If this year is anything to judge by, the decrees of “physical media is dying” are nowhere close to the truth. Yes, physical media is in a much different place than it was ten years ago, but we have seen a rise in ardent collectors willing to pay generously for premium presentations. This has led to a neverending onslaught of awe-inspiring 4K UHD Blu-Ray releases and stunning box sets.

With a mixture of exciting new favorites and beloved classics on 4K UHD, Blu-Ray and DVD, it has never been a better time to be a fan of physical media. We know it can be overwhelming trying to find that perfect gift for a loved one, so this year we decided to take the stress out of shopping by providing a helpful list of some of our favorite movies and television shows that dropped in 2024.

We approached this list assuming that everyone has some of the bigger new releases, so no Deadpool & Wolverine or Beetlejuice Beetlejuice here, but instead we focused on highlighting the hidden gems of the year that might have slipped by your radar. Without further ado, we present the 2024 GVN Holiday Gift Guide…

Out Of This World

Marvel & Star Wars Disney+ Originals

For nerds who feel held hostage by streaming services…

Just last year, it was a somewhat bleak time to be a fan of the world’s biggest franchises who also harbored an equal passion for physical media. Disney+ had become the most promising outlet to get unique works from the land of Marvel or Star Wars with a slate of series coming out at a steady pace with seemingly no hope for any of them to make their way to physical media. When you have consumers paying a monthly fee to access the hottest properties, would it seem reasonable to provide them an option for a one-time payment to own them outright? Thankfully, the House of Mouse realized that people who love the convenience of streaming are unlikely to cancel their subscriptions for this reason alone, and there was a world of rabid collectors just waiting for a chance to add these shows to their collections.

Fast-forward to the very week this gift guide debuts, and you have a quartet of series debuting on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray. In the land of Marvel, you have Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld co-starring in Hawkeye: Season 1, and Tom Hiddleston returns for another outing in Loki: Season 2. Things are equally as interesting with Star Wars as you get Pedro Pascal returning in The Mandalorian: Season 3, plus Rosario Dawson finally gets to lead her own series in Ahsoka: Season 1. All four of these releases are provided with stunning SteelBook releases with glorious Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio, along with a nice array of supplemental features such as making-of documentaries, gag reels, featurettes, and more that fans will not want to miss.

These join a previous wave released earlier this year including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor: Season 1, Moon Knight: Season 1, and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: Season 1. No matter what you go with, any of these releases will make the Star Trek fan in your life shed a happy tear on Christmas morning.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of Obi-Wan Kenobi can be found here.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of Andor: Season 1 can be found here.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of The Falcon and Winter Soldier: Season 1 can be found here.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of Moon Knight: Season 1 can be found here.

Bill & Ted’s Most Triumphant Trilogy (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For the uncle stuck in the past…

It has been 35 years since the world was introduced to William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan, portrayed by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, respectively, two metalhead slacker friends who travel through time and beyond while trying to fulfill their destiny to establish a utopian society in the universe with their music. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure finds our heroes in danger of flunking History until the righteous Rufus (George Carlin) arrives in a time-traveling phone booth and they call on the past’s biggest names for help. In Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, the titular time travelers aren’t making history — they are history! When an evil-doer from the future sends their eviler robot twins to assassinate and replace them, the guys wind up face-to-face with the Grim Reaper (William Sadler)! And finally, in Bill & Ted Face The Music, the now middle-aged duo, yet to fulfill their rock and roll destiny, meet a visitor from the future who warns that only their song can save life as we know it! Along the way, they will be helped by their daughters, gnarly historical figures, and music legends.

This new “Triumphant Trilogy” gathers together all three films in the series on 4K UHD Blu-Ray remastered with Dolby Vision and an array of special features including commentary tracks, making-of featurettes, convention panels, and more. If you are a fan of the series, you could not ask for more!

Get more information about the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release here.

Galaxy Quest (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For Star Trek fans with a bit of self-awareness…

The good folks at Paramount have given us the perfect excuse to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved sci-fi comedy classic Galaxy Quest as it arrives for the first time ever on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. The Star Trek entry we actually deserved features an out-of-this-world, all-star cast including Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, and Sam Rockwell. Newly remastered under the supervision of director Dean Parisot, the film is presented in 4K Ultra HD with spectacular Dolby Vision as well as with Dolby Atmos sound in a gorgeous limited edition SteelBook. The new release comes with over 90 minutes of new and legacy bonus content. If this is not enough, you can also seek out the new Blu-Ray release of Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary from ETR Media which delves deep into the history and fandom of the film with tons of great interviews.

Get more information about the Galaxy Quest 4K UHD Blu-Ray release here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary can be found here.

Interstellar: 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition 4K UHD Set

For those who understand Nolan has never made a bad movie…

Paramount is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of director Christopher Nolan’s landmark sci-fi epic Interstellar in grand fashion. This must-own, limited-edition set includes the iconic film on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Disc, as well as a third Blu-ray with more than two hours of new and legacy bonus content that delves into the science of the film, its groundbreaking production, and a brand-new discussion of the film’s impact 10 years later. The set also includes access to a Digital copy of the film, reproductions of five costume patches, five theatrical poster reproductions, and a never-before-seen storyboard sequence from the director’s archives. The film features an extraordinary cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Michael Caine, Timothée Chalamet, and more.

Get more information about the Interstellar 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition 4K UHD release here.

Doomsday (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For busy people who want three movies in one…

From director Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent) comes an action-packed sci-fi thrill ride through the beating heart of hell. The film takes place in the future in Scotland, which has been quarantined because of a deadly virus. When the virus is found in London, political leaders send a team led by Major Eden Sinclair (Rhona Mitra) to Scotland to find a possible cure. Sinclair’s team runs into two types of survivors: marauders and medieval knights. Doomsday is a wild ride that feels like Mad Max, Escape from New York and 28 Days Later were put into a blender. This year, the film finally received the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release we always dreamed of as the Theatrical Cut was given a 4K scan in Dolby Vision. The release also comes with the Unrated Cut on Blu-Ray along with a new commentary track, tons of new interviews, and archival special features. If you want unhinged genre overload, you could not ask for a better option. 

Get more information about the Doomsday 4K UHD Blu-Ray release here.

Life, Animated

Wallace & Gromit on 4K UHD Blu-Ray

For those who want their animation to feel like a cozy cup of tea…

Aardman Animation is one of the most creative studios working in animation today, and every release is like a little gift to the world. This may seem hyperbolic, but there are too few creative forces that shape practical animation in the magnificent way this company does. One of their big breakouts was the introduction of Wallace & Gromit. The series centers on Wallace, a good-natured, eccentric, cheese-loving inventor, and Gromit, his loyal and intelligent anthropomorphic beagle. Fans can now own The Complete Cracking Collection featuring four fantastic specials premiering on 4K UHD. Also included on Blu-ray are the ten beloved short films and the feature-length The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit! This new set includes newly restored masters and restored audio plus a 24-page book, and a colorform set of characters. This is a magical release for any fan of the character.

Get more information about the Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection Collector’s Edition 4K UHD Blu-Ray release here.

Groundbreaking Anime

For those who feel that American animation is too vanilla…

Anime fans have been really thriving this year due to a good mixture of brilliant new works coming to our screen and old gems getting the respect they finally deserve. Some of the most exciting releases of the year have come from Anime Limited including Great Pretender: The Complete Series Deluxe Edition. This character-driven comedic heist series blends the visual marvel of anime with suspenseful and smart narratives. The epic 5-disc Blu-ray collection comes housed in a visually striking slipcase and collects all 23 thrilling episodes, insightful bonus features, 10 stunning art cards, a double-sided poster, and a 192-page art book. The company also released A Place Further Than The Universe: The Complete Series Collector’s Edition featuring a gorgeous slipcase housing all 13 episodes in a 2-disc Blu-Ray set, 2 CDs of the original soundtrack, 4 art cards, a poster, and a 92-page booklet. Finally, you have the release of Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045 featuring all 12 episodes of the first season in a 3-disc Blu-Ray collection including a 100-page artbook, 4 art cards, an 11.7” x 16.5” poster and insightful bonus features

GKIDS always seems to deliver some incredible releases every year. The most prominent would have to be the Oscar-winning Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy & The Heron hitting 4K UHD Blu-Ray. The film is another stunning achievement from one of the most formidable creative minds in cinema. The release comes with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, and an array of special features. The company also has one of the biggest properties in the world with Arcane: League of Legends – Season One on 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring all nine episodes from the first season in Dolby Vision. The release also comes with an entire disc dedicated to bonus features.

You also have the critically acclaimed The First Slam Dunk on Blu-Ray from director Takehiko Inoue. This installment of the long-running series expertly expands on what came before while standing on its own for newcomers to the franchise. Mars Express is a very cool sci-fi outing that conjures up similar feelings as some of our favorite anime films from the genre as you uncover a conspiracy that threatens mankind – and their robot counterparts. The animation is gorgeous and the narrative avoids taking the easy way out in its storytelling.

Get more information about the Great Pretender: The Complete Series Deluxe Edition Blu-Ray release here.

Get more information about the Arcane: League of Legends – Season One 4K UHD Blu-Ray release here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of A Place Further Than The Universe: The Complete Series Collector’s Edition can be found here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045 can be found here.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray of The Boy & The Heron can be found here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Mars Express can be found here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of The First Slam Dunk can be found here.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers: The Complete Franchise

For your friend’s kid who views “tree hugger” as a term of affection…

Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! The beloved educational superhero series created by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle that began with the Captain Planet and the Planeteers animated series in 1990 leading into The New Adventures of Captain Planet animated series has now come together for the first time ever on DVD with all 113 episodes from the iconic franchise. The series features an all-star voiceover cast including Martin Sheen, Meg Ryan, Whoopi Goldberg and LeVar Burton. The Planeteers, five teenagers from different parts of the earth, each receive a ring of elemental power–earth, wind, water, fire or heart–to combat eco-villains everywhere in the world. And when they combine the powers of their rings, a new superhero, Captain Planet, is created, with powers far greater than the sum of the five.

Get more information about the Captain Planet and the Planeteers: The Complete Franchise DVD release here.

The Swan Princess: The Royal Collection

For any young one who wants to feel like royalty…

Celebrate 30 enchanting years of the magical, musical world of The Swan Princess! Audiences can enjoy all 12 amazing animated features, each filled with timeless songs and captivating adventures in one must-own complete DVD collection. This once-in-a-lifetime limited-edition set includes a gorgeous Swan Princess music box— a keepsake for every collector who is eternally young at heart. Includes The Swan Princess, The Swan Princess: Secrets of the Castle, The Swan Princess III: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure, The Swan Princess: Christmas, The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale, The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today!, The Swan Princess: Royally Undercover, The Swan Princess: A Royal Myztery, The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music, The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding, The Swan Princess: A Fairytale is Born, and The Swan Princess: Far Longer than Forever. The discs include fun sing-along special features that will make any young princess at heart very happy.

Get more information about The Swan Princess: The Royal Collection DVD release here.

Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice

For your cousins who cannot agree if it’s wabbit season or duck season…

There is no dispute. The Warner Bros. Cartoons are the funniest animated shorts in all of film history, and its classic cartoon stars – Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester, Porky Pig, The Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, to name but a few – are the most popular of all time. There has been some inconsistency when it comes to their home video release, but the past few years Warner Archive has stepped in to establish a line intended to signify the utmost care is being put towards preserving these cinematic gems. The Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice series is here to make sure audiences are getting uncut cartoons in the best possible A/V quality, many of which have never been released on home video before. There are four volumes to date, and each one is filled with titles that have been most requested by collectors and connoisseurs. All these sets are available to purchase individually or as one set that will get you up to date on these terrific releases. This is a set destined to please audiences of all ages.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 1 can be found here.

Get more information about Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 2 on Blu-Ray here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 3 can be found here.

Get more information about Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Volume 4 on Blu-Ray here.

The Golden Age of Television

The West Wing: The Complete Series (Blu-Ray)

For those who are still catatonic from the election results…

Widely considered one of the best series of all time, The West Wing remains a landmark achievement in television, earning 26 Emmys, including four for Outstanding Drama Series. With its sharp writing and memorable ensemble cast, the show continues to inspire audiences with its intimate look at the triumphs, sacrifices and inner politics of the White House. Created by Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing stars Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen. For the first time ever on Blu-ray, in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of the critically acclaimed series, get ready to binge all 156 episodes from NBC/WBTV’s Emmy Award-winning original series, along with hours of special features including over 20 commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, unaired scenes, gag reels and more. In a year when real-life politics may be causing you anxiety, it is comforting to be transported to a world where you can still believe in the system.

Get more information about The West Wing: The Complete Series on Blu-Ray here.

Iconic Sitcoms To Watch Again and Again

For those who are in need of a belly laugh…

We could all use a good laugh right now, and Warner Bros. has ensured you are prepared for a full year of binging. The biggest news of the year was the 4K UHD Blu-Ray announcement of Friends: The Complete Series. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of one of television’s most watched sitcoms, fans can purchase this ultimate collector’s set that includes over 110 hours of content – including all 236 original broadcast episodes from 10 seasons of hilarity released for the first time in 4K Ultra HD, plus over 20 hours of extra features including all-new bonus content. The release comes with a Dolby Vision presentation with DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio. The series follows the lives and loves of a close-knit group of friends living in New York City: siblings Ross (David Schwimmer) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), along with friends Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).

If you want something with a bit more edge, HBO has you covered with Veep: The Complete Series on Blu-Ray. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the Vice President of the United States in this hilarious comedy series. Each episode follows her whirlwind day-to-day existence as she puts out political fires, juggles public and private demands and defends the interests of the chief executive–with whom she shares a uniquely dysfunctional relationship. Get ready to binge on all 65 episodes from HBO’s Emmy award-winning original series, along with all the previously released special features.

Get more information about Friends: The Complete Series on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about Veep: The Complete Series on Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series on DVD here.

Las Vegas: The Complete Series (Blu-Ray)

For your grandma who always bets on black…

What happens in Vegas is now better than ever. Las Vegas: The Complete Series is packed with audio commentary, gag reels, and additional bonus. Join the action-packed escapades at the Montecito Hotel and Casino with an elite Las Vegas surveillance team, led by commanding Big Ed Deline (James Caan) and his slick, good-looking righthand man, Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel). They’re out to catch card-counting cheaters, costly streaks of random luck and the schemes of rival casinos. The series also stars Nikki Cox, James Lesure, Vanessa Marcil, Molly Sims, Marsha Thomason, and eventually Tom Selleck. Enjoy all 106 episodes of Las Vegas with special guest stars Sylvester Stallone, Alec Baldwin, Jill Hennessy, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Rodman and more. This set includes 22 discs of entertainment in glorious high definition from five seasons of unbridled insanity.

Get more information about Las Vegas: The Complete Series on Blu-Ray here.

The King Of Queens: The Complete Series (Blu-Ray)

For those who have a startling amount of self-confidence…

While there was a time when it was easy to poke fun at CBS for their more conventional programming, there was always a gem or two on the schedule that kept even the most jaded viewer tuning in. From 1998 to 2007, The King of Queens aired for nine seasons filled with countless moments to make you laugh no matter how many times you have seen them. Kevin James stars as Doug Heffernan, a lovable regular guy with an adoring wife, Carrie (Leah Remini), and a frustrating father-in-law (Jerry Stiller) under his roof. Packed with a crazy cast of characters, hilarious situations and plenty of great guest stars including Lou Ferrigno, Ricki Lake, Rachel Dratch, Bryan Cranston, and Ray Romano, this is one show that brings the goods. All 207 episodes are available in high definition on Blu-Ray with special features including commentary tracks and a series retrospective.

Get more information about The King of Queens: The Complete Series on Blu-Ray here.

Seinfeld on 4K UHD & Blu-Ray

For those who want to open a gift about nothing…

All of the catchphrases, all of the memorable characters, all of the misunderstandings, all of the unforgettable hilarity of one of the best television shows of all time, just in time for Festivus and other holiday occasions. Long-awaited by fans, Seinfeld: The Complete Series is finally making the leap from standard definition discs following an extensive and comprehensive 4K upgrade for the series, and is perfectly timed for the series’ 35th anniversary, as well as to conclude the 100th anniversary of Columbia Pictures. Packed with all nine seasons of the historically acclaimed series plus hours of insightful special features—from deleted scenes to inside looks to cast & crew commentaries and more—Seinfeld is presented in two separate editions: a Blu-ray edition featuring a high definition presentation of the series in a 1.78 format, and a limited edition 4K Ultra HD edition featuring the entire series presented in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range at its original 1.33 aspect ratio. It is real, and it is spectacular.

Get more information about Seinfeld: The Complete Series on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (Blu-Ray)

For those who need a gift that needs no explaining…

In October 1951, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz debuted the first episode of what was to become one of the best-loved and most-watched TV shows of all time. I Love Lucy also starred Vivian Vance and William Frawley. Overflowing with notable guest stars and escapades that never lose their entertainment value, it’s no wonder why everyone still loves Lucy. I Love Lucy: The Complete Series arrives on Blu-Ray for the first time with all the classic episodes from the six seasons of “I Love Lucy” (1951-1957) plus the iconic remastered “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour “(1957-1960), and a newly colorized and never-before-released “Lucy and the Loving Cup” episode. This set is a major win for fans of Lucy.

Get more information about I Love Lucy: The Complete Series on Blu-Ray here.

This Is A Time For Action

Project A Collection (4K UHD & Blu-Ray)

For those who know that Jackie Chan’s career did not start with Rush Hour…

The Project A Collection offers a thrilling pair of films that rank among the best we have seen from Jackie Chan. We know the legendary performer is one of the most exciting figures to grace the screen, but his efforts behind the camera should not be underestimated as these films execute some truly stunning set pieces with lively camera work to capture every hit. These two films have a bit of a different energy with the first film feeling a bit more unhinged in a good way and the sequel conforming to a more traditional narrative structure. Each has its strengths, and we are happy to have both in amazing quality. 88 Films has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray set with multiple cuts of each movie, a fantastic new A/V presentation and a slew of special features that are truly fun to dig into. If you are a Jackie Chan fan, do not pass this one up.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of the Project A Collection can be found here.

Demolition Man Collector’s Edition (4K UHD & Blu-Ray)

For those faithful soldiers in the fast food wars…

Who doesn’t love seeing two stars squaring off? Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes go head-to-head in this classic sci-fi/action blockbuster from Joel Silver, the producer of Die Hard and The Matrix. In 2032, arch criminal Simon Phoenix (Snipes) awakens from a 35-year deep freeze in CryoPrison to find a world where crime is almost non-existent – a serene utopia ripe for the taking. With the police no longer equipped to deal with his 90s-style brutality, they revive ‘Demolition Man’ Sgt. John Spartan (Stallone), the no-holds-barred police officer unjustly sentenced to CryoPrison who originally took Phoenix down. Old-school cop against old-school criminal, settling their scores on the streets of San Angeles? The future won’t know what’s hit it. With a script co-written by Daniel Waters (Heathers, Batman Returns) and a supporting cast that includes Denis Leary, Benjamin Bratt, and Sandra Bullock in her breakout role, Demolition Man is an awesome mix of action and humor. The new 4K UHD Blu-Ray is derived from a 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative in Dolby Vision with a new Dolby Atmos track, commentary tracks, interviews, visual essays, and more.

Get more information about Demolition Man on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray here.

Kickboxer (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For those who did not start the fight, but are surely going to end it…

Revenge is a dangerous motive…but also a powerful one. Accompanied by his brother Kurt, American kickboxing champion Eric Sloane arrives in Thailand to defeat the Eastern warriors at their own sport. His opponent: ruthless fighter and Thai champion Tong Po. Tong not only defeats Eric, he paralyzes him for life. Crazed with anger, Kurt vows revenge. After a crash course in the ancient techniques of kickboxing from Thai master Xian Chow, Kurt challenges Tong. Their battle to the finish, born of lust, power, and revenge, will leave only one man standing. The Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle is getting the upgrade it deserves with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray derived from a 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision and new special features, including an international version of the film that fans will not want to miss.

Get more information about Kickboxer on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Action-Packed Kino Studio Classics Favorites

For your dad who says “They don’t make them like they used to”… 

Kino Lorber Studio Classics has had a banner year when it comes to both their incredible 4K UHD and Blu-Ray output. Things have been especially fruitful on the action and crime-film front with an avalanche of releases from the Cannon Films catalog and beyond. Just in the past few weeks, the company has honored late director William Friedkin with a trio of his films hitting 4K UHD Blu-ray. First up we have The Hunted starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio del Toro along with Rules of Engagement with Tommy Lee Jones once again starring this time with Samuel L. Jackson. There is also Bug starring Ashley Judd, but that is more along the psychological thriller route. All three have been restored from a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision and a host of new and archival special features.

Also newly out on Blu-Ray is the ’70s Bondsploitation flick No. 1 of the Secret Service from the Kino Cult line featuring an audio commentary, a video essay, and more. You also have the revenge thriller Rolling Vengeance on Blu-Ray with a newly authored disc and a slipcover. Similarly on the cheesy side of the spectrum is Michael Dudikoff’s cat-and-mouse thriller Avenging Force newly released with a slipcover, an interview with the star, a commentary track, and more.

Throughout the year, the label has offered 4K UHD releases of the Arnold Schwarzenegger family action film Kindergarten Cop, the Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford sci-fi western Cowboys & Aliens, the Christmas airplane thriller Turbulence, the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic Sudden Death, the Robert Redford prison action film The Last Castle, and tons more that we don’t have the space to fit in here.

Check out reviews of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray releases for The Eiger Sanction, The Last Castle, and Kindergarten Cop.

Check out reviews of the Blu-Ray releases for Rent-A-Cop, The Long Riders, Death Rides A Horse, and A Fistful of Dynamite.

Shawscope: Volume 3

For those who get nostalgic for bad cable television lip-syncing…

The amount of Shaw Brothers entertainment that has popped up over the last few on Blu-Ray is frankly staggering after the company was so inconsistent when it came to American physical media back in the day. Arrow Video has especially jumped in with both feet when it comes to the Hong Kong production company by releasing the third installment of their Shawscope series. Before Hong Kong’s mightiest film studio mastered the art of the kung fu film, Shaw Brothers hit box office gold with a very different kind of martial arts cinema, one that channelled the blood-soaked widescreen violence of Japanese samurai epics and Italian spaghetti westerns into a uniquely Chinese form: the wuxia pain. This latest volume arrives with 14 hard-hitting classics including the One-Armed Swordsman trilogy. All fourteen films have been restored, including thirteen new 2K restorations by Arrow Films from the original negatives, and a new 4K restoration of One-Armed Swordsman by Celestial Pictures, and the set is loaded with special features that will make any fan of the genre swoon with joy. What more could you want to find under the Christmas tree?

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Shawscope: Volume 1 can be found here.

Get more information about Shawscope: Volume 3 on Blu-Ray here.

Rolling Thunder (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For those ready to serve up cold dish of revenge…

It has been a terrific year for the works of Paul Schrader on physical media. American Gigolo finally received a proper restoration with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray from Arrow Video. The folks at Cinematographe released the underrated religious satire Touch on Blu-Ray. And Shout! Studios finally released the Oscar-nominated Nick Nolte drama Affliction on Blu-Ray. That’s not to mention his screenplay work, such as the 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut of his Martin Scorsese drama Bringing Out The Dead. Yet, there is one very cool effort that has not gotten the reception it probably deserves. Shout! Studios once again came to the rescue with the 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut of Rolling Thunder. Schrader provided the screenplay for this psychological thriller directed by John Flynn.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of American Gigolo can be found here.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of Bringing Out The Dead can be found here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Touch can be found here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Affliction can be found here.

Get more information about Rolling Thunder on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

The Linguini Incident (Blu-Ray)

For the David Bowie fans who only THINKS they have everything… 

The Linguini Incident is a hidden gem that seamlessly blends a clever caper with a heartfelt love story filled with witty exchanges. David Bowie and Rosanna Arquette bounce off of one another with great exuberance, but the duo are far from master criminals and they soon learn that in robberies, as in love, things never go as planned. This world is also populated with colorful characters that make the story a bit more exciting. The film has a screwball energy that grabs you from the beginning and rarely lets go. MVD Entertainment has provided a Blu-Ray featuring a new Director’s Cut of the film, a lovely A/V presentation from a brand new 4K transfer from film interpositive, and a bounty of special features. This one is begging to be rediscovered.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of The Linguini Incident can be found here.

Death Becomes Her (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For your cousin who will never stop shopping at Forever 21…

Three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, Oscar winner Goldie Hawn and Golden Globe winner Bruce Willis are deathly funny in Robert Zemeckis’ outrageously entertaining comedy about greed, vanity, sex, immortality, life … and death. Two narcissistic archrivals (Streep and Hawn) discover the ultimate accessory – a potion that will keep them forever young – when they meet a mysterious enchantress (Isabella Rossellini, Blue Velvet ) with deep ties to the Hollywood elite. But they get more than they bargain for when their newfound beauty only intensifies their vanity – and rivalry – in this fast-paced and very funny dark comedy. This 4K UHD Blu-Ray release gives the beloved film a 4K UHD upgrade from the Original 35mm Camera Negative in Dolby Vision and some great special features.

Get more information about Death Becomes Her on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Little Darlings (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For your mom who still reminisces about summer camp…

Little Darlings is a true gem of a film that has been somewhat overlooked due to its scarcity over the years. Thankfully, this is now being rectified so audiences can experience the delicate balance of hilarious antics and emotional honesty. Very few films get this formula right, but this one truly hits the mark with consistent laughs and a conclusion that will have a lump forming in your throat. The performances from the entire ensemble are very strong which allows these girls to feel like a believable friend group. This is one of the best coming-of-age films to emerge from this period. Cinématographe knocked it out of the park with their first release with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a truly spectacular A/V presentation and a robust assortment of special features. If you have been longing for this film like we have, this release is a godsend.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of Little Darlings can be found here.

The Whitest Kids U’ Know: The Complete Series

For your college friend who kept you up late watching YouTube videos…

Get more information about The Whitest Kids U’ Know: The Complete Series on DVD here.

’80s Excess Newly Rediscovered

For the person in your gym still rocking a leotard with BOLD color choices… \

We know what you are thinking: why are these films in the comedy section of the guide? It is true, these films were not produced to be a gut-busting affair, but they contain so much cheesy ’80s goodness that it is hard not to have some good-natured chuckles when delighting in every single moment. Fun City Editions rescued to gems that have not been readily available in years. Heavenly Bodies is an absolute blast that will completely satisfy your desire for cheesy ‘80s goodness if you can get on its wavelength. You have beautiful performers dance-exercising their way into your heart with every hip gyration feeling like a matter of life and death. This has no real basis in reality, and we would have it no other way. Paradise is best known for being a movie notoriously difficult to seek out for serious Phoebe Cates fans. You have the beguiling Cates lighting up the screen in this story of two teenagers who come of age in the isolation of a lush desert oasis. Plus, you have monkey sidekicks to liven things up! Each film has been given a loving restoration and new special features.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Heavenly Bodies can be found here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Paradise can be found here.

Shaun Of The Dead: 20th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For your estranged uncle who boasts about his plan to survive a zombie apocalypse… 

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has released the beloved zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead newly remastered on 4K UHD Blu-Ray in celebration of its 20th anniversary. The film boasts a fan-favorite cast starring Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Star Trek), Nick Frost (The World’s End, Paul), Kate Ashfield (Beyond Borders), Lucy Davis (Wonder Woman, “The Office”), and more. The studios partnered with director Edgar Wright to remaster the movie in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision and immersive Dolby Atmos sound. Fans can own the remastered version on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and access a new, never-before-seen bonus piece featuring Edgar Wright along with stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The release also features an array of archival features including four audio commentary tracks, deleted scenes, outtakes, and more. This is a movie that has gained a passionate following over the past two decades, and any fan will want to own it in the best presentation possible.

Get more information about Shaun Of The Dead: 20th Anniversary Edition on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

So Dramatic

Boundary-Pushing Hong Kong Cinema From Eureka

For every flavor of Hong Kong cinema fanatic…

Eureka Entertainment has been a godsend for physical media enthusiasts overseas for years, but this year they made a major move by beginning to release titles in the United States. The care they take with their releases has been legendary, yet now American audiences can experience it firsthand without importing. There has been a particular focus on output from Hong Kong, and the range of gems they have unearthed from this area of the world is astounding. The label is closing out the year with one of their most impressive releases to date with Horrible History: Four Historical Epics By Chang Cheh. Often described as the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema,” Chang Cheh made nearly a hundred films during a long and storied career spent at the Shaw Brothers Studio, where he directed such landmark films as The One-Armed Swordsman, Five Deadly Venoms and The Heroic Ones. Many of his films drew upon Chinese history for inspiration – and many of them were based on real people and events. Eureka Classics presents four of his best historical epics in this limited-edition set: Marco Polo, The Pirate, Boxer Rebellion and Four Riders. These films are all fascinating examples of the rewriting of history common in popular genre cinema, directed with aplomb by a veteran of Shaw Brothers.

The label also recently released Super Spies & Secret Lies on Blu-Ray to great personal fanfare. Following the enormous international success of Dr No and From Russia with Love, Bondmania swept the globe and initiated a cycle of Bondsploitation movies. Studios all over the world sought to capitalise on James Bond and the concept of the super-spy – including Hong Kong’s venerable Shaw Brothers, who began producing tales of intrigue, espionage, and grand theft in the mid-1960s. Eureka Classics presents three of their best in this special-edition set: The Golden Buddha, Angel with the Iron Fists and The Singing Thief.

Finally, we have the love letter to the wuxia genre The Sword on Blu-Ray. Best known as a key contributor to the Hong Kong New Wave as the director of My Heart is That Eternal Rose and the editor of Wong Kar-wai’s Days of Being Wild and Ashes of Time, Patrick Tam began his filmmaking career with this film starring Adam Cheng (Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain). Believing that he is in possession of a cursed blade, the legendary swordsman Hua Qian Shu (Tien Feng, King Boxer) has retreated from the martial arts world to live in peaceful seclusion. However, his retirement has done nothing to dampen his reputation; a young warrior, Li Mak-jan (Cheng), wishes to challenge the master in order to test his own sword-fighting skill. This release comes from a brand new 2K restoration.

Get more information about Horrible History: Four Historical Epics By Chang Cheh on Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about Super Spies & Secret Lies and The Sword on Blu-Ray here.

The Addiction (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For the artsy goth in your life…

The mid-nineties were a fertile period for the vampire movie. Big-name stars such as Tom Cruise and Eddie Murphy flocked to genre, as did high-caliber filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, veterans Wes Craven and John Landis, independents Michael Almereyda and Jeffrey Arsenault, and up-and-comers Quentin Tarantino and Guillermo del Toro. Amid the fangs and crucifixes, Abel Ferrara reunited with his King of New York star Christopher Walken for The Addiction, a distinctly personal take on creatures of the night. Philosophy student Kathleen (Lili Taylor, The Conjuring) is dragged into an alleyway on her way home from class by Casanova (Annabella Sciorra, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle) and bitten on the neck. She quickly falls ill but realizes this isn’t any ordinary disease when she develops an aversion to daylight and a thirst for human blood… Having made a big-budget foray into science fiction two years earlier with Body Snatchers, Ferrara’s approach to the vampire movie is in a lower key. Shot on the streets of New York, like so many of his major works – including The Driller Killer, Ms. 45 and Bad Lieutenant – and beautifully filmed in black and white, The Addiction sees the filmmaker on his own terms and at his very best: raw, shocking, intense, intelligent, masterful. This new release is derived from a new 4K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films and includes a wealth of special features.

Get more information about The Addiction on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Getting Dramatic with Kino Studio Classics

For those looking for uncovered gems and polished-up favorites…

As previously mentioned, Kino Lorber Studio Classics has consistently delivered titles month after month that made our jaws drop and our hearts flutter. Especially when considering their dramatic offerings, it has been a banner year for the label. One long-awaited title was the 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut of Brokeback Mountain starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film arrives on the format with a 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative in Dolby Vision with a nice array of new and archival special features. Another major title for the format was Abel Ferrara’s cold-hearted detective movie Bad Lieutenant starring Harvey Keitel in one of the most disturbing roles of his career. The new uncut release comes from a 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative in Dolby Vision with an audio commentary track, new interviews, and more.

Throughout the year, the label has resurrected some under-the-radar gems on Blu-Ray including the Owen Wilson serial killer drama The Minus Man; the searing drama The Claim starring Wes Bentley, Milla Jovovich, Nastassja Kinski, and Sarah Polley; the Laura Dern Oscar-nominated drama Rambling Rose; the touching Sidney Lumet drama Garbo Talks; and so many more waiting to be discovered.

Check out our reviews for The Lion In Winter, The Manchurian Candidate (2004), Nostalghia, The Minus Man, Bad Lieutenant, and Brokeback Mountain.

The Block Island Sound (4K UHD & Blu-Ray)

For your brother in-law who could use a break from the usual conspiracy theories… 

Strange things are happening on the remote Block Island Sound. Harry (Chris Sheffield, The Maze Runner) notices that his father Tom (Neville Archambault, Solomon Grundy) is starting to act very differently, becoming forgetful and angry, and taking his fishing boat out in the middle of the night. It’s also alarming that birds and fish have been dying around the island. Harry’s marine biologist sister Audry (Michaela McManus, Into the Grizzly Maze, TV’s The Orville) arrives on the island to investigate the wildlife deaths for the Environmental Protection Agency. She brings along her daughter to enjoy island life with her family. Audry’s research exposes chilling truths about the strange occurrences in the area and her family. Are the unimaginable calamities being caused by man’s interference, nature running amok, or something beyond? This Netflix original has been rescued for a physical media release by Synapse Films on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray. The special features include audio commentary with directors Kevin McManus and Matthew McManus, behind-the-scenes featurettes about the production, and more. If you are looking for an eerie gift, look no further.

Get more information about The Block Island Sound on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Taboo-Busting with Altered Innocence

For your fearless friend who makes you feel cooler by association… 

One label that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves is Altered Innocence, a label dedicated to releasing LGBTQ & coming-of-age films with an artistic edge. They released numerous gems this year, but one of our favorites was Suicide Room, a Polish drama thriller written and directed by Jan Komasa, best known for directing Warsaw 44 & Corpus Christi. The film stars Jakub Gierszał as a popular high school student whose life quickly deteriorates into ostracisation and depression. The film was a favorite of emo cinema in the 2010s, and it has finally made its Blu-Ray debut domestically.

The label also made cinephiles extremely happy with Ozon’s Transgressive Triple. This set brings together three films that show signs of what a titan François Ozon would be throughout the next couple of decades. Kink, murder, incest, and cannibalism. These are just a few of Ozon’s favorite things in his early features. Each film is thumbing its nose at society in a different way, but there is no doubt they are from the same fascinating mind behind the camera. These three films are a bit more extreme than some of his subsequent work, but we honestly love the mode he is working in here. If you don’t mind breaking some taboos, this is a rewarding watch for cinephiles. 

Get more information about Suicide Room on Blu-Ray here.

A review of the Blu-Ray release of Ozon’s Transgressive Triple can be found here.

The Dead Don’t Hurt

For those who need convincing that the modern western is not dead…

Powerful, profound, and personal, The Dead Don’t Hurt artfully blends the action, grit, and thrills of the American West with the unforgettable tale of two kindred spirits forging a life together. Three-time Academy Award-nominee Viggo Mortensen co-stars in his second directorial feature with Vicky Krieps (Old), Solly McLeod (House Of The Dragon), Garret Dillahunt (No Country For Old Men),and Danny Huston (Yellowstone). In 1860s San Francisco, fiercely independent Vivienne Le Coudy (Krieps) finds herself drawn to Danish immigrant Holger Olsen (Mortensen) and accompanies him to his quiet Nevada homestead. But as the imminent Civil War beckons Holger to fight, Vivienne is left to fend for herself … and when Holger returns, he discovers they have new enemies in a corrupt, cutthroat businessman (Dillahunt), his unhinged, violent son (McLeod), and a deceptively friendly Mayor (Huston) who could unravel their lives completely. The Blu-Ray release comes with a conversation between Jane Campion and Viggo Mortensen, deleted scenes, and more.

Get more information about The Dead Don’t Hurt on Blu-Ray here.

Sleep With A Light On

Hush (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For your significant other who you are leaving alone for the weekend… 

Debuting for the first time on physical media, Hush, from director Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game), creates a masterful feeling of foreboding and suspense, and features a stellar cast including Kate Siegel (The Fall Of The House Of Usher), John Gallagher, Jr. (10 Cloverfield Lane), Samantha Sloyan (Midnight Mass), and Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica). In the film, a deaf writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window. Also debuting for the first time is a newly created B&W version of the film dubbed the “Shush Cut” featuring a new audio mix that will send you even deeper into the horrors of Hush. This mix removes nearly all of the score, providing a different effect that is just as terrifying as the original. This highly anticipated Collector’s Edition includes a newly restored 4K version of the film, supervised and approved by Director Mike Flanagan. The release offers extensive bonus content, including new audio commentaries and interviews with the filmmakers and cast, new feature-length picture-in-picture video commentary with Flanagan and the cast, and much more. This is truly a dream come true for fans of the film.

Get more information about Hush on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For your friend who is on the naughty list…

Scream Factory is bringing the fan-favorite holiday horror film Silent Night, Deadly Night to 4K UHD Blu-Ray in a new Collector’s Edition just in time for your seasonal viewing to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Directed by Charles E. Sellier Jr. and starring Lilyan Chauvin and Robert Brian Wilson, this terrifying film is showcased with a new 4K Scan from the Original Camera Negative, as well as a stuffed stocking’s worth of new bonus features including interviews with select filmmakers. 40 years ago, community leaders tried to stop its release. The P.T.A. fought to ban it. But no one can keep an axe-wielding Santa from coming to town. Silent Night, Deadly Night is the heartwarming holiday story of little Billy Chapman, who was traumatized by his parents’ Christmas Eve murder, then brutalized by sadistic orphanage nuns. But when grown-up Billy dons a Santa suit and goes on a yuletide rampage to “punish the naughty,” no one can stop him … not even your angry city council!

Get more information about Silent Night, Deadly Night on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Golden Harvest at Shout! Studios

For those who feel Hollywood is too bland…

The rise in Asian cinema on physical media has been something to witness over the past few years, especially when labels go beyond martial arts fare. Enter the first two sets in what promises to be a rewarding line from Shout! Studios. In Golden Harvest Vol. 1: Supernatural Shockers, the label provides some of the most outrageous offerings in the history of Hong Kong Cinema. Supernatural Shockers brings you six of the steamiest, most outrageous films you’ve ever seen (including several infamous “Category III” – adults only – classics)! From the unearthly appearance of ghosts and vampires to the undeniable screen presence of Amy Yip, these sublimely sexy and spirited films will take your breath away.

In Golden Harvest Vol. 2: Shining Stars, some of the biggest names in Hong Kong martial arts and action scenes collide. Featuring eight classics spanning from the seventies to the nineties, this collection features punches and performances from Brandon Lee, Jimmy Wang Yu, Angela Mao, Jet Li, Sammo Hung, and the legendary Chuck Norris. Both of these sets have been carefully curated and given an avalanche of special features to excite any fan of the weird and wild.

Get more information about Golden Harvest Vol. 1: Supernatural Shockers on Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about Golden Harvest Vol. 2: Shining Stars on Blu-Ray here.

Stir Of Echoes (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For your sibling who always wants to break out the ouija board…

You will not need six degrees to bring home the Bacon this Christmas. Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon) is a blue-collar worker, a family man, the most ordinary guy in the world…who is about to be plunged into a shattering encounter with another world. And it doesn’t matter that Tom doesn’t believe in the supernatural. Because something supernatural has started to believe in Tom. After he is hypnotized at a neighborhood party, Tom changes. He sees things he can’t explain and hears voices he can’t ignore. As the horrific visions intensify, Tom realizes they are pieces of a puzzle, echoes of a crime calling out to be solved. But when his otherworldly nightmares begin coming true, Tom wants out. He desperately tries to rid himself of his eerie, unwanted powers – only to be seized by an irresistible compulsion to dig deeper and deeper into the mystery that is consuming his life. When at last he unearths the truth, it will draw him into the long-buried secret of a ghastly crime, a vengeful spirit… and the lethal price of laying that spirit to rest. The David Koepp vehicle is getting the upgrade it deserves with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray derived from a 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, and new special features that fans will not want to miss.

Get more information about Stir Of Echoes on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

’80s Horror On 4K UHD

For those who find nothing more terrifying than the Reagan era…

There is something about ’80s horror that is difficult to top. Scream Factory is particularly amazing at exploring this decade and releasing titles we have been clamoring for on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. For instance, two years ago we received the gift of the classic Poltergeist on 4K UHD Blu-Ray from Warner Bros., and since that time we have been eagerly anticipating the chance to continue the series on the format. At last, Poltergeist II has arrived on 4K UHD Blu-Ray from a 4K restoration from the Original Camera Negative in Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio. In this thrilling follow-up, the Freeling family (JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke, and Oliver Robins) settles into a new home following the annihilation of their former residence by terrifying visitors from the netherworld. But the spirits of the dead are still hell-bent on luring the family to “the other side.”

We also got the first film in a franchise as the classic thriller The Stepfather debuted on 4K UHD Blu-Ray from a new restoration in Dolby Vision. Jerry Blake (Terry O’Quinn, The Rocketeer, Lost) is a man obsessed with having the perfect American Dream life – including the house with the white picket fence in the suburbs complete with an adoring wife and loving children. He believes he’s found it when he marries Susan (Shelley Hack, Troll, Charlie’s Angels) and becomes the stepfather to Susan’s 16-year-old daughter, Stephanie (Jill Schoelen, Popcorn, The Phantom Of The Opera). But Stephanie gets an uneasy feeling when she is around Jerry with his Father Knows Best attitude – she can see that there is a darker side behind his cheerful exterior.  The 4L UHD is packed with special features including four commentary tracks, a retrospective, and more.

Get more information about Poltergeist II on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about The Stepfather on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Adapt Or Die

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

For the person in your life who could use an attitude adjustment… 

This joyous, heart-tickling holiday event based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved book and featuring the voice of Boris Karloff has delighted viewers of all ages since its 1966 debut. The fun begins when the grumpy, grouchy, Yule-hating Grinch plots to ruin the Who’s Christmas. Can he steal their holiday spirit by stealing their holiday treats? Or does Christmas…perhaps…mean a little bit more? Animated by cartoon legend Chuck Jones, it’s an award-winning Who-roast-beast-feast of a holiday classic. This new release provides the classic special on 4K UHD Blu-Ray with HDR, expansive supplements, and additional specials The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat and Halloween is Grinch Night. This one is a must for any holiday season, and being able to see it in the best quality possible makes our hearts swell ten sizes too big.

Get more information about Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Paper Moon (4K UHD & Blu-Ray)

For your cousin who is an amateur grifter… 

Maverick director Peter Bogdanovich affectionately recreates the world of the 1930s Dust Bowl in this beloved, briskly entertaining chronicle of one of cinema’s unlikeliest crime sprees. Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal (who became the youngest-ever Oscar winner for her spark-plug performance) play off each other with almost musical agility as a Bible-hawking con man and the precocious, recently orphaned tomboy who falls into his care—and soon rivals her newfound father figure’s skill as a swindler. Paper Moon is a major highlight in the career of legendary filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich with this assured tale of connection, redemption, and fear of the unknown. The narrative is very sweet yet not saccharine in its execution. You come to love these characters and all of their faults, the product of an unbelievably crafted script. This can proudly be held up as one of the great films of the ‘70s. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers a 5-star A/V presentation and some top-notch special features.

A review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of Paper Moon can be found here.

Toxic Crusaders: The Series

For those who want to spice up family screen time… 

The early ‘90s was an interesting time for children’s television when R-rated films found themselves turned into animated television shows aimed at kids. During this fascinating time, children across the nation embraced the first superhero from New Jersey. Toxic Crusaders adapted The Toxic Avenger into a Saturday morning delight that went perfectly with a balanced breakfast. Elements of The Toxic Avenger had to be toned down, including giving the lead character the title of the Toxic Crusader since “Avenger” was too violent of a word for little ears. The little ones knew him as the friendly “Toxie.” The origin story was the same:  Melvin was still a nerdy kid working the mop cleaning up a gym in Tromaville, New Jersey, when cruel bullies caused him to fall into an open barrel of toxic waste. The illegally dumped chemicals transformed Melvin into Toxie, a being with super strength and a powerful mop. Troma Entertainment has provided Toxic Crusaders: The Series on Blu-Ray  complete with TROMAtic digital restoration and remastering.

Get more information about Toxic Crusaders: The Series on Blu-Ray here.

Horror Remakes Head To 4K UHD

For those who are not afraid of second chances… 

Remakes, especially those in the horror genre, are often relegated to a lesser tier of quality, sometimes unfairly so. While we always advocate watching the original version of any property before exploring new takes on the material, we have found some engaging examples of remakes that stand proudly alongside the original source by offering captivating entryways into the material. Scream Factory knocked out a pair of heavy hitters in this space on 4K UHD Blu-Ray this year; Ryan Reynolds fans who wanted more of him after devouring Deadpool & Wolverine could revisit The Amityville Horror from a 4K Scan from the Original DI Film Negative in Dolby Vision. Reynolds, Melissa George (Alias), Philip Baker Hall (Magnolia), and Chloë Grace Moretz (Suspiria) enter a house with a history they cannot escape in the pulse-pounding 2005 version of the classic The Amityville Horror. In November 1974, a family of six was brutally murdered in this home. A year later, an unsuspecting young couple, George and Kathy Lutz, move their family in — only to find that a murderous presence still haunts the house.

Master of horror and suspense John Carpenter brings you a chilling take on the terrifying classic Village of the Damned. While it is hard to top the original, we would never count out a master craftsmen like Carpenter to make a valiant attempt. Something is terribly wrong in the tiny village of Midwich. After an unseen force invades the quiet town, ten women mysteriously find themselves pregnant. Local physician Dr. Alan Chaffee (Christopher Reeve) and government scientist Dr. Susan Verner (Kirstie Alley) join forces when the women simultaneously give birth … and the reign of supernatural terror begins. This latest release comes from a new 4K transfer from the 35mm Original Camera Negative in Dolby Vision. It also comes with a new commentary track, new interviews, and archival special features. In terms of horror remakes, these rank quite favorably.

Get more information about The Amityville Horror on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about Village of the Damned on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

House of the Dragon: Season 2

For your aunt who still calls herself “The Mother of Dragons”…

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” House of the Dragon, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen. Following King Aegon II’s coronation and the death of Queen Rhaenyra’s son, House Targaryen is divided in two. In King’s Landing, Aegon II rules from the Iron Throne, supported by Alicent and the Green Council, under the protection of the largest dragon in Westeros. From exile on Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra and her Black Council consider their next move. Civil war looms as both sides seek support from the great houses of Westeros, ultimately amassing armies — and dragons. This second season sets provides all eight episodes on 4K UHD Blu-Ray in Dolby Vision with an array of supplements that will have you soaring even higher.

Get more information about House of the Dragon: Season 2 on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

RoboCop on 4K UHD

For those with a healthy distrust of authority…

When the classic Paul Verhoeven RoboCop was released on 4K UHD Blu-Ray by Arrow Video in 2022, it was one of our standout releases of the year. Of course, being an ardent collector means always looking forward to the next thing, and the thing we started dreaming of the moment we had that set in our hands was contining the series on 4K UHD – even if few things can live up to the quality of the original film. This year, Scream Factory came through for fans with two more pieces of the puzzle. Peter Weller (The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension) returns as the tough-as-steel police officer once known as Alex Murphy in the high-octane sci-fi/action thriller sequel RoboCop 2! When Detroit’s descent into chaos is further compounded by a police department strike and a new designer drug called “Nuke,” only RoboCop (Weller) can stop the mayhem. But in his way are a sinister corporation and a bigger and tougher cyborg with a deadly directive: take RoboCop off the streets … permanently. The new release comes from a 4K scan from the Original Camera Negative in Dolby Vision and load of archival special features.

The label also jumped ahead a couple of decades to the latest installment in the franchise. Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad), Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) star in the electrifying 2014 reimagining of the action/sci-fi classic, RoboCop. In the year 2028, conglomerate OmniCorp uses robotic technology to transform critically injured police officer Alex Murphy (Kinnaman) into the ultimate crime fighter … a perfect, lethal melding of man and machine. Back on the streets, Murphy is hardwired for law enforcement, but the mind and memories of the human inside him long to take control … and the results could be catastrophic. This release comes to 4K UHD Blu-Ray with Dolby Vision and an array of previously-released supplements. For those who are looking to fill our their RoboCop collection with the best versions available, you will not be disappointed.

Get more information about RoboCop 2 on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about RoboCop (2014) on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

The Bigger The Better

Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembène

For those who want a captivating introduction to African cinema…

Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembène is a vital slice of African cinema that finds the master filmmaker tackling the impact of oppressors without kid gloves. The films range from gravely serious to hilariously satirical with each of them working extremely well. The auteur helps fill in vital gaps in the country’s history on screen for those indigenous to the area and the world at large. No one performance stands out, but Sembène ensured everyone shined under his direction. African cinema is often unfairly overlooked, but this set is yet another reminder that this region produces some of the best work around. The Criterion Collection has released a Blu-Ray set that features the films with a great A/V presentation and a couple of nice special features. For cinephiles or Sembène fans specifically, this is one release that you should not be without.

A review of the Three Revolutionary Films by Ousmane Sembène Blu-Ray release can be found here.

All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror – Volume 2

For those in your life with witchy energy… 

Unquiet spirits have gathered once again: Severin Films has unleashed the epic follow-up box set All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium Of Folk Horror – Volume Two on Blu-Ray. The set is now available via SeverinFilms.com. This box set brings together 24 films representing 18 countries for more of the best-loved, rarely seen, thought-lost and brand-new classics of folk horror, most making their disc debuts including the North American Disc Premieres of the Severin Films Original Productions TO FIRE YOU COME AT LAST directed by Sean Hogan and the documentary SUZZANNA: THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC directed by David Gregory, which had its World Premiere at the Sitges Film Festival.

The set also features 55+ combined hours of new and archival Special Features including trailers, interviews, audio commentaries, short films, video essays, historical analyses and bonus feature-length films; a 252-page hardcover of newly commissioned folk horror fiction by luminaries that include Ramsey Campbell, Cassandra Khaw and Eden Royce with illustrations by Drazen Kozjan, and much more, all curated and produced by WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED creator Kier-La Janisse. This is enough to make any horror fan weep with joy on Christmas morning.

Get more information about All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium Of Folk Horror – Volume Two on Blu-Ray here.

Getting Depraved With Severin Box Sets

For your friend who defaults to incognito mode… 

From one Severin Films release to another pair of unbelievable releases – something for the freaks (said affectionately). Lovers of weird and wild cinema will want to pay their respects to the documentary Scala!!! or, The Incredibly Strange Rise and Fall of the World’s Wildest Cinema and How It Influenced a Mixed-up Generation of Weirdos and Misfits. Between the politically volatile years of 1978 to 1993, London’s most infamous repertory movie theater/pleasure dome screened over 4000 mind-warping films that influenced a generation of remarkable writers, musicians, filmmakers, actors, artists and activists. Co-directors Jane Giles and Ali Catterall now reveal the incredible true story of The Scala Cinema featuring rare archival footage, dozens of film clips from Scala favorites and interviews with former Scala audience members, guests and staff that include John Waters, Ben Wheatley, Jah Wobble, Cathi Unsworth, Mary Harron, Kim Newman, and more. Two additional discs include the new documentary Splatterfest Exhumed directed by Jasper Sharp about the notorious 1990 all-night horror festival featuring interviews with attendees John McNaughton, Brian Yuzna, Scott Spiegel and more, plus 12 specially curated Scala-screened short films, hours of additional material that include audio commentaries, an archive of Scala schedules, extended interviews, outtakes and animation, plus a replica Scala membership card and much more.

If you are looking to give a gift that is a bit more racy, might we suggest Hard Wood: The Adult Features of Ed Wood, a loaded 3-disc Blu-ray set featuring a trio of his lurid ‘70s adult features now restored uncut from the ultimate source elements for the first time ever. Near the end of his career, the angora-loving auteur behind PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and GLEN OR GLENDA? earned his booze funds by writing and directing explicit adult films, and this eye-popping set delivers three of the most memorable: NECROMANIA – in both hard and soft versions – stars Rene Bond and The Amazing Criswell’s coffin in a tale of weird love shot in two days by Ed while wearing a pink babydoll outfit. Uschi Digard stars in THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN, a softcore saga of nonsensical dialog and orgiastic depravity. Wood’s bizarre final film, the thought lost THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, is presented in hard and its never-before-seen soft versions.

As a bonus, J. Pat O’Malley and William Schallert star in the Wood-penned hicksploitation rarity SHOTGUN WEDDING, plus over 7 hours of Special Features that include three separate audio commentaries, a conversation with Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould produced exclusively for this collection, the North American disc debut of The Incredibly Strange Film Show – Ed Wood Jr., plus 9 vintage sex loops and much more.

Get more information about Scala!!! or, The Incredibly Strange Rise and Fall of the World’s Wildest Cinema and How It Influenced a Mixed-up Generation of Weirdos and Misfits on Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about Hard Wood: The Adult Features of Ed Wood on Blu-Ray here.

Jim Henson 4K UHD Collector’s Sets

For those in your life who have written fan fiction about The Goblin King… 

Jim Henson masterfully created original fantastical worlds that transcend imagination – brimming with magic and mystery, complete with a host of iconic characters. Whether it is the world of Thra, or the Goblin King’s Labyrinth, these unforgettable realms reflect Henson’s unparalleled talent to bring the magical, the whimsical, the bizarre, and the extraordinary to life. Get ready to bring home epic fantasy movies from the prolific genius as Shout! Studios, in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company, presents Labyrinth Limited Edition 4K UHD Collector’s Set and The Dark Crystal Limited Edition 4K UHD Collector’s Set on home entertainment shelves on just in time for the holidays.

The lavish offering of LABYRINTH Limited Edition Collector’s Set contains a glass crystal ball (iconic of the one in the movie) with interior 3D-etching of the movie title, a wooden labyrinth-style base for display, five art cards, a 28-page book with new essay, production stills, concept art by Brian Froud, a collectible sticker, a payload of bonus content, and sparkling 4K UHD and Blu-ray of LABYRINTH. All are packaged in an awe-inspiring box with wrap-around art featuring original concept art from the movie and a lid flap that opens to a window display of the crystal ball.

Collectors and loyal fans will rejoice over THE DARK CRYSTAL Limited Edition Collector’s Set, which includes a glass replica of the shard (1:1) from the movie, five art cards, a 28-page book with a new essay, production stills, concept art by Brian Froud, a collectible sticker, insightful bonus content, and stunning 4K UHD and Blu-ray of THE DARK CRYSTAL. All are housed in a gorgeous box with wrap-around art featuring original concept art from the movie and a lid flap that opens to a window display of the chard.

Get more information about The Dark Crystal on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Get more information about Labyrinth on 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.

Golden Age Essentials From Sony

For those who only want the best of the best…

There is no major studio home entertainment division that is doing it on the level of Sony and its presentation of their historic catalog. This year was a special one for the studio as they celebrated 100 years of classic moviemaking. They pulled out all of the stops with deep cuts and fan favorites getting premium presentations. Yet, it was their work in the box set realm that proved to be the most exciting for cinephiles. The crown jewel of the year would have to be the epic Frank Capra at Columbia Collection which spotlights the work of iconic and award-winning filmmaker Frank Capra as Sony proudly assembles 20 of his films in high definition from original and existing elements, with nine films also presented in full 4K resolution. From romantic pursuits to explosive action, from spectacular thrills to insightful social commentary, the collection features a wide variety of films that still feel fresh and timely today: the perfect collection of films for any mood or occasion! Then for fans of classic cinema, the scope of pre-code rarities to Best Picture-winning classics makes this set a must-own.

Continuing the fan-favorite and award-winning series, Sony also debuted twelve more acclaimed and iconic films from its library on 4K Ultra HD disc for the first time ever, exclusively within the COLUMBIA CLASSICS 4K ULTRA HD COLLECTION VOLUMES 4 & 5. Volume 4 includes films with which audiences around the world have fallen in love: HIS GIRL FRIDAY, GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER, KRAMER VS. KRAMER, STARMAN, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, and PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE. Not to be outdone, Volume 5 recently debuted with ALL THE KING’S MEN, ON THE WATERFRONT, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, TOOTSIE, THE AGE OF INNOCENCE and LITTLE WOMEN (2019). Each film is presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range, and most of the films include immersive Dolby Atmos mixes. These are always some of the top releases of the year, and these sets maintain the peerless level of quality.

Get more information about Frank Capra at Columbia Collection on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray here.

A review of the Columbia Classics 4K UHD Collection: Volume 4 release can be found here.

A review of the Columbia Classics 4K UHD Collection: Volume 5 release can be found here.

Disclaimer: Some studios have supplied copies of these releases free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this post are the honest reactions of the author.