The Last of Us: Complete Second Season (Steelbook)
(Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, Pedro Pascal, Young Mazino, et al / 3-Disc 4K Ultra HD Steelbook / NR / 2025 / HBO Home Video)
Overview: Following the Emmy® Award-winning debut season, Season Two of the HBO® Original Series The Last of Us, continues the emotionally charged journey of survival, loss, and humanity in a post-pandemic world.
Based on the famed video game of the same name, The Last of Us continues to captivate audiences with its compelling storytelling and stunning performances.
Now, fans can own all seven episodes of the critically acclaimed second season along with nearly two hours of special features including two never-before-been-seen featurettes, when Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment releases The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 23rd, 2025.
Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.
4K UHD Blu-ray Verdict: HBO Home Video is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the highly anticipated The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this September 23rd, 2025.
For my money, this The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season’s sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.
So, what we have is The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season presented to us as a three-disc. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: Native 4K (2160p), HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 and Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1.
Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHDs, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this series gloriously shines within them all.
Noticeably crisp with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what is more is that it is enjoyably noticeable. For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision, we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color, which makes the eyes draw in, for sure.
As for the audio, well we get the small choice of: English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit).
Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.
As for the TV series itself, well, Season One of The Last of Us was nothing short of phenomenal. Every single episode kept me on the edge of my seat - beautifully written, emotionally gripping, and incredibly well-acted. It truly felt like peak television.
Season Two is still strong, though, and in all truth, it couldn’t quite reach the same heights as the first. The story took a bold turn with Joel’s death, which was difficult to watch but understandable given the game’s storyline. Even if it didn’t hit as hard as the first season, it still delivered powerful performances and compelling drama.
The brilliance of the series lies in its masterful exploration of the core human connection. The relationship between Joel and Ellie is the emotional backbone of the entire show. Their journey begins as a mere transaction - a desperate man hired for a desperate mission - but slowly blossoms into a complex and deeply moving father-daughter bond.
Joel, haunted by his past and consumed by grief, is a perfect representation of a man who has lost everything and is hesitant to love again. Ellie, on the other hand, is not a naive child; she is a symbol of hope and resilience who must navigate a world that demands a rapid loss of innocence. Their dynamic is the engine that drives the series, proving that even in the darkest of times, human connection is our most powerful tool.
Beyond this central relationship, the show unflinchingly reveals the dark side of humanity. It presents a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred. Survival necessitates moral compromises, and the series is unafraid to show us the worst of people - from the brutality of raiders to the chilling actions of those who believe they are righteous.
It exposes the ugly truth that people are often a greater threat than the Infected themselves, highlighting our capacity for cruelty when resources are scarce and trust is non-existent.
From a technical standpoint, the series is a triumph. The direction is meticulous, focusing on emotional depth and character-driven moments rather than just action. This deliberate pacing allows the audience to fully invest in the characters’ psychological and emotional journeys.
The acting is nothing short of superb. Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel is a masterclass in subtlety and suppressed emotion, while Bella Ramsey delivers a stunning performance as Ellie, capturing both her fierce spirit and vulnerability. Their chemistry makes their bond feel utterly authentic and earned.
Overall, both seasons were highly enjoyable, and the series remains one of the best video game adaptations I’ve ever seen.
Season two returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, and Rutina Wesley as Maria. New cast includes Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars as therapist, Gail.
The Last of Us, based on the acclaimed video franchise developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation® consoles, is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin (Emmy® Award-winning creator of HBO’s “Chernobyl”) and Neil Druckmann (creator and writer of the award-winning “The Last of Us” franchise and Naughty Dog Studio Head).
The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and is also executive produced by Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells; with writer/co-executive producer Halley Gross. Production companies: PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog.
EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES:
• Ellie’s Ultimate Revenge (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – Join the cast and crew as we discover what is fueling Ellie’s revenge and the rage within. What lead her on this path? Who is Ellie as a person and what drives her? What is her current relationship with Joel? How does she feel after she witnesses Joel die? Who is Abby? How can she find her? What will she do when she finally does? All of these questions are explored in Ellie’s Ultimate Revenge.
• Beneath the Surface: The Visual FX of The Last of Us (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – The Last of Us invites you behind the scenes with the award-winning teams who bring the show to life. Tour the prosthetic workshop and revisit the concept art that inspired the characters! See the pyro team bathe the infected stunt performers in flames. Go behind the scenes as the production prepares hundreds of background actors in hair and make up for their epic attack on Jackson. Learn how VFX and Costume teams worked together to help bring to life the spore-filled basement beneath Lakehill Hospital. Featuring interviews with cast and crew.
· Growing the World of The Last of Us
· Welcome to Jackson (Set Tour)
· Joel’s Journey to Season 2
· Ellie’s Journey to Season 2
· Pedro and Bella Q&A
· Battle of Jackson, Deconstructed
· Open Book: Isabela Merced & Young Mazino
· Mushroom Taste Test
· Character Featurette – Joel
· Character Featurette – Ellie
· Character Featurette – Abby
· Character Featurette – Dina
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #1
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #2
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #3
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #4
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #5
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #6
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #7
The Last of Us Season 2 | Official Trailer | Max