Year on year, physical media is making its way back into people’s lives. Vinyls had their boom comeback, with VHS and even cassettes having a quiet resurgence, with artists creating new artwork and those tech wizards lovingly restoring what we all lost from our youth. There have been nostalgic videos posted across the internet talking about ‘the good old days’ when we used to go to our local video store (and libraries!) and pick up a few films to watch on a Saturday night. But from videos, to DVDs, to Blu-ray and that short period of time, HD discs, these days are behind us but not lost.
In the digital age many people converted their collections to all be on an app or hard drive so any film was available at the click of a button. We were all led to believe that digital was king, and with streaming services taking the place of even owning any type of media, collections disappeared. But we were all deceived. Owning digital copies doesn’t mean you own them. It started with Ultra Violet, then Flixster and eventually Google Play and various other hosts. As each platform was made extinct and we moved our digital collections, titles disappeared. It all came down to rights and those buying the films had none. But while there are still collectors, there will be physical media, especially as more people are starting to collect. With streaming now becoming overwhelming, not to mention the costs becoming higher, the desire to actually own films and TV shows is a growing market.
For those unaware of all of this, there is a community that exists, with more joining every day, no exaggeration. Thousands of collectors pop up on social media daily sharing their collections, where they get their discs and why, the latter all being for similar reasons; streaming fatigue.
However, there are some setbacks, with some distributors choosing not to release their films on DVDs, Blu-rays or UHD as the losses have become too much. The collectors look to boutique distributors who specialise in home entertainment physical releases. Collector’s Editions are becoming less rare to find on release schedules from the likes of HMV and Zavvi with more bizarre films and forgotten gems also becoming available in the UK thanks to labels such as 88 Films, Indicator, Radiance Films and Arrow Video. Maybe one day we’ll get to see that physical release of Titane! Bigger distributors such as Studiocanal have seen the value in releasing a brand spanking new restoration edition of a classic, like The Graduate while also releasing a special edition of the Irish Folktale trilogy from Cartoon Saloon, more recent films. If bigger distributors are finally starting to see the value in physical releases, you can bet that more films will see a life on disc.
For those who are thinking of starting a collection, playing it safe and rummaging through your local CEX or charity shops is your best bet, but if you’re looking for the more niche titles and editions, going beyond The Criterion Collection and Arrow Video, then take a read through the mini guide below:
UK
Indicator – for those who love old films, meaning anything made before the 70s. Though there are a few titles beyond that, Indicator specialises in those under appreciated gems from the past
BFI – Restoring films from shorts collections, documentaries and more modern British films and TV
101 Films – Special and standard editions of B-movies from horror, thriller and general grime, these can be hit and miss, but they did release an absolute slasher classic double bill, Slumber Party Massacre 1 & 2 that was fantastically created.
Second Sight Films – Recent releases such as Pear and Maxxxine, as well as Talk to Me earlier this year
88 Films – Who else would release an Anaconda boxset with all 4 films? Creature features to martial arts hidden gems, as well as under seen horrors like Night of the Comet, there’s lots to choose from.
Radiance Films – If you’re lacking in world cinema, this is the label to take a look at.
Eureka – From Hollywood classics like Johnny Guitar, to beloved 80s animation like The Secret of NIMH, to silent epics like Metropolis and Chinese cinemas favourites like Police Story, Eureka has a very wide range of films to offer.
Australia
Umbrella Entertainment – Arrow Video of Australia, though they tend to release those underground Aussie/New Zealand films, horror, thriller, cult and modern classics is what they do best, with a few random indie films that are crying out for the special edition treatment such as The Fall from this year, which was a stand out edition.
Imprint – Their Neo Noir boxsets are something to covet. Releasing films that wouldn’t necessarily get a second glance.
USA – its hard to narrow the list down seeing as the Americans take their physical media seriously.
Vinegar Syndrome – as well as having their own label, this is a great place to pick up from other smaller indie distributors. Lots of horror and sub-genre films.
Fun City Editions – The one place you can get your hands on 90s classic Party Girl.
Korea
Plain Archive – Each limited edition they release is a work of art. Mainly Koeran films, but they have also released English language and French language films, Rust and Bone being a stand out release.
Hong Kong
Manta Lab – Focusing mainly on Hollywood and blockbuster films, they really do all out on artwork and presentation.
