The Amazon-exclusive 4K Blu-ray Steelbook edition of The Long Walk is now available for preorder. This highly anticipated release, priced at $35, has quickly become a bestseller, attracting significant attention from Stephen King fans. Given the film`s popularity and the collector`s appeal of a Steelbook, particularly one featuring unique artwork, it`s expected to sell out rapidly.
Film Adaptation Highlights
This dystopian thriller is celebrated as one of the most highly-rated film adaptations of Stephen King`s works by critics, holding an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Francis Lawrence and written by JT Mollner, the film boasts an ensemble cast including Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill.
The Exclusive 4K Steelbook
The Limited Edition Steelbook includes 4K Blu-ray, 1080p Blu-ray, and digital versions of the movie. Its captivating design features Mark Hamill`s character, the Major, on the front, with contestants` dog tags on the back. A transparent sleeve adds an interactive element: with the sleeve on, the Major`s sunglasses reflect the young men walking; when removed, the reflection vanishes. The interior artwork depicts the contestants on their grueling walk, pursued by a tank. Fans can also anticipate behind-the-scenes content, HDR support, and surround sound.
The Novel`s Historic Hardcover Release
The Long Walk marks the third Stephen King adaptation set for release in 2025 and is the first among them to receive a Steelbook Edition. Coinciding with the film`s release, Scribner is publishing the first standalone hardcover edition of King`s original 1979 novel on October 7. This is a significant event for collectors, as The Long Walk was initially published under King`s pseudonym, Richard Bachman, and was only available in paperback for decades. The Bachman novels were later collected in a hardcover anthology in 1985, but a standalone hardcover has never been widely available until now.
Beyond The Long Walk: Other King Adaptations
For those interested in collecting King`s work, a standalone hardcover edition of The Running Man, another novel originally penned by Bachman, is also available for preorder, releasing October 14. This comes ahead of a new film adaptation of The Running Man starring Glen Powell and directed by Edgar Wright, set to premiere November 7, promising a more faithful rendition of the source material than the 1987 adaptation.
Other Stephen King adaptations slated for 2025 include The Life of Chuck, a fantasy drama directed by Mike Flanagan, and The Monkey, a horror-comedy directed by Osgood Perkins. The Monkey received a standard 4K Blu-ray release in June, while The Life of Chuck 4K Blu-ray edition is available for preorder, releasing September 30.
Stephen King Films in 4K Blu-ray
Beyond new releases, several older film adaptations of King`s stories have been remastered and re-released in 4K Blu-ray this year. Notable examples include The Dead Limited Edition Steelbook, an Amazon exclusive released in June, The Dark Half, which saw a 4K restoration in July, and Creepshow 2, arriving as a Limited Edition later this month. Many classic King films, such as The Shining, It, Misery, and The Shawshank Redemption, are also widely available in stunning 4K Blu-ray.