If you didn't already pick up the wizarding world of Harry Potter on 4K - A new 17-disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray + Blu-ray set in deluxe Hogwarts Express Packaging is coming November 2nd!
Can you believe it's been 20 years since the first Harry Potter movie came out? Does anyone else remember when Steven Spielberg was going to direct this and wanted Haley Joel Osment as Harry? A lot changed very fast! Now we're celebrating two decades of magic and enchantment for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (or Philosopher's Stone if you want to get all U.K. vs U.S. about it) with a new Magical Movie Mode Special Edition that came out this week.
Per the description -
A wondrous new way to experience Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone! Discover filmmaking secrets, spell incantations, magical creatures and artifacts and more in this enchanting collection of fun activities and curiosities. Test your knowledge with the Hogwarts Trivia Challenge, and let the magic begin!
Here's a look at the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook available only at Best Buy in the U.S.:
But that's not all - if you've been waiting to get these films on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Warner Brothers is giving fans a nice big deluxe Collector's Edition set of all 8 films on November 2nd with some pretty fancy packaging to occupy all that remains of your shelf space:
Included are all 8 films on 4K and Blu-ray, A Hogwarts Express replica ticket, and a 32-Page behind-the-scenes booklet. The discs and the films are essentially all the same as before except for the "Magical Movie Mode" for Sorcerer's Stone. On that note, this set really is for folks who haven't added this to their collections already - or unless of course, you're a really HUGE Harry Potter fan.
What do you think? Worth picking up the deluxe packaging to celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter magic? Or are you just going to stick with the set that's already out there?
Once again - thank you for your pre-orders. They really do go a long way towards keeping our little operation up and running.
Bring home the latest "family" film - F9: The Fast Saga Theatrical & Director's Cut on Blu-ray & 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 9/21
We already knew this one was in the pipeline for some time, but Universal is finally making it official. Fans of the ever-expanding Accelerated and Vexed franchise have a few options to add this latest entry to their collections.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray will include Dolby Atmos audio along with HDR10 and HDR10+ grading for both the 02:22:41 Theatrical Cut and the 02:29:44 Director's Cut which presumably includes more mentions of the importance of "family" with Vin Diesel glowering at people. Disc looks to be a triple-layer BD-100 disc. A SteelBook for this one will also be floating around out there if you're into collecting those.
The 1080p SDR Blu-ray will also include both the Theatrical and Director's Cut of the film and also includes Dolby Atmos.
F9: The Fast Saga - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 
F9: The Fast Saga - 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook
September is a pretty packed tight month for new 4K and Blu-ray releases, but we don't anticipate this one getting a release date change - it's been available for pre-order from retailers for some time. On that note - Thank You for your pre-orders, they really do go a long way towards keeping our little operation alive and chugging.
Below is the full Press Release from Universal:
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After the big news bombshell last week that The Criterion Collection would be going 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with Six Upcoming Titles we have the official November 4K Ultra HD & Blu-Ray release slate.
The first thing to note is that this list for November doesn't include A Hard Day's Night, The Red Shoes, or The Piano - unless those get added at a later time, it looks like they're likely getting pushed back into December.
We are for sure getting Mulholland Dr., Menace II Society, and the big Granddaddy of auteur cinema Citizen Kane - These are currently only up for pre-order on Criterion's website but we expect online retailers to have them up soon: Click the links for full details
Citizen Kane The Criterion Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Includes:
HDR: Dolby Vision
Audio: English LPCM Mono
SRP Price: Before Sale Discounts $59.95
Also coming in a 3-Disc 1080p Blu-ray Edition
Mulholland Dr. The Criterion Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 
Includes:
HDR: Dolby Vision
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
SRP Price: Before Sale Discounts $49.95
Menace II Society The Criterion Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 
Includes:
HDR: Dolby Vision
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 7.1
SRP Price: Before Sale Discounts $49.95
Also coming in a Single-Disc 1080p Blu-ray edition
In addition, fans will now get Federico Fellini's La Strada and the complete 5-Film 6-Disc set of Jet Li's iconic martial arts franchise Once Upon A Time in China to devour over the Thanksgiving holiday!
La Strada The Criterion Collection 
Once Upon A Time In China The Complete Films 
That is everything we have for now - we've reached out for clarification about the other three previously announced 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray titles and if those are coming in November or have been pushed to a later date. We'll update that ASAP.
Thanks for your pre-orders - they really go a long way towards keeping our little operation up and running!
Classic 80s cartoons make for great toys but they don't always make for great movies based on said toys. In their latest attempt to make a live-action G.I. Joe movie, Paramount banked heavily one an origin story for one of the most popular characters with Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. Whether it was the lingering pandemic affecting theater attendance or just the simple fact people weren't keen on another Joe adventure - the film was hardly a flicker at the global box office leading to some doubt about any future Joe adventures. Still - I know a few G.I. Joe diehards that had a blast with it for just pure dumb fun action.
If this Nicolas Cage-free Snake Eyes is in your wheelhouse, you have a few options and all are up for pre-order:
A standard 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
A 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook
A G.I. Joe 3-Film 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Collection if you don't already own the first two films on 4K
and for you folks still rocking 1080p, there's going to be a standard SDR Blu-ray 
and a standard SDR G.I. Joe 3-Film Collection Blu-ray Set 
As always dates are subject to change, but this looks to be a firm release frame for this one. Thanks for your pre-orders, they go a long way towards helping to keep our little operation going.
Here's the full press release from Paramount:
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Citizen Kane, Menace II Society, The Piano, Mulholland Dr., The Red Shoes, and A Hard Day’s Night is their opening salvo into 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray starting this November 2021
Sadly at this moment - that's ALL we know. We don't know HDR or if there will be HDR for all of the films - "select films" is a bit teasing - audio (some might get Atmos), disc specs or anything of the like. Criterion will be punching out a full announcement soon, this was just the teaser to blow our minds.
As if the close of 2021 wasn't already expensive, Criterion is finally jumping into the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray game. We'd heard rumblings about a couple of these titles, but we didn't expect a full slate of new additions to the collection! Until that full announcement hits, we'll just have to sit back and speculate about what Criterion is going to bring to make these releases special. When all of that info comes in, we'll update our listings and get that good stuff out to you folks.
What do you think of Criterion's first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray lineup? All winners? Or are you too tired to upgrade your collection?
[UPDATE 8/16]
We now have cover art and specs for Citizen Kane, Menace II Society, and Mulholland Dr. - click the links for full details - It looks like these three are the first ones to come with the other three arriving in December or later into 2022.
Citizen Kane The Criterion Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Includes:
HDR: Dolby Vision
Audio: English LPCM Mono
SRP Price: Before Sale Discounts $59.95
Mulholland Dr. The Criterion Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Includes:
HDR: Dolby Vision
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
SRP Price: Before Sale Discounts $49.95
Menace II Society The Criterion Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Includes:
HDR: Dolby Vision
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 7.1
SRP Price: Before Sale Discounts $49.95
Below is their very brief announcement
After last week's exciting announcement of Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection Universal is now issuing solo 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBooks for Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolf Man exclusively at Best Buy in the United States. "But what about The Invisible Man?" you might ask. Well so far Best Buy hasn't added that one to their pre-order slate, but it should be going up soon. Germany will be getting a solo The Invisible Man SteelBook so it's just a matter of time. All disc contents are expected to be the same, but if anything changes on that end we'll update this article and our listings
While we wait for The Invisible Man to make his appearance, here's a look at the individual SteelBooks we do know are coming and are now up for pre-order. I was going to pre-order the main set, but these SteelBooks are pretty classy looking - Which are you going for, Individual SteelBooks, the 4-Film Set, or are you sticking with the big Blu-ray Set?
Dracula 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook
Frankenstein 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook
The Wolf Man 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook
As soon as Best Buy includes The Invisible Man in their slate we'll get that listing up and add it to this article.
Thanks for your pre-orders! They help keep our little operation rolling.
We kinda already knew this was coming, it was briefly up for pre-order on Amazon before it was taken down. Now Paramount makes it official - Scream is coming 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. The film set the bar for an entire generation of slasher films on top of three sequels and a new film coming in 2022 from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.
Now that Paramount has made things official - it's now back up for pre-order on Amazon
But that's not all - a snazzy single disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook release is also up for pre-order on Amazon!
We're awaiting full confirmation on HDR grade and audio - but as soon as that info is available we'll update our listings and this article ASAP.
Here's Paramount's full Press Release:
Do You Like Scary Movies?
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Iconic Thriller,
Newly Remastered on 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray™
Subversive Fan-Favorite Arrives October 19, 2021
with an All-New Look at the Film’s Impact and Legacy
In celebration of its 25th anniversary and just in time for Halloween, SCREAM will be released for the first time on 4K Ultra HD and in a newly remastered Blu-ray on October 19, 2021 from Paramount Home Entertainment.
25 years after its theatrical debut, SCREAM remains a wildly entertaining and terrifically terrifying cinematic experience. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, the film is a brilliant deconstruction of the horror genre that pays homage to the conventions of slasher films while upending them with clever twists and witty dialogue.
The new SCREAM 4K Ultra HD, Limited-Edition 4K Ultra HD SteelBook, and Blu-ray include a brand-new look back at the film and director Wes Craven, featuring archival behind-the-scenes footage and new interviews with stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, as well as screenwriter Kevin Williamson and the directors and other cast members from the new installment in the franchise scheduled to premiere in theaters in 2022 from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group. The discs also include access to a Digital copy of the film and the legacy bonus content detailed below:
· A Bloody Legacy: Scream 25 Years Later— NEW!
· Audio commentary by director Wes Craven and writer Kevin Williamson
· Production featurette
· Behind the Scenes
· Q&A with Cast and Crew
The delightfully wickedly hilarious and ultra-violent WWII revenge fantasy Inglourious Basterds is coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 12th from Universal Home Video
Unfortunately, not a lot of technical information was included in the press release. So we don't know if this is getting a Dolby Vision pass, or an Atmos upgrade or anything of the like. We've reached out for clarification so as soon as we know we'll pass that info along.
We do know it's coming packed with bonus features and the current planned release date of October 12th. As of now we haven't seen any hint of any retailer exclusives or SteelBook options yet, but we'll keep our eyes peeled and let you know ASAP.
Here's the full Press Release from Universal:
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
BRING HOME THE STAR-STUDDED, ACTION-PACKED WAR THRILLER IN ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION QUALITY, AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE SEEN
AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 4K, BLU-RAY™ AND DIGITAL ON OCTOBER 12, 2021
FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
SYNOPSIS: Brad Pitt takes no prisoners in Quentin Tarantino's high-octane WWII revenge fantasy
Inglourious Basterds. As war rages in Europe, a Nazi-scalping squad of American soldiers, known to their enemy as "The Basterds," is on a daring mission to take down the leaders of the Third Reich.
OVER TWO HOURS OF BONUS CONTENT, INCLUDING:
⦁ Extended & Alternate Scenes
⦁ Roundtable Discussion with Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt and Elvis Mitchell
⦁ The New York Times Talk
⦁ Nation’s Pride – Original Short
⦁ The Making of Nation’s Pride
⦁ The Original Inglourious Basterds
⦁ A Conversation with Rod Taylor
Inglourious Basterds will be available on 4K, Blu-ray™ and Digital.
⦁ 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
⦁ Blu-ray™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
⦁ Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
⦁ The Movies Anywhere Digital App simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere is available only in the United States.
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS FILMMAKERS:
Actors: Brad Pitt (Lt. Aldo Raine), Melanie Laurent (Shosanna), Christoph Waltz (Col. Hans Landa), Michael Fassbender (Lt. Archie Hicox), Eli Roth (Sgt. Donny Donowitz), Diane Kruger (Bridget von Hammersmark), Daniel Bruhl (Fredrick Zoller), Til Schweiger (Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Producer: Lawrence Bender
Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino
Director of Photography: Robert Richardson
Film Editor: Sally Menke
Sound Editor: Wylie Stateman
The classic action, adventure, war film celebrates its 60th Anniversary on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Sony on October 12th, 2021. Arriving in a 2-disc + Digital set will include the film in native 4K Ultra HD with HDR10, a new Dolby Atmos mix, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, as well as the film's original 4-Channel Stereo track topped off with a host of bonus features. The included Blu-ray will also be sourced from the new 4K master!
The Guns of Navarone - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Check out the full press release from Sony
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Well, this is a pleasant surprise! Ever since Apple updated their digital offering of Tod Browning's classic Dracula starring Bela Lugosi, we knew something was coming from Universal - but we didn't expect this! In time to celebrate the 90th Anniversaries of Dracula and Frankenstein and the 80th Anniversary of The Wolfman - Universal is bowing an 8-Disc 4K UHD Blu-ray + Blu-ray + Digital set featuring Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, and The Invisible Man
Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
This is very similar to their previous Universal Monsters Blu-ray collection from several years back. We get the classic films in Digibook packaging with the legacy extra features on top of each film in 4K and 1080p. The press release didn't stipulate HDR grade but we're suspecting only HDR10. We've reached out for confirmation on that score. As of this writing, this set isn't up for pre-order yet but as soon as it is - or if there's any kind of retailer exclusive - we'll update this article and our listings ASAP!
Here's the full press release from Universal:
UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS
ICONS OF HORROR COLLECTION
CELEBRATE NINE DECADES OF YOUR FAVORITE MONSTERS ON 4K FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN COLLECTIBLE PACKAGING
AVAILABLE ON 4K, BLU-RAY™ AND DIGITAL ON OCTOBER 5, 2021
FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
SYNOPSIS: From the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection showcases four of the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man. Starring Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and Claude Rains in the roles that they made famous, these original films set the standard for a new horror genre with revolutionary makeup, mood-altering cinematography and groundbreaking special effects.
CLASSIC MONSTER FILMS INCLUDED:
Dracula (90th Anniversary)
Frankenstein (90th Anniversary)
The Invisible Man
The Wolf Man (80th Anniversary)
HOURS OF BONUS CONTENT, INCLUDING:
The Road to Dracula
The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Karloff: The Gentle Monster
Monster by Moonlight
The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth
Now Your See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed
Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection will be available on 4K, Blu-ray™ and Digital.
4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
Blu-ray™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
The Movies Anywhere Digital App simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere is available only in the United States.
Instagram: @uniallaccess
Twitter: @UniAllAccess
Tiktok: @universalallaccess
DRACULA FILMMAKERS:
Actors: Bela Lugosi (Count Dracula), David Manners (John Harker), Edward an Sloan (Prof. Abraham Van Helsing), Helen Chandler (Mina Harker), Dwight Frye (Renfield), Frances Dade (Lucy Weston)
Director: Tod Browning
Producer: Carl Laemmle, Jr., Tod Browning
Screenplay: Garrett Fort
Based on the Work(s) of: Bram Stoker, Hamilton Deane, John L. Balderston
FRANKENSTEIN FILMMAKERS:
Actors: Boris Karloff (The Monster), Colin Clive (Dr. Henry Frankenstein), John Boles (Victor Moritz), Mae Clarke (Elizabeth), Edward Van Sloan (Dr. Waldman), Dwight Frye (Fritz), Frederic Kerr (Baron Frankenstein)
Director: James Whale
Producer: Carl Laemmle, Jr.
Screenplay: Garrett Fort, Francis Edwards Faragoh
Based on the Work(s) of: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Peggy Webling, John L. Balderston
THE INVISIBLE MAN FILMMAKERS:
Actors: Claude Rains (Jack Griffin / The Invisible Man), Gloria Stuart (Flora Cranley), William Harrigan (Dr. Arthur Kemp), Dudley Digges (Chief Detective), Una O’Connor (Jenny Hall), Henry Travers (Dr. Cranley), Forrester Harvey (Herbert Hall)
Director: James Whale
Producer: Carl Laemmle, Jr.
Screenplay: R.C. Sherriff
Based on the Work(s) of: H.G. Wells
THE WOLF MAN FILMMAKERS:
Actors: Lon Chaney, Jr. (The Wolf Man / Larry Talbot), Bela Lugosi (Bela), Claude Rains (Sir John Talbot), Warren William (Dr. Lloyd), Ralph Bellamy (Col. Montford), Patric Knowles (Frank Andrews), Maria Ouspenskaya (Maleva), Evelyn Ankers (Gwen Conliffe)
Director: George Waggner
Producer: George Waggner
Screenplay: Curt Siodma
