How can films be re-released later in a higher resolution?

Question

I can understand how movies can be released at higher resolutions a short time after original release, like a couple years. But I’ve seen some movies get released a whole decade later in *MUCH* higher quality than the original release. Like, how does something released in the 90’s or 2000’s get a 4k UltraHD release now?

In: Technology

Answer 1

They were filmed in a better resolution than was affordable to distribute widely at the time. The original still exists and can be duplicated with today’s technology now.