Weapons, Alfred Hitchcock And Maxine: 10 Physical Media Picks For A Perfect Spooky Season

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Even though many people are switching to digital formats, fans of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy still strongly prefer collecting vinyl soundtracks and Blu-rays to show their enthusiasm. Or maybe that’s just my observation!

With Halloween right around the corner, we’ve put together a list of the best new Blu-ray and 4K releases you can buy. Following the popular new A Nightmare on Elm Street collection released in September, we’re also highlighting other great titles like Shout Factory’s Nosferatu The Vampire (the version directed by Werner Herzog) and the stylish, suspenseful 1972 giallo film Death Packs A Suitcase by Jess Franco. Check out the latest releases and find something spooky to watch this Halloween!

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Jennifer Kayton Robinson’s new movie continues the story of the original, bringing back Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. It’s a throwback to 80s and 90s horror films where attractive teens often found themselves in danger. The DVD also includes extra content like deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a collection of bloopers.

Weapons (Warner Home Video)

Zach Cregger’s film, which captivated viewers when it came out earlier this year, tells the story of a class of schoolchildren who vanish without a trace. Watching it at home is another opportunity to appreciate how well-made and original it is—and to be thoroughly frightened! The DVD includes three behind-the-scenes featurettes, one of which explores Cregger’s transition from comedy to horror and how he’s finding his style as a horror director.

Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Collection (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

Alfred Hitchcock’s films have long been popular on home video, so many film fans likely already own some of them. However, the chance to see classics like Psycho, Vertigo, and The Birds in stunning 4K quality is hard to resist. This new collection upgrades 15 of his films to 4K, and includes over nine hours of extra features, plus a beautiful 64-page booklet. It’s a fantastic set for any movie lover, even if you’re not a horror fan.

Eyes Without A Face (Criterion)

Georges Franju’s 1960 film, a chilling story about a doctor pioneering a new type of plastic surgery, is considered a remarkably beautiful and unsettling horror classic. This new 4K release makes the film’s innovative visual effects even more impressive. The Criterion Collection edition includes all the excellent bonus features from the previous release—including a disturbing documentary about French slaughterhouses that some find even more shocking than the movie itself—plus a beautifully illustrated booklet with older essays and a new audio commentary by film critic and author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

Jacob’s Ladder (Lionsgate)

Unlike many of Adrian Lyne’s sensual films, Jacob’s Ladder is a psychological horror story about a Vietnam veteran who comes home and starts having bizarre and frightening hallucinations. This new release from Lionsgate includes a beautifully restored 4K version of the movie, along with a making-of documentary called “The Rungs of Jacob’s Ladder,” plus commentary tracks, featurettes, and interviews.

X Trilogy 4K (A24)

A24 is releasing a beautiful, and unsettling, collection of all three films in Ti West’s recent horror trilogy, starring Mia Goth. This is the first time ‘X’ and ‘Pearl’ are available on 4K disc in the US. The set includes special features like new audio commentaries and behind-the-scenes footage, plus a 64-page book filled with essays, concept art, and photos from the making of the films.

Altered States (Criterion)

Ken Russell’s first American film, often overlooked despite the acclaim given to directors like David Cronenberg and John Carpenter, is a visually stunning and unsettling experience. It follows a researcher (William Hurt, in his film debut) who participates in a series of mind-bending experiments using various substances. This new Criterion release features a beautifully restored version of the film, along with a new commentary track, interviews from the time with the cast and crew, and a featurette dedicated to the film’s striking visual effects.

Fascination/ Shiver of the Vampires/ The Night Of The Hunted (Powerhouse Films)

French filmmaker Jean Rollin is a master of horror, celebrated for his strong female characters, gorgeous visuals, and dreamlike stories. Despite his talent, he isn’t as widely recognized as other veteran directors in the genre, possibly because his films haven’t always been easy to find in the U.S. Powerhouse Films is now releasing beautifully restored 4K versions of his work, packed with extras like commentaries and interviews. If you enjoy atmospheric horror with a touch of sensuality, these three films are excellent choices, even if you’re unfamiliar with his work.

Ms. 45 (Arrow Video)

Abel Ferrara’s early film, Ms. 45, is a standout in New York City horror, alongside classics like The New York Ripper and Maniac. Arrow Video has created a special edition worthy of the film’s reputation, featuring a new 4K restoration from the original film negative. The release also includes new commentary tracks and documentaries, with a focus on how the film portrays female empowerment, plus interviews with those involved in making it.

Nightmare Alley (Criterion)

Guillermo Del Toro’s film Nightmare Alley is newly available from Criterion in a stunning 4K edition. This release includes both the original theatrical cut and a longer, 159-minute black-and-white director’s cut, with an introduction by Del Toro for each. He also provides commentary for the director’s cut, and a documentary explores how the captivating and unsettling film was made.

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2025-10-28 20:50