watch thanks to its strong lead cast members.