Nothing cleans up a messy home video shelf like a box set, and this coming September is a dream-come-true for collectors-of-nightmares. There are no fewer than five horror movie franchise collections that are being released throughout the month. If anyone has been considering either consolidating a mixed-and-matched assortment of individual discs into one tidy box, or finally upgrading some of those VHS or DVD copies to blu-ray, this September may be the time.
Universal Classic Monsters: The Complete 30-Film Collection
The month begins with a bang on September 2nd with the release of Universal Classic Monsters: The Complete 30-Film Collection, a DVD set that compiles together all of the monster films that helped Universal become a horror empire into a 21-disc set. Every one of the standards is included – Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and The Phantom of the Opera – as well as all of the sequels and spinoffs. The content, including extras, seems to have been culled from the Legacy Collection titles that were released about ten years back. The drawback to this impressive set is that it will only be available on DVD, but there are options for those who prefer blu-ray; the titles will be released on blu-ray individually, and the eight film Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection is still available (money saving tip – the U.K. version is region-free!). Universal Classic Monsters: The Complete 30-Film Collection lists for $199.98, but a little research and diligence should be able to uncover a lower price.
Halloween: The Complete Collection
A few weeks later, September 23rd, is a red-letter day, with three huge titles on the calendar. The biggest release by far is one for which movie fans have been waiting a long time – Halloween: The Complete Collection. Scream Factory and Anchor Bay have teamed up on a 15-disc set compiling all 8 original franchise movies and the unrated versions of both Rob Zombie remakes. The set also includes the network television versions of Halloween and Halloween II, as well as the never-before-released Producer’s Cut of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. Early criticism has deemed the set as “not complete” due to the absence of the theatrical versions of the Zombie films, but Scream Factory consistently puts out amazing product so, literally complete or not, fans can rest assured that it will be packed with features and extras. The set lists for $169.99, but for those with limited budgets, there is also a “less complete” 10 disc set that just contains the theatrical releases with limited extras for $129.99. As always, both can be found for less with a little shopping around.
The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology
Also releasing on the 23rd is The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology, a 6-disc blu-ray set that includes both the theatrical and extended cuts of The Exorcist along with Exorcist II: The Heretic, The Exorcist III, Exorcist: The Beginning, and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist. For those who already bought the 40th Anniversary release of The Exorcist last year, there will be standalone releases of The Exorcist II: The Heretic, The Exorcist III, and Exorcist: The Beginning, but this set will be the only release of Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist. So far, details about extras are not known, but this set is significant for being the first HD blu-ray treatment of the sequel films. The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology lists for $35.99 but, again, shop around.
Saw: The Complete Movie Collection
That’s not all for September 23rd; the day also sees the release of Saw: The Complete Movie Collection, a 3-disc set that culls together all seven unrated films from the infamous Saw franchise on blu-ray. Not many details about the set are known at this time, but earlier individual DVD and blu-ray releases were packed with extras and special features, so not including something besides the movies could be a considered a disservice to fans. The only thing that is known for sure is that the set also includes digital HD copies of the films. Special features or not, with a $24.99 list, the price is right.
Leprechaun: The Complete Movie Collection
The month closes out on September 30th with the release of Leprechaun: The Complete Movie Collection. This 4-disc set features all of the Lep movies, including Leprechaun, Leprechaun 2, Leprechaun 3, Leprechaun 4: In Space, Leprechaun In The Hood, and Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha Hood, as well as the brand-new Leprechaun: Origins prequel/reboot. The set is full of audio commentaries and making-of featurettes for every film, plus digital HD copies. Schlocky, yes, but a must-have for fans of the franchise with a list price of $39.97.
Whether it’s filling holes in a collection or just catering to OCD, there’s something for everyone this September. Classics, both new and old, that belong in every horror fan’s collection are on their way home.