37 Years Later, Robin Williams’ Most Inspirational Drama Officially Returns With New Release

Published Sep 29, 2026, 4:21 PM EDT Jeff Dodge (he/him), a published author and graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena. Fun Fact: he’s been to every single Idol Live! Tour. After Robin Williams' tragic death in 2014, his films continue to live on, including a brand-new release of his most inspirational drama. He wasn't just a comedian; throughout his career, Williams also starred in several dramatic roles, including in Good Will Hunting, Good Morning, Vietnam, Insomnia, One Hour Photo, and Boulevard. His performance in Good Will Hunting earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Williams also received nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAs for Dead Poets Society, a drama released in 1989 that saw the actor play John Keating, an English teacher at Welton Academy who becomes a huge inspiration to his students. Quotes from Dead Poets Society, like "O Captain! My Captain!" have become iconic lines in movie history. Peter Weir directed the film from a screenplay by Tom Schulman, who would go on to win an Academy Award for his script. Robin Williams' Dead Poets Society Is Back In Style Now, 37 years later, the inspirational drama is making a comeback. Dead Poets Society has just been released in 4K on digital platforms and a two-disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray combo pack. With the film now restored in 4K resolution, this new version has enhanced visuals in High Dynamic Range (HDR) and immersive audio design with Dolby Atmos audio track. The 4K Blu-ray includes the featurettes Dead Poets: A Look Back, Master of Sound: Alan Splet and Cinematography Master Class, which include interviews with director Peter Weir, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and David Lynch, as well as an intensive lighting workshop. There's also an audio commentary with Weir, cinematographer John Seale and Schulman. The Drama Overcame Mixed Reviews To Be An Inspirational Classic Back in 1989, Dead Poets Society wasn't the classic film that it's considered now. Critics like Roger Ebert had mixed feelings about the drama, but over the years, that sentiment has changed for the better, with Dead Poets Society now securing an 85% critics' score and a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. At the box office, it earned $235.8 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, behind only Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Batman, Back to the Future Part II, and Look Who's Talking. After Dead Poets Society, Williams starred in more iconic movies, like Hook, Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, The Birdcage, Flubber, Patch Adams, Bicentennial Man, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Happy Feet, and Night at the Museum. But Dead Poets Society remains his most inspirational project, and now fans can experience the film all over again, this time in 4K. Release Date June 2, 1989 Runtime 129 minutes Director Peter Weir Cast Robert Sean Leonard Neil Perry Writers Tom Schulman Producers Paul Junger Witt, Steven Haft Main Genre Drama Budget $16.4 million Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures