Unfortunately, there are a lot of truly terrible horror films out there in the world. Because they’re so inexpensive to produce and so easy to turn a profit on, there are a ton of horror movies made, and most of them are abysmal and unforgettable. However, there are a few bright, shining stars in the horror movie genre that elevate the reputation of all horror movies.
Certain horror films are must-see movies for pretty much anybody, and some horror classics are worth repeat viewings. But some movies are worth the price to own them permanently, and a few horror movies have some pretty exceptional Blu-Ray/DVD releases. So here are 10 classic horror films that are worth their Blu-Ray price.
Jaws
Jaws is inarguably one of the most recognizable and universally adored horror movies ever made, and the movie magic that director Steven Spielberg made into a reality was so amazing that it’s still legendary today. And unsurprisingly, this phenomenal movie features an even more phenomenal Blu-Ray release.
In addition to the film itself, the Blu-Ray features over a dozen featurettes that pretty much lay out every single aspect of the film’s production and release. The movie is an essential viewing for any horror and general film fan, and the Blu-Ray version of the film is essential owning for any Jaws fan.
The Silence Of The Lambs
If anyone is unfamiliar with the Criterion Collection, we’d advise you to familiarize yourself right away. But the Criterion Collection Blu-Ray/DVD of The Silence of the Lambs is a truly exceptional edition of this truly exceptional movie.
It’s pretty much impossible to improve on the perfection that The Silence of the Lambs already was, but the digital restoration and more than half an hour’s worth of deleted scenes definitely make this a Blu-Ray worth its price. And of course, the audio commentary featuring director Jonathan Demme along with lead stars and living legends Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster is illuminating.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
As far as Blu-Ray editions of classic horror movies go, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a relatively bare-bones release. Although the DVD is pretty light on actual features, seeing the film in all of it’s remastered glory is really something to behold.
Many would assume that since the original movie was so intentionally lo-fi that a digital cleanup of the visuals and sound would be a waste of time, but it actually makes the movie even scarier. And it’s worth the price if only to see some outtakes, that will once and for all prove to you that this isn’t just a documentary about a bunch of crazy cannibals.
Alien
Alien is a horror and science fiction movie that feels like it has almost been elevated beyond classic status. This isn’t just a beloved horror movie, it’s arguably one of the most iconic and memorable movies ever made, and moments in this film are some of the most recognizable scenes ever filmed.
But like many great films, the auteur of Alien, Ridley Scott, would go back and make changes if he would. And that is exactly why the Blu-Ray DVD, which features both the original cut and the later director’s cut, is a pretty essential addition to any horror movie collection.
The Exorcist
It may come as a surprise since The Exorcist is now one of the most iconic and universally loved horror films of all time, but the making of the film and the final edit that the world saw didn’t go very easily and smoothly.
As a result of this, the Blu-Ray DVD of The Exorcist actually has two versions of the film, the theatrical cut as well as the remastered director’s cut. And The Exorcist was a film that was very reliant on a lot of clever film trickery, so the featurettes explaining how exactly they did what they did are fascinating.
Get Out
A movie doesn’t have to be old in order to be considered a classic, and no horror movie demonstrates that fact more clearly than Get Out. Although Jordan Peele’s feature film directorial debut is only a few years old, it was astoundingly clear that Get Out was a classic horror film from literally the day it was released.
Because the movie is so new, the special features on the DVD are pretty rich, and since the film is such a unique perspective and fresh take on the entire horror genre, it is more than worth it to hear Jordan Peele’s own words and insights into the creation of his film.
The Shining
Director Stanley Kubrick was absolutely notorious for his strict filmmaking style and his insane attention to detail, which is obviously why his only foray into horror filmmaking, The Shining, still manages to be arguably the best horror movie ever made.
If anyone considers themselves a horror fan it’s absurd to imagine that they don’t already own this film, but the extras that come along with the Blu-Ray DVD make it worth the purchase. There are quite a few featurettes about different aspects of the film’s production, and it also includes a documentary about the making of the movie too.
The Witch
The Witch is yet another horror flick that became an instant classic the moment that it was released, and this truly unique film. Everything about the movie is truly spectacular, but despite being a small independent movie on a pretty small budget, the cinematography for the movie is absolutely stunning.
Many horror movies don’t pay a lot of attention to the actual look of the film, but The Witch does the exact opposite. The time for anyone to see the movie in theaters has obviously already passed, so watching the movie in the highest definition possible is the next best option.
The Thing
John Carpenter’s The Thing wasn’t initially as appreciated as it deserved to be when it was first released, but time has been very kind to the film and it’s now firmly established as a legit horror movie classic.
And seeing the movie with improved visuals makes a Blu-Ray purchase understandable enough, but the extras on the collector’s edition of The Thing offer a lot of genuinely interesting extras that offer insight into one of the most impressive horror movies ever made. The Thing came out in the era before truly good special effects were easy, so hearing the filmmakers explain how the movie was made is fascinating.
Let The Right One In
There are a lot of different reasons why anyone wants to buy a specific movie on Blu-Ray, but there is no horror movie on earth that is more worthy of high-definition repeated viewings than Let the Right One In.
Let the Right One In is a Swedish horror film about a child vampire and her human friend, and aside from being one of the best horror movies ever made, it’s one of the most astonishingly beautiful movies ever made too. The dark, wintry setting of this film is one of the most striking landscapes imaginable, and it only looks more gorgeous in hi-def.
