Joshua’s Top 25 Blu-ray Releases of 2018

Let me be clear about something. Physical media is not dead and it isn’t going anywhere. 2018 was a fantastic year if you are a Blu-ray collector. In fact, so good that I upped my count of Top 10 Blu-rays to a Top 25. I doubt a release like Munchies (1987) from Shout Factory would have gotten any kind of physical copy today if the Blu-ray market was struggling. I applaud the studios that put so much care and effort into these releases to make buyers happy; especially any company that dares to release Munchies. These are my Top 25 Blu-rays of 2018 that I never ever have to worry about being removed from streaming sites because they are in my collection forever.

25. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988) – Blu-ray – Arrow Video

The wise cracking vamp is on Blu and looks terrific! Unfortunately Arrow Video’s new Blu-ray is Region B locked. A Region Free Mediabook is available from Germany, but not sure about the quality. Arrow’s release comes with a brand new restoration, 3 commentary tracks, a feature length documentary, and a shiny purpleish slipcover. It’s too bad there is still no Region A Blu-ray. Those of us with Region Free players, Arrow gets my money this time. [Editor’s Note: You may remember when we were the first site to publish news about this coming to Blu-Ray back in October of 2016. I’m super happy to see this as a physical product.]

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24. I Am A Hero (2015) – Blu-ray – Funimation

A Japanese horror movie you might have missed. Based on the manga by Kengo Hanazawa, I Am A Hero is about a delusional manga artist who finds himself in the middle of a zombie outbreak and strives to become the hero in his art to save himself and the people around him. Those who felt a little disappointed in the lack of gore in the Korean zombie movie Train to Busan might find this one much more satisfying. Zombies are done right and the gore is plentiful. A new recommendation for you horror hounds.

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23. The Day After (1983) – Blu-ray – Kino Lorber

A powerful made for TV movie getting it’s first ever Blu-ray release. The Day After broke ratings records when originally aired on ABC in 1983 drawing over 100 million viewers in 39 million households. Dealing with a post-apocalyptic nuclear holocaust, the movie is depressing but also an eye opener. Oh, it also stars Steve Guttenberg. Highly recommended. This long awaited Blu-ray comes with 2 cuts of the film (!), and a few interviews.. not including Steve Guttenberg.

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22. Matinee (1993) – Blu-ray – Shout Factory

Here’s a small gem of a movie directed by Joe Dante and starring John Goodman. The Matinee Blu-ray was a blind buy for me and I do not regret it. The movie is a fun tribute to the monster movies of the 50’s and 60’s shown from the view of a young boy during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. It’s filled with characters you care for and that’s what makes it work. I had a fun time watching and is worth purchasing, even if you’ve never seen it.

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21. Mandy (2018) – Blu-ray – RLJE Films

I’m expecting to see Mandy make numerous Top 10 Best of the Year lists. I even know a few who plan to place it as their number #1 film of 2018. It’s a real shame the movie is not eligible for any Oscar recognition, most especially a nomination for Jóhann Jóhannsson’s score. I skipped Mandy in theaters and I strongly regret missing out. Even at home, the movie is a wild ride. It’s an experience that feels like something new and different. A daring trip with no limitations. Mandy may be available on Shudder, but it’s definitely worth adding to your collection.

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20. 12 Monkeys (1995) – Blu-ray – Arrow Video

It felt like it was all but a done deal that The Criterion Collection would be the ones who put out a proper Blu-ray release of Terry Gilliam’s Sci-Fi epic 12 Monkeys on Blu-ray. Given Criterion’s relationship with Gilliam and the many Blu-rays released through them, it felt like 12 Monkeys was screaming for the Criterion treatment. Well, you snooze you lose Criterion. Arrow Video snatched this up and gave the fans a serviceable HD presentation, unlike Universal’s previous effort. Not too heavy on extras, but “The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of Twelve Monkeys” remains a very insightful documentary on the film’s production. In exception to the slipcover artwork, I doubt Criterion would have put out a better release than this.

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19. American Psycho (2000) – 4K Ultra HD – Lionsgate

For years fans have been stuck watching an outdated Blu-ray of American Psycho that was jittery, over sharpened, DNRd, hazy, with lossy audio. It looked bad to the point that I felt that maybe the movie has always looked bad and there is just not much that can be done to improve it. Boy, was I wrong. Lionsgate released a number of horror titles in their catalog this year in 4K with mostly positive results, but none surpassing the glorious new transfer of American Psycho.

No more over sharpening, no more DNR. American Psycho finally looks like it was shot on film. An even bigger improvement has been made to the audio with Lionsgate supplying a Dolby Atmos track that literally rattled me to the bones. Check out the chainsaw scene with Patrick in Paul Allen’s apartment. The audio is so gloriously loud and perfect, it scared the daylights out of my cat. Of all the Blu-ray to 4K jumps that I have made, this is the one that I feel shows the biggest improvement. It is absolutely worth purchasing again.

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18. Sisters (1972) – Blu-ray – The Criterion Collection

This Hitchcockian horror-thriller from director Brian De Palma was given a perfect HD upgrade over Criterion’s previously released DVD from 2000. Sisters is a smart mystery that might not be quite at par with De Palma’s Dressed To Kill or Blow Out, but an effective psychological thriller no doubt. Arrow Video put out their own Region Free Blu-ray last year. Although I don’t own Arrow’s release to compare, I can tell you that this new restoration looks so good that even if it were possible to somehow make it look even better, it’s just not necessary.

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17. Hocus Pocus (1993) – Blu-ray – Steelbook – Disney Pictures

Here is a double dip purchase I made almost solely for the packaging. The Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook of Hocus Pocus is designed to look like Winifred Sanderson’s spell book. How awesome is this packaging? I was originally going to pass on purchasing until the announcement came just a week before release that this would be a new Blu-ray with new extras. The fun “Trivia and Treats” special feature works like a picture in picture mode and offers trivia, interviews, deleted scenes, and more never before released material. Retailed for only $12.99! Sadly, this steelbook is no longer available through Best Buy and goes for crazy prices on eBay.

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16. It’s Alive Trilogy (1974 – 1987) – Blu-ray – Shout Factory

2018 has been a good year for collectors who enjoy box set packages. Anybody whose media collection consists of mostly horror movies, the It’s Alive Trilogy is a worthy addition. I really only enjoyed the first It’s Alive by director Larry Cohen, but if you watch 1 then you have to watch 2 and if you’ve watched 2 than you might as well watch 3. Making it’s way to HD for the first time ever, the It’s Alive Trilogy set offers great transfers and a nice selection of extras for all 3 films. My only complaint, I felt the documentaries could have been longer.

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15. Predator (1987) – 4K Ultra HD – 20th Century Fox

I can’t think of a movie that has had an any more troubled history on Blu-ray than Predator. The first Blu-ray released in 2008 looked.. meh. Not much of an improvement over the DVD. Most fans complained that the image looked too grainy. My complaint was that the image looked too soft. Fox took the complaints about the grainy image to heart and released the Ultimate Hunter Edition in 2010.

The UHD of Predator will go down as one of the biggest video quality botches by a major studio. Waxy faces and a near digitized jungle is not my idea of “High Definition”. I’m happy to say that this new 4K Ultra HD transfer of Predator is the definitive presentation of this movie. Picture Quality is damn near perfect and very film like. Throw out your other copies and settle for the 4K. Buyers beware, the standard Blu-ray of Predator released this year and in this set is the same 2010 HD transfer with the horrible DNR used on the Ultimate Hunter Edition. Avoid it.

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14. Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971) – Blu-ray – Vinegar Syndrome

Rated X by an all white jury, “Sweetback” is credited as being the birth of blaxploitation cinema. This is a good place to start for those interested in getting into the genre. Melvin Van Peebles Scored, Edited, Produced, Wrote, and Directed the picture, basically pouring his heart and soul into it. With stories about the making of the movie being just as interesting as the film itself, it’s also highly recommended you check out Baadasssss! (2003), a biopic on the making of the movie directed by Peebles’ son. The movie is in good hands with Vinegar Syndrome and deliver a great release as usual with excellent Picture and Audio, plus a stacked selection of extras. However, fans might want to seek out or hold onto their Criterion Collection Laserdisc which includes a great Audio Commentary by director Peebles himself.

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13. The Changeling (1980) – Blu-ray – Second Sight

Both Severin Films in the US and Second Sight in the UK put out Blu-ray releases of The Changeling this year. It was a tough decision, but I could not pass on that Limited Edition packaging from Second Sight. Turns out I made the right decision. Severin’s release botched the audio and the glitch was not caught in time creating a madness of replacement discs and botched replacement discs on top. I read there is a small sync error in the 5.1 track of the Second Sight release, but the 2.0 track is fine. This movie is cursed! I love Severin, but the Second Sight release is easily the better purchase here, plus it’s Region Free. This Limited Edition release comes with a double sided poster, 40-page booklet, CD soundtrack, and reversible Blu-ray sleeve all packaged inside a hard box with amazing artwork.

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12. Creepshow (1982) – Blu-ray – Shout Factory

Shout Factory took some savage abuse on the internet this year. After Grindhouse Video was forced to jack up their online prices of select Scream Factory titles and the ridiculous price hike of all new releases for a sub-par product, it’s getting hard to defend them. Starman on Blu-ray for $30 with the same transfer and 1 new extra? Nah, I’m good. I’m sure Shout Factory has their reasons for the questionable business decisions as of late. I’ll give Shout credit, they put out some great stuff this year, and Creepshow is one of those great things.

This is the first time in America that Creepshow got any real kind of special treatment on Blu-ray. Second Sight in the UK gave Creepshow a grand Blu-ray with plenty of extras back in 2013. For years we were stuck with a bare bones Blu-ray leaving fans hungry for something more (and I don’t mean a Father’s Day cake). Scream Factory’s release of Creepshow offers a new, glorious looking transfer and a load of special features in a hard box packaging. Combine this with “Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow” from Synapse Films and you got yourself an Ultimate Edition.

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11. They Live (1988) – 4K Ultra HD – Studio Canal

Is 4K really worth it? Well, I think it depends on what titles you buy. When the announcement dropped that 4 John Carpenter movies were getting the 4K treatment, I put my order in immediately for 3 out of those 4 titles (no offence to Prince of Darkness). They Live was previously released on Blu-ray in the States by Shout Factory and the transfer could have looked better. The image was DNRd and looked a tad too bright. John Carpenter’s art deserved better. This new 4K transfer from Studio Canal fixes Shout’s errors, shows more fine detail, dials back the brightness, and welcomes back the natural colors. This is one worth upgrading. Also keep in mind that all 4K Ultra HD discs are Region Free.

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10. Female Trouble (1974) – Blu-ray – The Criterion Collection

Female Trouble is easily John Waters’ funniest film. It’s not at the shock level as Pink Flamingos, but surpasses it with it’s sense of humor, style, attitude, characters, and dialogue. Criterion delivers the goods with a perfect transfer and a heavy selection of extras including trimmed scenes and the always welcome Audio Commentary by Waters. Hope Blu-rays for Desperate Living and Pink Flamingos are right around the corner.

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9. Maniac (1980) – Blu-ray – Blue Underground

Just look at that artwork. There are 2 things there that tell me that this is worthy of every Top 10 list of 2018. First is the blood splatter with the words “NEW 4K RESTORATION”. Second is the Blue Underground logo in the bottom left corner. Blue Underground does not release a whole lot in a year, but when something drops by them, expect a top notch, high quality product. Movies like Maniac Cop 2 & 3, Deathdream, Zombie, Death Line (just to name a few) have all been given Blu-rays by Blue Underground with transfers, extras, and packaging that is beyond better than they have any right to be. Maniac is no exception. Another flawless transfer, loads of extras, the soundtrack (because why not?) and an eye popping slipcover.

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8. Escape From New York (1981) – 4K Ultra HD – Studio Canal

Another Shout Factory Blu-ray to Studio Canal 4K upgrade. Escape from New York is my favorite film from director John Carpenter and one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time. Shout Factory’s Blu-ray released in 2015 I thought looked fine but there was room for improvement. I didn’t hate the transfer as much as some did, but liked it better than MGM’s HD effort from 2010, an opinion I seem to be alone on. The 2010 Blu-ray was ridiculously too dark. So dark that even my VHS copy recorded from HBO in the mid 80’s showed more noticeable details. I hated it.

Many complained that Shout’s Blu-ray was too bright, over-saturated, soft in detail, and heavy on compression. This 4K effort from Studio Canal is the best the movie has looked and should leave little to complain about. Detail is noticeably improved in all areas in the most film-like presentation I’ve seen in a home viewing. A nice little addition is the inclusion of the LCPM 2.0 audio track which includes all the original sound effects. A must own for hardcore fans!

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7. The Last House on the Left (1972) – Blu-ray – Arrow Video

Let me do the Joe Bob Briggs styled Drive-In Totals for this movie.

We have:

• Throat Slitting
• Chest Carving
• Penis Munching
• Gut Pulling
• Knife Stabbing
• Decapitation by a Chainsaw
• 1 pair of soiled pants
• 1 severed hand
• A suicide via gunshot to the head
• 2 stupid cops playing checkers
• A cake baking montage with comedic 70’s background music
• Ada Washington and her truck of chickens
• Homemade Booby Traps
• Chisel to the teeth

I’ll never understand any horror fan that dislikes this movie. Arrow Video loaded this release with 3 cuts of the film, deleted scenes, 3 commentary tracks, the soundtrack, a poster, and a 60-page booklet packaged inside a hard box. You done good Arrow.

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6. The Matrix Trilogy (1999 – 2003)  – 4K Ultra HD – Warner Bros.

Who else hated the over saturated green tint that plagued the DVD and Blu-ray releases of The Matrix movies? I know I’m not the only one. The Matrix Trilogy looks stunning in 4K and is worth the price for the upgrade. Color grading is now more accurate to the original theatrical presentation and audio makes the jump to Dolby Atmos (which is greatly improved in Reloaded and Revolutions). If you’re just now making the jump to 4K, make this your first purchase. It looks and sounds stunning.

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5. Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection (1931 – 1956) – Blu-ray – Universal

This almighty motherload of a box set contains 30 classic Universal monster movies in HD. All your popular favorites are here; Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man, Phantom of the Opera. Also contains a few underrated gems such as The Invisible Man Returns, The Spanish Version of Dracula and Son of Frankenstein. On top of that, this set also includes 3 Blu-ray copes of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (because 1 copy is clearly not enough).

Each monster was given it’s own individual Legacy Blu-ray set starting in 2016 with the release of Frankenstein and The Wolf Man. I was fooled into buying the sets individually before upgrading to this epic set, which is why I’m sticking it at #5 and not the #1 spot. Also worth noting that Universal botched the picture quality on the Revenge of the Creature / The Creature Walks Among Us Blu-ray disc, leaving some fans still waiting for their replacement disc. Still, a must own for your collection!

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4. Night of the Living Dead (1968) – Blu-ray – The Criterion Collection

The folks at Criterion celebrated the 50th Anniversary of George A. Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead in a big way with the release of a new Special Edition Blu-ray. It’s hard to say that this is the definitive release of the movie since so many unique releases have come before this. Important extras missing are the “Reflections on the Living Dead” documentary found on the Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray from Australia, and the “One For the Fire: The Legacy of Night of the Living Dead” documentary found on the Dimension Films DVD and Happinet Blu-ray from Japan. 20th Century Fox also put out a Colorized Version with hilarious commentary by Mike Nelson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 if that is your thing. Although this new Blu-ray offers some amazing new features, I was not so quick to throw out my older DVD and Blu-ray copies.

The Japanese Blu-ray from Happinet had the best looking transfer for the film before Criterion schooled them. The new 4K transfer makes improvements in every aspect making the flaws from the best previous release look more obvious. It’s safe to say that as far as presentation goes, this is the best Night of the Living Dead has ever looked. The time and effort Criterion put into this release alone is worth your time and money, even if it is your 30th time buying it.

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3. The Critters Collection (1986 – 1992) – Blu-ray – Shout Factory

Shout Factory brought all 4 Critters movies to Blu-ray this year for the first time ever with above satisfactory results. This HD package is an absolute must own for horror fans. Those waiting all these years to finally upgrade their DVDs, I’m happy to say it was worth the wait. Critters 1 & 2 offer an excellent upgrade in quality with 3 & 4 looking good, but not great. Each movie is given its own mini documentary in the special features and 4 commentary tracks total. I think most fans would have been satisfied enough with movie only editions since this package has been highly requested for so long. Hell, even worth whatever high price Shout is asking for it.

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2. Candyman (1992) – Blu-ray – Shout Factory / Arrow Video

Here’s another big title fans can finally cross off their list. Candyman in HD for the first time ever in America. Again, a highly anticipated release worth the long wait. Shout Factory’s Blu-ray features 2 cuts of the film (Theatrical and Unrated), both restored in 2K from a 4K scan that was approved by director Bernard Rose. Picture Quality is very good and the extras are stacked. 3 commentary tracks, 5 featurettes, 5 interviews, and then some. Arrow Video also released their own Region B Locked Blu-ray edition in the UK with slightly different extras and perks (also slightly better picture quality). I can’t say it enough, a must own for horror fans.

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1. Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete Collection (2015 – 2018) – Blu-ray – Starz / Lionsgate

On April 20th, 2018, the announcement dropped that Starz had decided to cancel Ash vs Evil Dead after 3 seasons. Although I was upset about the cancellation, I was also thankful we even got Ash vs Evil Dead, much less 3 seasons. I remember tuning into Starz Halloween night in 2015 to experience the closest thing we will ever get to the Evil Dead 4 that fans have been begging for. What was given is something even better. This series demands to be seen and shame on anybody who failed to support it. From beginning to end the show doesn’t even come close to even thinking about disappointing you. Bruce Campbell as Ash is brilliant as usual, the cast of supporting characters are lovable and carefully developed, and the gore is so heavy it practically runs down your television set.

The Complete Collection set dropped on Blu-ray 2 months after the Blu-ray release of Season 3 but came just in time for Halloween (see how this is coming full circle?). 6 discs total with an Audio Commentary for every single episode! Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete Collection gets my number 1 spot because it’s 100% fan service that deserved more attention.

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