2024 has been a banner year for physical media between boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome, Scream Factory, and Arrow Video and studio releases that have upped their game to match what those companies are doing. If you love physical media or you have someone in your life that does, getting gifts for them in a sea of Blu-ray and 4K UHD releases is difficult. What are the best editions? Should you get that special edition? Good thing we’re here to sift through all of it and give you the best recommendations for gift-giving this year. This list is in no special order, so feel free to take all of the recommendations in whatever order you’d like.

A Nightmare On Elm Street 4K UHD SteelBook

It was a good year for NIghtmare On Elm Street fans with the release of this new 4K UHD Steelbook (there’s also a normal version available) for the first film. The new 4K transfer is a godsend for fans of the film and makes it look as good as new. The SteelBook edition has some gorgeous art on the front and back and even has art inside the box of Freddy. This one is in stock at most retailers still and runs about $34.99. Grab it for any horror fan out there.

The Terminator 4K UHD Special Edition

James Cameron made waves with the re-release of his movies Aliens, True Lies, and The Abyss on 4K UHD. Those were a bit controversial with their use of AI-upscaling and how it made the films look. Come this holiday season, people were worried that The Terminator would face a similar fate. We’re happy to report that the 1984 film has never looked better than it does on this edition. There’s a normal 4K variation available as well if this one is out of stock, but take one look at that SteelBook packaging and tell me that an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan in your life wouldn’t want that. It’ll run you $34.99 for the Steelbook if you can find it in stock.

Blazing Saddles 4K UHD

Blazing Saddles recently got its first foray into 4K UHD and the movie has never looked better. This new edition adds some of the best picture quality with sound you won’t believe, so hearing all those coffee and beans farts during the movie will be that much more hilarious. There’s a regular edition and a SteelBook, so depending on how big of a Mel Brooks fan you’re gifting for, you can get either one. The normal edition runs for about $24.99 and the SteelBook at $34.99. The movie changed comedy forever, so that physical media fan in your life needs it.

Pulp Fiction Limited Edition 30th Anniversary 4K UHD

The new Pulp Fiction limited edition 30th Anniversary 4K UHD runs a bit more expensive than the other entries on this list, but it’s worth it for any Quentin Tarantino fan. It’s loaded with special features on the disc, of course, but it also comes with physical extras like a pop-up card, lobby cards, stickers, and more. It’ll cost you $59.99, but that’s worth it for any fan of this exquisite movie. There’s also an older version of the 4K UHD, in case you just want the movie and not the physical goodies.

Interstellar 10th Anniversary Collector’s Box Set 4K UHD

Here’s the crown jewel for studio releases for physical media fans this Holiday season. Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar is celebrating 10 years and to mark the occasion, they’ve put out one of the most comprehensive and exciting box sets ever. If you love physical extras with your movies, this is the place. You get mini posters, lobby cards, and other extras that bring you even deeper into the lore of Interstellar. This one is harder to find, but totally worth it. There’s also a regular edition of just the stunning 4K UHD, if you’re not into the full on box set.

Ahsoka: Complete Season 1 4K UHD SteelBook

Ahsoka Season 1 arrives with The Mandalorian Season 3 and Loki Season 2 on 4K UHD SteelBook from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. These 4K SteelBook editions are the next in a long line of excellent home video releases from Disney. We asked, and they listened and continue to put out great versions of their Disney+ shows on physical media. Ahsoka might be the prettiest of all the series that they’ve put out so far. So for that Star Wars fan in your life, this is a must-buy. It generally runs for between $49.99 and $74.99 depending on the sale and where you’re getting it.

Honorable Mentions For Physical Media Gifts

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical) 4K UHD Box Set
  • Deadpool & Wolverine 4K UHD
  • Alien: Romulus 4K UHD
  • Godzilla Minus One 4K UHD
  • Twin Peaks: From Z to A 4K UHD Box Set (Seasons 1-3, Fire Walk WIth Me)
  • Terrifier 3 4K UHD SteelBook
  • The Keep 4K UHD from Vinegar Syndrome
  • Dragon Ball Super: The Complete Series Limited Edition SteelBook Box Set
  • Galaxy Quest 4K UHD

What’re some of the best physical media gifts you’ve given this year or are going to give? Let us know in the comments.

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Star Wars Day 2024 Gift Guide