This October is a MASSIVE month for horror movies on physical media.
The studios and physical media labels tend to save some of their best stuff for spooky season, and this year is no exception. The Criterion Collection, Kino Lorber, and Shout Studios all have a huge selection this month, and studios like Paramount, Universal, and Lionsgate are bringing forward some awesome releases with unique packaging that will appeal to collectors.
If you haven’t jumped back into the world of physical media, this is as good a time as ever to start a horror movie collection.
The Criterion Collection
‘Videodrome’
The team at the Criterion Collection have truly outdone themselves with horror releases for October. First up on October 3rd is Nicolas Roeg’s thriller Don’t Look Now in a new 4K UHD release from a recent remastering of the film. This is followed by another 4K UHD release of David Cronenberg’s Videodrome on October 10th. Both of these films were previously available in the collection but are being upgraded to the new format.
For new titles, Criterion is releasing a Tod Browning Blu-ray collection titled Sideshow Shockers on October 17th featuring the films Freaks, The Unknown, and The Mystic. These films are all making their Blu-ray debut in HD. Freaks in particular has been on my wish list for a long time, so this is a very exciting day for film fans.
Finally, on October 24th, Criterion brings The Others, the severely underseen 2001 horror/thriller starring Nicole Kidman, to 4K UHD and Blu-ray. While many horror fans may know this one, I am hoping a Criterion release opens it up to new audiences, as it is a fantastic film.
Kino Lorber
‘Cujo’
Kino Lorber has been around for a long time as an independent physical media label, but their recent output since the 4K format was released has been seriously impressive. In October they are adding two 4K upgrades and several new Blu-rays to their already impressive horror catalog.
On October 24th, Kino is releasing both Red Dragon and Cujo on 4K UHD with newly remastered video with Dolby Vision HDR. Kino also has a nice line-up of HD Blu-rays available on the 24th including Lorna the Exorcist, Black Sabbath, The Dark Power, Alien Outlaw, and It! The Terror from Beyond Space.
Shout! Studios/Scream Factory
‘Pumpkinhead’
Shout! Studios is well known for their line of Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and 4K UHD release under their Scream Factory label, and October is shaping up to be another big month for the label.
First up is the Night of the Demons series, available on October 3rd. The first film Night of the Demons will be available in a new 4K UHD Collector’s Edition, while Night of the Demons 2 and Night of the Demons 3 will have new HD Blu-ray releases.
The fun continues on October 10th with Pumpkinhead making its 4K UHD debut, as well as a limited edition Blu-ray of the notorious Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey. Finally, on October 17th Scream Factory will release a Collector’s Edition 4K UHD of The Blob (1988).
Paramount Scares
Not to be outdone by these boutique labels, Paramount has a big October planned for physical media collectors. Paramount recently announced a new line called “Paramount Scares” which will focus on the studio’s catalog of horror films. With this announcement came a brand new box set with 5 Paramount films on 4K UHD which will be available on October 24th. This set includes Pet Sematary, Rosemary’s Baby, Smile, Crawl, and a surprise fifth title which has yet to be announced. The limited edition set also includes a Collector’s Edition of Fangoria Magazine with all new articles and features edited by Justin Beahm from Reverend Entertainment, a limited edition pin, and all new artwork for each film.
Paramount is also releasing Scream 3 on 4K UHD for the first time on October 3rd, and a new Friday the 13th 4K UHD SteelBook with brand new artwork as well as a standalone release of Rosemary’s Baby on 4K UHD on October 10th.
Lionsgate
‘Talk to Me’
Lionsgate also has a great October planned, starting with The Mist making its 4K UHD debut on October 3rd with both a standard edition and a collectible SteelBook featuring all of the different cuts of the film. The fun continues on October 17th with a gorgeous new 4K UHD SteelBook release of The Wicker Man (1973) with incredible artwork and packaging that will please both hardcore and casual fans of the film.
Also on October 17th, the smash horror hit Talk to Me is coming to physical media with several packaging options including a WalMart exclusive Blu-ray package and an Amazon exclusive 4K UHD package, as well as standard editions on both formats. If you want to go even bigger, Umbrella Entertainment in Australia is releasing an incredible collector’s edition complete with a replica embalmed hand which you can make your own!
Universal
Are you a fan of the Universal Monsters classics? Well Universal has a release for you. While these eight core Universal Monsters films were previously released on 4K UHD, Universal has a brand new box set featuring new artwork and a large book full of additional information which will go on sale on October 3rd and is limited to 5,500 copies. The films included in the set are Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, The Invisible Man, The Mummy, The Bride of Frankenstein, Phantom of the Opera, and Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Universal also has a 4K UHD + 3D Blu-ray release of the sci-fi classic It Came from Outer Space. I have always considered sci-fi, especially aliens, to be horror-adjacent, so make sure you check this one out if you enjoy that 1950s science fiction goodness!
Troma
Troma’s biggest franchise is The Toxic Avenger, and they have an amazing 4K UHD box set hitting shelves on October 24th with all 4 films from the franchise newly remastered in 4K. In typical Troma fashion, they had a cheeky press release that promoted the set better than I could myself, so here is the synopsis from their listing:
“For the first time in the history of mankind, all 4 Toxic Avenger films of the world famous franchise have been brought together into one Tromarific 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray package! This “TOXSET” (which you could hold in your hands if you hand over your money to buy these again) will prove to be an increasingly valuable collectible. Because Lloyd Kaufman, Toxie’s creator is over 70 years old, he could die at any time. This will make this limited edition soar in value!”
So those are the highlights for October, which is an absolutely packed month for horror movie collectors and physical media enthusiasts. The horror genre specifically is getting some of the best treatment it ever has with all of these amazing releases, so buy your favorites and support the physical media cause! If you want to learn more about these releases, watch reviews, and get back into collecting, come check out my YouTube channel Films At Home for all the latest in home entertainment and movie collecting.