Must-Have Collector's Editions You Can't Miss in 2025: 4K Restorations, Steelbooks & More
Physical media is so back (it never really left though) and it's better than ever! In 2025, film collectors and cinephiles are being treated to an exceptional lineup of deluxe reissues, box sets, 4K restorations and steelbooks that breathe new life into legendary titles. From legendary Japanese cinema to controversial British drama and Hollywood classics to iconic horror, these upcoming collector’s editions are more than just movies- they’re whole experiences, complete with behind-the-scenes extras, new premium packaging, and exclusive content. Whether you're a Blu-ray enthusiast, swear by 4K Ultra HD, or a SteelBook seeker, this is your ultimate guide to the most exciting must-own collector’s releases landing on shelves this year!
The Hidden Fortress (1958, dir. Akira Kurosawa)
Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress is a must-own title for any serious collector of classic Japanese film, or classic film, or any serious collector of film in general. As Kurosawa’s work and career consistently was, The Hidden Fortress is renowned in many ways, and its influence is clear and cited everywhere. Told from the perspective of two bumbling peasants, this period adventure famously influenced George Lucas’s Star Wars, making it a cornerstone of cinematic history.
Its vast landscapes, dynamic action and stunning cinematography are best appreciated in the highest, crispiest of physical formats, and the upcoming 4K edition by BFI promises a masterful remaster, bonus footage, insightful commentaries, documentaries and rare archival materials. There’s a booklet, commentary by Tony Rayns (Japanese cinema expert), the documentaries comprise of: 'Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: Hidden Fortress' (2002), and an interview with George Lucas, plus trailers. The upcoming 4K (and Blu-ray!) editions of The Hidden Fortress are essential additions to any physical media collection!
Scum (1979, dir. Alan Clarke)
1979’s Scum directed by Alan Clarke, remains one of the most powerful and controversial British films ever made. A brutal exposé of life inside a youth detention centre (or a borstal), Scum was originally filmed for television but deemed too violent and withdrawn from the broadcast. It was reworked two years later as a movie and the TV version was eventually allowed to be aired eight years later in 1991.
With its raw and unapologetically harsh depiction of institutional violence and a career-defining performance for a young Ray Winstone, Scum cemented itself as a cult classic. For collectors of UK cinema and gritty 1970s cult movies, the upcoming 88 Films edition is exactly what you’ve been looking for! With bonus footage, commentary by Troy Howarth and Eugenio Ercolani, and Kim Newman and Sean Hogan. Plus an image gallery, interviews with multiple members of the cast and crew, Survival Rules OK video essay and trailers.
Sunset Boulevard (1950, dir. Billy Wilder)
Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard is a dark, elegant Hollywood noir that stands as one of the most iconic films ever made about the film industry itself, one of the most influential films of all time, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest of all time. With Gloria Swanson’s haunting performance as the faded silent film star Norma Desmond, and William Holden as the desperate screenwriter caught in her deranged world where she makes a triumphant return, this film is a masterclass in so many ways from storytelling, atmosphere and characterization. is a staple of cinematic history that demands a place on any collector’s shelf; not just for its narrative brilliance, but for its deep commentary on fame, aging, and the golden age of cinema.
The new 75th Anniversary Limited Collector’s Edition by Paramount Home Entertainment is a treasure box of goodies for film fans. Packed bonus footage, deleted scenes, documentaries, image gallery, 4 x collectible Paramount original lobby cards; Billy Wilder director/trivia card; Reproduction of Norma's note; Capacity wallet designed like the script; collectible street sign; 2 x fold-out posters; 6 x art cards and photo book!
Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979, dir. Werner Herzog)
With Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu starring Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, Nicholas Hoult, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson reigniting buzz around both the Dracula character and the gothic horror genre, BFI invites us to revisit Werner Herzog’s haunting 1979 classic Nosferatu the Vampyre.
Herzog’s version is a gothic horror masterpiece that bridges the silent-era dread of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 original with Herzog’s own poetic, nightmarish vision. Starring Klaus Kinski in a chilling but sombre and wholly unforgettable performance as Count Dracula, this version is steeped in atmosphere, existential despair, and of course, haunting visuals. A cornerstone of German New Wave horror, this version is both an homage and a reinvention to the German Expressionist masterpiece that came before it.
The upcoming 4K restoration of Nosferatu the Vampyre offers not only the film in ultra-HD but also bonus footage, commentary by Werner Herzog himself, an on-set documentary, image gallery and trailers- making it a must for any serious horror collection!
28 Days Later (2002, dir. Danny Boyle)
With Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reuniting this year for 28 Years Later, there has never been a better time to revisit the movie that started it all, and redefined the zombie genre. Whilst it technically doesn’t feature zombies in the literal sense- that is people who have died coming back to life, 28 Days Later has influenced your favourite zombie movies and post-apocalyptic series; everything from The Walking Dead to modern survival thrillers. It also proved how human these stories can be, above just being about the horror. Featuring breakout performances from Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris, the film's bleak vision of an empty, post-apocalyptic London became instantly iconic and it ushered in a new era of horror.
The film was famously absent from physical media and even streaming for a number of years, but now fans can finally add it to their shelves in the form of the upcoming 4K release which also features a shiny steelbook! It’s an essential upgrade (or a first-time buy) for fans of horror, British cinema or Cillian Muprhy (we know there are a lot of you… I mean, us), 28 Days Later isn’t just a zombie movie but a landmark in modern cinema.
As streaming platforms shift and rotate their catalogues, there’s never been a better time to invest in the staples of your physical media collection. These editions are more than just filmic pick-ups, but they’re cultural artefacts and pieces of history- built to last. Whether you're expanding your personal library or shopping for the perfect gift, don’t miss your chance to own these definitive editions of cinema's greatest works. Explore our full range of new and upcoming collector’s editions at Rarewaves!
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