This week, the original 1978 Halloween movie received a new collectible 4K Blu-ray edition. This new Limited Edition Steelbook is an Amazon exclusive, currently available for order at $45. Shout Factory is also releasing Amazon-exclusive Steelbook editions for Halloween II and Halloween III: Season of the Witch. The Halloween II 4K Steelbook is set to release on September 30, with Halloween III following on October 28.
Halloween (1978): Limited Edition Steelbook (4K)
The Limited Edition Steelbooks for Halloween I and Halloween II feature a detailed close-up of Michael Myers` face. One half of his face adorns the front cover, while the other is on the back, allowing for a full display when the case is opened. The design is reversible, maintaining its appeal from either side, and includes additional background artwork depicting scenes from the films. This 4K Blu-ray is the same edition meticulously restored by Shout Factory in 2021. The 4K disc supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, offering audio formats such as Dolby Digital Mono (replicating the original sound), Dolby Atmos, and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound. Cinematographer Dean Cundey approved the 4K restoration. Notably, this edition includes only one 4K Blu-ray and one standard Blu-ray disc, unlike the 2021 Shout Factory Collector`s Edition which had three discs (with the extended HD cut on the missing Blu-ray). Nevertheless, it still boasts a wealth of significant bonus features:
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Disc 1 (4K Blu-ray):
- Audio Commentary: John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis
- Audio Commentary: Dean Cundey (director of photography), Tommy Lee Wallace (editor), and Nick Castle (actor)
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Disc 2 (Blu-ray): (Based on the 4K restoration, including both audio commentaries)
- Documentary: The Night She Came Home
- TV Version Footage
- Theatrical Trailer
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
It`s worth noting that Walmart also recently released an exclusive 4K Blu-ray edition of Halloween (1978) for $27. While not a Steelbook, it comes with a slipcover, and its standard Blu-ray disc includes all the special features from the original Shout Factory release.
Halloween II (1981): Limited Edition Steelbook (4K)
The Halloween II Limited Edition Steelbook shares a similar design, with artwork extending across both the front and back of the case. Inside, additional illustrations draw inspiration from Halloween and Samhain—an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season. This three-disc set comprises a 4K Blu-ray, a 1080p Blu-ray, and a DVD, aligning with the 2021 Collector`s Edition in terms of bonus content and technical specifications. The 4K disc features native 4K resolution with Dolby Vision and HDR10 support. Cinematographer Dean Cundey approved the restoration from the original camera negative. Audio formats include Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1, Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0, and Dolby Digital Mono (for the DVD). Here’s a list of the special features for each disc:
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Disc 1 (4K Blu-ray):
- Audio Commentary: Rick Rosenthal (director) and Leo Rossi (actor)
- Audio Commentary: Dick Warlock (stunt coordinator)
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Disc 2 (Blu-ray): (Based on the 4K restoration, including both audio commentaries)
- Documentary: The Nightmare Isn`t Over – The Making of Halloween II
- Horror`s Hallowed Grounds
- Deleted Scenes with optional director commentary
- Alternate ending with optional director commentary
- Movie Stills Gallery
- Posters And Lobby Cards Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer
- Teaser Trailer
- TV Spots
- TV Promo
- Radio Spots
- Newspaper Ad Still Gallery By Drive-In Asylum
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Disc 3 (DVD):
- Television Cut in original SD aspect ratio (4:3)
- Film Script (DVD)
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982): Limited Edition Steelbook (4K)
Halloween III: Season of the Witch premiered just one year after its predecessor, yet the 1982 film significantly diverged from the series, being the only installment without Michael Myers. It`s not even a slasher film; as its title implies, Halloween III leans more into science fiction with elements of witchcraft. It was initially envisioned as the first entry in an anthology series. Upon its theatrical release, it garnered poor reviews, primarily due to comparisons with the Michael Myers slasher films. Although it`s part of the series in name only, it`s widely appreciated and enjoyed by many fans today, provided it`s viewed as a standalone work rather than an extension of the broader Halloween slasher franchise. The forthcoming Limited Edition Steelbook replicates the excellent 2021 Collector`s Edition from Shout Factory. Like the first two films, this features a superb native 4K restoration from the original camera negative, approved by cinematographer Dean Cundey, with Dolby Vision and HDR10 support. For audio, it offers Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound, and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The two-disc set includes a 4K Blu-ray and a 1080p Blu-ray. Here`s a list of bonus features:
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Disc 1 (4K Blu-ray):
- Audio Commentary: Tommy Lee Wallace (director)
- Audio Commentary: Tom Atkins (actor)
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Disc 2 (Blu-ray): (Based on the 4K restoration, including both commentaries)
- Documentary: Stand Alone: The Making Of Halloween III
- Horror’s Hallowed Grounds
- Interview With Tom Burman (make-up effects artist)
- Stills Gallery
- Theatrical Trailers
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
Exploring Other Halloween Series Releases
Beyond these exclusive Steelbooks, numerous other editions of the Halloween series are available. Shout Factory`s Collector`s Editions extend up to Halloween 5, encompassing The Return of Michael Myers and The Revenge of Michael Myers in 4K Blu-ray, which are also likely candidates for future Steelbook releases. Each of these Collector`s Editions includes a slipcover.
Halloween Series: 1978-1989 (Collector`s & Steelbook Editions)
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4K Blu-ray Collector`s Editions:
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Halloween (1978) – $25.89 (
$37) -
Halloween II (1981) – $29 (
$37) -
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) – $27.49 (
$37) -
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) – $27.56 (
$37) -
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) – $30 (
$37)
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Halloween (1978) – $25.89 (
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4K Blu-ray Steelbook Editions (Amazon Exclusives):
- Halloween (1978) – $45
- Halloween II (1981) – $45
- Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) – $45
Halloween Series: 1995-2002 (Box Sets)
Following The Revenge of Michael Myers, the series took another long hiatus before returning in 1995 with The Curse of Michael Myers, followed by Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) and Halloween: Resurrection (2002). These 1995-2002 films are gathered in box set formats across 4K Blu-ray, 1080p Blu-ray, and DVD. The box sets represent the primary method to acquire these three films on 4K at a reasonable cost, as standalone 4K editions (like Halloween H20 from 2023) are out of print, as are many individual Blu-ray and DVD releases.
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Halloween 1995-2002: 3-Movie Collections:
- 4K Blu-ray – $90.49 (
$130) - Blu-ray – $12.71
- DVD – $17
- 4K Blu-ray – $90.49 (
Halloween Series: 2018-2022 (Modern Trilogy)
The modern trilogy, which began in 2018, is also available in box set format on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD. Each collection includes: Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022). Each film from the modern trilogy is also offered as a standalone 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray combo pack. Interestingly, purchasing these three movies individually might be slightly more economical right now. It`s also worth noting that Halloween (2018) is available on standard Blu-ray with a Steelbook case for just $12. The Halloween 2-Movie Collection, featuring the original 1978 film and its direct 2018 sequel, is available on Blu-ray for $23.
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Halloween Trilogy: 2018-2022 Collections:
- 4K Blu-ray – $55 (
$80) - Blu-ray – $21 (
$25) - DVD – $13 (
$25)
- 4K Blu-ray – $55 (
-
Halloween Trilogy: 4K Blu-ray Standalone Editions:
-
Halloween (2018) – $12.49 (
$30) -
Halloween Kills: Extended Cut (2021) – $14.73 (
$34) -
Halloween Ends: Collector’s Edition (2022) – $23 (
$34)
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Halloween (2018) – $12.49 (
Rob Zombie`s Halloween Films: 2007-2009
Rob Zombie`s remakes from 2007 and 2009, while not canonical, are certainly worth exploring. Unfortunately, both films are exclusively available on 1080p Blu-ray.
- Halloween (2007): Unrated Collector`s Edition (Blu-ray) – $18
- Rob Zombie`s Halloween 1 + 2: Double Feature (Blu-ray) – $25
- Rob Zombie`s Halloween 1 & 2 Ultimate Edition (Blu-ray) – $44