In the streaming era, physical media continues to become an increasingly rarified collectible. Even if filmmakers work with companies that agree to release copies of their work on disc, the versions that end up on consumers’ shelves are seldom as laden with elaborate packaging and encyclopedic extras as they once did.
That said, a quietly growing number of companies (many independent of the major studios) have not only led the charge to champion these permanent, handheld keepsakes, but assembled in-house teams to compile and create bonus materials that offer new insights into the production and legacy of projects alongside sterling presentation and sound.
And so, for all of the cinephiles, the physical media holdouts, the pack rats and hoarders (in whose ranks I count myself), we’ve selected 10 of the month’s worthy — if not top-priority — releases to celebrate. Because we already covered the sterling new 4K edition of David Fincher’s “Se7en,” due out Jan. 7, that isn’t on our list, but read on to learn about the titles due for upgrade, expansion or rediscovery in January 2025.
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The Canyons (IFC Films)
The Canyons
Paul Schrader’s infamous 2013 film is back in print thanks to IFC Films, offering audiences a new opportunity to assess its artistic merits outside the shock value of pairing Lindsay Lohan, eager to shed her teen star bona fides once and for all, with adult film actor James Deen. In addition to handsome new packaging, this edition of the film comes with a new commentary track by film historian Adrian Martin as well as a new video interview with Schrader. Lurid or enlightening about a certain subset of Angelenos, the film fits squarely in Schrader’s oeuvre, but whether it ranks at the top, bottom or somewhere else in his body of work is up to you.
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The Cell (Arrow)
The Cell
Tarsem Singh’s visually stunning debut feature, the story of a psychologist (Jennifer Lopez) and a cop (Vince Vaughn) who literally infiltrate the mind of a serial killer (Vincent D’Onofrio) to uncover the whereabouts of his latest victim, has polarized audiences since its release in 2000. The filmmaker’s idiosyncratic vision for the film gets fully explored in a new 4K edition of the film, approved by Singh himself, alongside three different versions of the film (one never before seen), new commentaries, featurettes and much more.
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The Grifters (Criterion Collection)
The Grifters
Stephen Frears’ adaptation of Jim Thompson’s eponymous novel is one of the great — and greatly underappreciated — crime thrillers of the modern era. Its arrival on 4K, thanks to Criterion, is overdue, but at least it comes with sterling presentation and wonderful, in-depth extras, including commentary tracks with John Cusack and Anjelica Huston, a new interview with co-star Annette Bening, featurettes, documentaries and more.
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Inglourious Basterds (Arrow Video), Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2 (Lionsgate)
Image Credit: Arrow Video, Lionsgate Home Video Inglourious Basterds, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2
Four titles from Quentin Tarantino arrive in 4k for the first time this month, a welcome upgrade on films that have always looked great but deserve to be canonized among collectors. Arrow Video’s “Inglourious Basterds” is probably the most exciting expansion of the four, thanks not only to incredible packaging by peerless home video distributor Arrow Video, but an addition of some incredible featurettes focused on Tarantino’s collaborators. Previous editions of “Jackie Brown” featured the same sort of trivia track as the “Pulp Fiction” release that was upgraded last year, and that is thankfully included again. Both volumes of “Kill Bill” also join the 4K club, but there’s no telling how soon Tarantino might get around to creating extras for that film — or even that “Whole Bloody Affair” cut that he promised he’d release a few decades ago.
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The Keep (Vinegar Syndrome)
The Keep
No shortage of ink has been devoted to the films of Michael Mann — well, except this one. By a considerable margin, this 1983 horror movie is the least known entry in his filmography, primarily because it’s only been in print intermittently in the four decades since its release. Vinegar Syndrome’s two-disc release more than compensates for its absence from physical media, featuring a newly restored 4K UHD transfer, a commentary track, new interviews and loads of other extras. The additions guarantee that if it’s remained obscure to this point in its history, those lucky enough to discover it now will enjoy more than enough information to firmly contextualize it within the rest of his acclaimed body of work.
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Opera (Severin Films)
Opera
Dario Argento’s underappreciated 1987 horror film “Opera” comes to 4K with two restored versions of the film — his director’s cut and the U.S. cut. The three-disc set features some eight hours of bonus materials, including multiple commentary tracks on both versions, interviews with Argento and his actors, and much more.
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Russ Meyer titles (Vixen, Supervixens, Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens) (Severin Films)
Image Credit: Severin Films Vixen, Supervixens, Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens
The films of sexploitation icon Russ Meyer have long been out of print and never remastered for more contemporary presentation formats — until now. Severin Films brokered an historic partnership with Meyer’s estate to produce restored 4K versions of three of his most famous (arguably infamous) films, along with hours of bonus content. The packaging recalls their earlier releases — colored boxes unveiling his voluptuous stars — but everything on them is absolutely modern, giving new audiences reasons to be gobsmacked all over again. As a cinematic curio or sociological phenomenon, these are films that must be seen to be believed — exploitation entertainment that not only transgresses, but achieves artistic transcendence.
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Sliver (Vinegar Syndrome)
Sliver
Adapted from Ira Levin’s novel of the same name by “Basic Instinct” screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, “Sliver” is a seminal entry in the 1990s erotic thriller genre — though whether it’s actually good or bad remains in the eye of the beholder. Restored in 4K under the supervision of director Phillip Noyce, Vinegar Syndrome’s new set, featuring the film’s unrated cut, includes additional featurettes and bonus materials alongside original electronic press kit interview clips, as well as alternate scenes from the R-rated cut of the film.
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The Substance (Mubi)
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat’s second feature has become one of 2024’s biggest breakouts, earning her and stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley nominations and other accolades (including a best actress trophy for Moore at the Golden Globes). Distributed by Mubi, the film’s post-theatrical life will only be enhanced by this disc’s arrival, featuring editions in both high definition and 4K. This initial edition features only a single featurette, but if you’re not subscribed to the beautifully curated streaming service, this will be your best chance to revisit the film and its over-the-top pleasures.
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Venom: The Last Dance (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Venom: The Last Dance
“Venom” was the one “Spider-Man” spinoff that really flourished, but the series came to an end in 2024 with “The Last Dance.” SPHE commemorates its impact not only with an extras-laden 4K release of that title but the first two films in a box set that includes a Venom action figure. Among the bonus materials are featurettes focusing on Tom Hardy as the title character, director Kelly Marcel’s transition from franchise screenwriter to helming its final installment, and collections of deleted scenes and bloopers.