When it comes to horror movies, there are a couple certainties. One is that they’ll be terrifying and fun, the other is that it’ll inevitably get a collector’s edition or a box set. It seems like more and more we get box sets for every kind of release. If some of them weren’t so awesome, it might cheapen the whole idea. After all, collectors love nothing more than a big box, package art, and special features. We already gave a quick overview of how to collect Horror Blu-Rays and other home media earlier this Fright-A-Thon, but these are the five best ones that money can buy.

5. Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection
Universal Home Entertainment

If you’re in the market for what the backbone of the horror genre is, here it is. The classic Universal Monsters all in one package. This set isn’t in print anymore but you can get the individual sets, including the “essential” ones in 4K. You get the entire saga from 1931-1956. That’s the original era of horror. Early on films are more influenced by the German expressionism movement and silent eras, while the further you get, the more insane and zany the films get.

This set gives you an education in the early eras of horror, and it’s one of the best you can buy.

4. The Thing Limited Edition
Arrow Video

Arrow Video is on this list twice because the quality of their releases are just that great. With The Thing, we have an excellent DVD release from Universal, we have another Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory, but this one takes the cake. Arrow went back and gave us the best transfer the film has ever seen. This transfer is so good, that Scream Factory used their transfer for the Steelbook edition.

This one is also out of print, but you can still get the standalone edition with the special features and transfer. The box set, lobby cards, poster, and everything add together for one of the best standalone releases.

3. Hellraiser The Scarlet Box
Arrow Video

The Hellraiser series was lost at sea for a bit there. We had plenty of craptastic direct-to-DVD sequels, but those first three films are the best of the entire series. Arrow Video gave us the best possible look into the first three Hellraiser films. It includes brand new 2K restorations along with archival content from other releases and new commentaries and interviews with Clive Barker, Doug Bradley, and Sean Chapman. This edition also comes with a 200 page hardback book, a 20 page art booklet, and new art cards.

This four disc set is…sadly out of print, but you can pick up the individual releases in a new, less snazzy box-set from Arrow Video. Hopefully all the new Hellraiser projects give us some special box-sets.

2. Friday The 13th Collection Deluxe Edition
Scream Factory

This is the most recent set on our list. It’s a minor miracle with all the rights issues involving the series that this got made. It came out in October 2020, and you can still pick this one up for MSRP. This one has every film in the series, regardless of who owns the rights. You get hours of bonus features, and the uncut versions of the films in the set. It isn’t without issues. There are replacement discs, so make sure if you’re buying this one, that you get the fixed version.

This one has the best packaging for any Scream Factory release out there, and you can’t go wrong for the price. Grab it directly from Scream Factory.

1. Halloween: The Complete Collection Limited Deluxe Edition
Scream Factory

Here it is, the granddaddy of them all. Halloween has plenty of movies, and this one contains all of them. You get the elusive Producer’s Cut of Halloween 6. It has hours of special features and besides the new 4K versions of Halloween 1-5 from Scream Factory. No matter what you think of some of the films, this one has the best packaging, best extras, and most content for any box-set.

For fans of the series, this set is long out of print, and the more “affordable” version that looks like this is also sold out:

So if you’re trying to get the Halloween films in full on Blu-ray, you’ll have to cobble together other releases and Scream Factory’s individual releases.

Horror films usually have special editions, but box sets take that to a new level. In these five, we got box sets that fans and collectors can be proud of.

For more on horror, check out the month-long Halloween marathon, Fright-A-Thon, or stay tuned to That Hashtag Show.

The 2021 Halloween Movie Marathon Schedule [Fright-A-Thon]