As October rolls on, so do the incredible new releases that are hitting Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD. We think you’ll love the assortment of titles — everything from blockbusters to horror films to TV releases to holiday favorites and beyond — that are now available. Here we go!
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
It’s a new generation’s hoops superstar, but the same brand of fun, as LeBron James tours the WB studio–only to have his computer-savvy son Dom (Cedric Joe) pulled into the company server by a malicious AI (Don Cheadle). To get him back, the King will have to team with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the rest of the reunited Tune Squad for a winner-takes-all game against all-star avatars of the NBA and WNBA’s best, in this cameo-packed live-action/animation mix.
Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection (4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray)
Packed with special features, this eight-disc set includes Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Invisible Man (1933), The Wolf Man (1941).
This collection of TV omnibus drama series performances from Paul Newman starts off with the 1955 “Appointment with Adventure” episode “Five in Judgment,” where a pair of college kid hitchhikers (Newman, Jeff Harris) seeks shelter from the elements in a diner–and are too swiftly fingered for a local murder by the occupants. With Jack Lord, Patricia Breslin, James Gregory, Henry Hull. Then, a garment district laborer (Newman) rallies his peers against the mob after his manufacturer dad (Silvio Minciotti) gets beaten up, in the 1956 “Kaiser Aluminum Hour” entry “The Rag Jungle.” Lastly, “The Army Game”–another “Kaiser Aluminum Hour” episode from ’56–follows an indolent soldier (Newman) whose angling for a discharge brings anger and reprisal from his barracks mates. With George Grizzard, Edward Andrews, Sydney Pollack.
Halloween (Collector’s Edition)(4K Ultra HD)(1978)
John Carpenter’s groundbreaking shocker that opened the floodgates for hundreds of imitators stills packs a scare-raising punch. Fifteen years after being placed in an asylum for killing his sister on Halloween, maniacal Michael Myers escapes and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, in search of new victims. Jamie Lee Curtis (her film debut), Donald Pleasence, Nancy Loomis, and P.J. Soles star.
Chateau Christmas (2020)
Looking to put some tour disasters in the rearview mirror, classical pianist Margot Hammond (Merritt Patterson) was happy for the holiday break with her family at a splendid chateau. She won’t be getting too comfortable, as the hotel’s famous Christmas concert looks to be falling apart–and manager Adam (Jesse Hutch) turns to best bud/music professor Jackson (Luke Macfarlane)–who’s also Margot’s ex. Julia Benson, Jessica Steen also star.
The Christmas House (2020)
TV star Mike Mitchell (Robert Buckley) was sweating his series renewal when his mom and dad (Sharon Lawrence, Treat Williams) were adamant he get home for the holidays. Between the folks’ efforts to fix him up with divorced high school flame Andi (Ana Ayora), his baker brother Brandon (Jonathan Bennett) anxious about adoption with husband Jake (Brad Harder), and the parents’ own bombshell to drop, there’ll be plenty of drama under the tree!
On the 12th Date of Christmas (2020)
Jockeying for the same promotion at their Chicago firm that designs corporate team-building and promotional scavenger hunts, partnered-on-the-fly Jennifer Holloway (Mallory Jansen) and Aiden Walsh (Tyler Hynes) sell the new client on a date-night game centered on the city’s most treasured holiday locations. Will the rocky alliance have them discovering something they hadn’t planned on? Clare Filipow, Cherissa Richards, Ian Collins also star.
Angel on My Shoulder (1946)
Witty fantasy comedy that plays like the flip side of “Here Comes Mr. Jordan” (and scripted by that film’s writer). Gangster Eddie Kagle (Paul Muni), killed by his double-crossing partner, comes back to Earth for revenge after making a deal with the Devil (“Mr. Jordan’s” Claude Rains). But will old Satan get more than he bargained for as his plan for Kagle’s soul to inhabit a lookalike judge’s body so he can ruin his good name starts to backfire? Anne Baxter, Onslow Stevens co-star.
Trick or Treats (1982)
It was shaping up to be a lousy Halloween when Linda (Jacqueline Giroux) agreed to babysit for her pal Joan (Carrie Snodgress), who’d landed a last-minute Vegas gig with her magician second husband (David Carradine). Bad enough that the kid (Chris Graver) is an inveterate prankster…but his homicidally insane dad (Peter Jason) just broke out of the asylum, and is looking to re-establish custody. Cult shocker also stars Steve Railsback, Paul Bartel, Catherine Coulson.
Right in Front of Me (2021)
While weekending at an upscale hotel, bridal designer Carly Mason (Janel Parrish) discovered that the place was also hosting a wedding party comprised of her college class’s cool kids–including unrequited crush Matt Harper (Anthony Konechny). Finding a charming sounding board in kitchen sous chef Nick Rivera (Marco Grazzini), she tries to work up the nerve to connect, but is the right guy…? Winning Hallmark romance co-stars Brandi Alexander, Hilary Jardine, Lindsay Winch.
Naked Singularity (2021)
Burnt-out NYC public defender Casi (John Boyega) got a return call from an old client–tow yard clerk Lea (Olivia Cooke), popped for her part in a scheme involving the sale of millions in heroin that had been packed in an impounded SUV. The counselor holds his advice thanks to corrupt colleague Dane (Bill Skarsgård), who gulls him into stealing the cash for themselves. Caper comedy adapted from the Sergio De La Pava novel co-stars Ed Skrein, Linda Lavin, Kyle Mooney.
Six Minutes to Midnight (2020)
Britain, August 1939: At the Augusta Victoria School–a seaside boarding institution catering to the daughters of the German elite–one of the teachers vanished. Hired replacement Thomas Miller (Eddie Izzard, who co-wrote) proved to be a government spy, sent to block the girls’ repatriation if hostilities broke out…but he’d find his own peril when framed for murder by persons unknown. Fact-inspired thriller co-stars Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Carla Juri, James D’Arcy.
The Nevers: Season 1 Part 1 (2021)
London, 1896: An inexplicable phenomenon caused a segment of the populace–primarily women–to manifest strange supernormal abilities. The now-clairvoyant Amalia True (Laura Donnelly) established a sanctuary for those affected, or “The Touched,” and spearheaded the emerging struggle with societal elements out to harm or exploit them. Evocative HBO fantasy series also stars Ann Skelly, Olivia Williams, James Norton, Tom Riley, Pip Torrens, Denis O’Hare, Rochelle Neil, Amy Manson. 6 episodes on 2 discs.
The Victim (1972)
Kate Wainwright (Elizabeth Montgomery) wanted to bring moral support to her sister Susan (Jess Walton) upon the news that her marriage was faltering, and hopped in the car for Susan’s large, remote country home. Upon her nighttime arrival, it was bad enough to discover that a storm had knocked out the power…wait until she discovers that Susan’s been murdered…and that the killer’s still lurking. Creepy telefilm also stars Eileen Heckart, George Maharis, Sue Ane Langdon.
Scream, Pretty Peggy (1973)
College student Peggy Johns (Sian Barbara Allen) needed the cash, and readily took a housekeeping job at the foreboding estate of sculptor Jeffrey Elliot (Ted Bessell) and his reclusive dipsomaniac mother (Bette Davis). She had second thoughts after learning her predecessor had disappeared….and that Jeffrey’s supposedly-abroad sister (Christiane Schmidtmer) was locked above the garage. Well-remembered made-for-TV stunner co-stars Charles Drake, Allan Arbus, Tovah Feldshuh.
The Screaming Woman (1972)
While laying low in Mexico, outlaw Brendan O’Malley (Kirk Douglas) looks up an old flame (Dorothy Malone) and opts to join her husband (Joseph Cotten) on a cattle drive to Texas. Unfortunately, another hand’s just signed on–incognito lawman Dana Stribling (Rock Hudson)–who’s out to grab O’Malley on a warrant the minute they’re over the border. Robert Aldrich’s muscular oater co-stars Carol Lynley, Neville Brand, Regis Toomey.
Clarice: Season One (2021)
The further foreboding case files of Thomas Harris’ novice FBI profiler fuel this stunning spin-off series that bowed on CBS. In the wake of the events of “The Silence of the Lambs,” Clarice Starling (Rebecca Breeds) gets reluctantly reassigned to the newly formed Violent Criminal Apprehension Program tasked with tackling sexual predators and serial killers. Michael Cudlitz, Kal Penn, Lucca De Oliveira, Nick Sandow, Devyn A. Tyler, Marnee Carpenter, and Jayne Atkinson also star. 13 episodes on 4 discs.
The Stand (2020)
After a viral plague decimated 99% of the world’s population, a few survivors felt themselves compelled for pilgrimages to either the Boulder compound of wise centenarian Mother Abagail Freemantle (Whoopi Goldberg)…or the Vegas stronghold of cruelly charismatic Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård). Expansive second take on Stephen King’s apocalyptic chiller co-stars Greg Kinnear, James Marsden, J.K. Simmons, Amber Heard, Heather Graham, Odessa Young.
Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries: Season 2 (2021)
This ‘60s-set spin-off of the popular Australian Jazz Age-era detective show stars Geraldine Hakewell as mod Melbourne adventuress Peregrine Fisher, who inherited the estate of her estimable Aunt Phryne–to say nothing of her knacks for sleuthing and high style. Joel Jackson, Catherine McClements, James Mason, Toby Truslove also star. 8 episodes on 2 discs.
Dark Shadows and Beyond: The Jonathan Frid Story (2021)
In 1967, veteran Canadian stage performer Jonathan Frid was poised to teach acting in L.A. when he won a role on a struggling daytime soap. His performance as vampire Barnabas Collins would swiftly pump new blood into “Dark Shadows,” and make him a pop culture fixture for that era and beyond. This robust overview of Frid’s life and career offers up rare performance footage, archival interviews, and observations of “Dark Shadows” castmates and other friends and collaborators.
Elvira’s Haunted Hills (Collector’s Edition)(2001)
The curvy queen of camp returns in this hilarious horror spoof. While traveling through Romania on her way to Paris in 1851, Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) ends up as the houseguest at a ghostly mansion owned by the delectably creepy Lord Vladimere Hellsubus (Richard O’Brien). Imagine everyone’s surprise when it turns out Elvira is a dead (well, hopefully not) ringer for Hellsubus’ late wife. Mary Scheer, Scott Atkinson, Heather Hopper, Mary Jo Smith co-star.
Designated Survivor: The Complete Series
Kiefer Sutherland stars as Tom Kirkman, a lower-level cabinet member who is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack on the US Capitol during the State of the Union. In this dramatic thriller, Kirkman will struggle to keep the country and his own family from falling apart, while navigating the highly-volatile political arena and while leading the search to find who is responsible for the attack.
Tex Avery Screwball Classics, Vol. 3
Droopy, Red and the Wolf, Screwy Squirrel and the other cracked cartoon creations of Tex Avery return in another great collection of ‘40s-’50s M-G-M animation. Twenty-one shorts–including “Happy-Go-Nutty” (1944), “Swing Shift Cinderella” (1945), “Wild and Woolfy” (1945), “King-Size Canary” (1948), “Senor Droopy” (1949), “Little ‘Tinker” (1948), “Rock-a-Bye Bear” (1952), and “Billy Boy” (1954)–are collected here. 21 cartoons on 1 disc.
This Is Francis X. Bushman (2021)
His virile presence made him a demanded screen lead from the early teens until the twilight of the silents, yet precious little of this output survives today. The life and career of Francis X. Bushman receive a compelling consideration in this documentary featuring copious materials from the family archives, including surviving footage and audio recordings from Bushman himself.
Christmas in Vienna (2020)
In Vienna for the first time on a holiday concert, touring-weary violinist Jess Waters (Sarah Drew) opted to look up her bestie, diplomat’s nanny Tori (Alina Fritsch)–and got directions from handsome if guarded American Mark Olsen (Brennan Elliott). When circumstances caused Tori to seek help with her three motherless charges, she introduced Jess to her boss–who turned out to be Mark! Will they find themselves in harmony? Allegra Tinnefeld, Abigail Vollnhofer also star.
Love, Lights, Hannukah! (2021)
Gamely getting through her first holiday season since her adoptive mom’s passing, Italian restaurateur Christina Rossi (Mia Kirshner) got back a genetic test showing her to be half Jewish. Agreeing to a meet with DNA match/deli owner Becky Berman (Advah Soudack), Christina’s overwhelmed by the truth about her birth mother (Marilu Henner)–and it surprisingly takes the kind attention of acerbic food critic David Singer (Ben Savage) to help her confront it. Brandi Alexander co-stars.
Holly & Ivy (2020)
Having moved into a fixer-upper for a job that fell through, handy Melody Knapp (Janel Parrish) decided to stay on–and made fast friends of new neighbor Nina (Marisol Nichols) and her young daughters Holly (Sadie Coleman) and Ivy (Piper Rubio). Coming to learn of Nina’s precarious health, she resolved to turn her place into a fit future home for the girls…with the help of kind contractor Adam (Jeremy Jordan), in this seasonal Hallmark heart-tugger.
Fried Barry (2020)
For once in his misspent life, someone had a use for abusive, aggressive Cape Town junkie Barry (Gary Green). Unfortunately, that someone was space aliens who beamed him up, probed him–and returned him with an extraterrestrial piloting his body! The possessed lowlife’s taken on an uncanny and unsavory joyride through all the decadence life on Earth has to offer, in this outrageous fantasy farce from South Africa; Chanelle de Jager, Genevieve Tanya Detering, Joey Cramer co-star.
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021)
Having survived the sadistic tests of the Minos Corporation, Zoey (Taylor Russell) and Ben (Logan Miller) journeyed to Manhattan in search of the company’s headquarters…and payback. Bad move, as it only trapped them back in their tormentors’ clutches–along with four individuals who’d barely escaped their own encounters with Minos–and not everyone will be lucky a second time. Fear-filled follow-up co-stars Holland Roden, Indya Moore,Thomas Cocquerel, Carlito Olivero.
Take the 1968 George Romero-John Russo screenplay, get an all-star voice cast to perform it, and then animate the scenario with gruesome visuals (including some scenes not found in the original), and you’ve got a horror-packed homage to “Night of the Living Dead” unlike any that have gone before. With the voices of Katharine Isabelle, Dulé Hill, Josh Duhamel, James Roday Rodriguez, Katee Sackhoff, Will Sasso, Jimmi Simpson, and Nancy Travis.
Onibaba (Criterion Collection)(1964)
Genuinely scary fantasy set in feudal Japan, where a widowed peasant woman and her mother-in-law survive by luring soldiers away from their comrades and slaying them for their armor, until a man comes between them. Kaneto Shindô’s violent and eerie film caused a sensation in its first stateside release. Nobuko Otawa, Jitsuko Yoshimura star.
UFO (2021)
From executive producer J.J. Abrams comes this fascinating four-part Showtime documentary series that explores the idea that we might not be alone in the universe, a belief that was lent unprecedented credence in the wake of a 2017 New York Times story that established that the Pentagon has investigated UFOs. In addition to several UFO sightings, the show also looks at the government’s role in keeping the truth from being revealed. 4 episodes on 2 discs.
Click here for a complete overview of all of this week’s new releases.