If you're a sci-fi and fantasy fan who still collects top-end Blu-ray sets, Arrow Video is your place to go.
Many folks may prefer streaming for movies, yet there’s still a market for physical Blu-ray sets. That's become more popular with streaming services dropping some movies or shows without warning, so people want a physical copy to own. There’s still the pull of Blu-ray in how some sets can add scores of extra features to enhance the release, such as Criterion.
Arrow Video has become famous as basically the “Criterion for geeks.” Their library has grown to handle various genres of cult movies, action films, sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and more. They can go from Hollywood blockbusters to lesser-known international fare, but what makes Arrow Video special is the care they put into every release.
They not only restore every film to pristine condition (especially for 4K sets) but also pack every release with fantastic extras, some from earlier releases combined with brand new interviews, features, commentaries, and more. An Arrow Video set is almost always a must-buy, and for fans of sci-fi and fantasy, these 20 sets are among the best you can get.
Dark City
Butchered by its studio and largely ignored upon its 1998 release, Dark City is now regarded as a pioneer in sci-fi thrills. It found its audience on DVD and Blu-ray with Arrow presenting both the theatrical and far superior director’s cut, both in pristine 4K. That brings the mind-bending tale of a city that constantly transforms amid spectacular imagery more beautiful than ever. They also keep the audio commentary by Roger Ebert while offering new commentaries by director Alex Proyas and others.
The best reason to upgrade is Return to Dark City, an over-hour-long documentary on the movie and its legacy, with many of the stars and crew sharing insight. There are also a couple of video essays on the movie’s look and style, making this the best presentation yet for a film ahead of its time.
Dune (1984)
While the recent Dune movies are smash hits, to many, David Lynch’s 1984 version is still a must-watch. While a failure in its time that Lynch himself disliked, the film stands as the first attempt to tackle the sci-fi epic and did a better job than its reputation suggests. The Arrow Video set showcases that with a fine presentation that retains the earlier sets’ commentaries and extensive “making of” documentaries.
The new entries to this set include a fascinating look at the movie’s merchandise, the musical score, interviews with various crew members, and a great box set artwork. Thus, if you want to enjoy Lynch’s mad genius unleashed on the Dune property, this is your best bet.
Flash Gordon
The epitome of a cult classic, this 1980 film has achieved a massive following in the last 45 years. The campy style, the wild art direction and costumes, the astounding cast, Brian Blessed yelling every other line, a young Timothy Dalton, and of course the rock score by Queen make this a must-watch all on its own. Now it has a Blu-ray set finally deserving of it.
Besides audio commentaries from Blessed and director Mike Hodges, there’s a new look at the never-made version of the film, brand new interviews with cast and crew, special anecdotes, and the documentary Life After Flash detailing what star Sam J. Jones has been up to since its release. All this and a separate CD with the Queen soundtrack to make anyone yell out “Gordon’s Alive!”
The Last Starfighter
A pioneer in CGI effects, this 1984 sci-fi fantasy still looks gorgeous, especially in Arrow’s new 4K set. The tale of a video game expert recruited into a real galactic war also succeeds thanks to the outstanding cast, notably Robert Preston stealing every scene as con man Centauri. There have been a few releases before, yet Arrow adds more to the pile.
That includes the previous pair of making-of documentaries featuring everyone involved, new interviews, and features on composer Craig Safan, the effects, a trio of audio commentaries, and a celebration of one of the most beloved sci-fi films of the 1980s.
Waterworld
30 years after its release as a box office failure, Kevin Costner’s futuristic tale has found redemption with audiences. The setting of a future Earth flooded by global warming is more timely now than it was in 1995. The Arrow set includes the extended TV and international cuts, which contain additional scenes to flesh out the story and lend it more weight.
The must-watch of the set is “Into the Maelstrom," an incredible 100-minute documentary on the movie, its many on-set problems, and its legacy. There’s also a look at other disaster films amid a few other extras, yet it’s the documentary and cuts that add to this movie’s already stormy legend.
12 Monkeys
Another 1995 sci-fi film more admired today, Terry Gilliam’s mind-bending time-travel film was also a bit ahead of its time in terms of plot. After a virus kills 99% of the human race, a convict (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to find out how it happened. This is the start of a dizzying journey that makes you unsure what is real or not, and some wild turns.
The picture is a great improvement in 4K with older extras of a Gilliam commentary and a 90-minute documentary on the film. Added on is a great interview with Gilliam, among other extras. It’s not as big on the bonus material as other Arrow sets, yet it has to be a must-buy for those who missed this sci-fi classic.
Pitch Black/The Chronicles of Riddick
Before The Fast and the Furious, Vin Diesel broke out with Pitch Black. He was sensational as Riddick, a convict who can see in the dark and among the passengers of a ship that crashes on a remote moon. He turns out to be the only one who can help everyone survive the vicious creatures living there when an eclipse happens.
The Arrow set contains some older material alongside new interviews with director and co-writer David Twohy, along with numerous cast members and the special effects crew.
The 2004 sequel went bigger for less entertaining results, yet still has some great action, and Diesel is compelling in the lead. The extras here are more prominent, highlighted by a feature-length documentary on the film, new interviews with the cast, the longer (and better) director’s cut, commentaries with Twohy, Diesel, Karl Urban, and others, and cinematics from the fantastic 2004 Escape From Butcher Bay video game.
Even if you don’t love the movies, the care Arrow Video takes with these sets has to be admired.
Shop Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick.
Barbarella
Jane Fonda may be regarded as a two-time Oscar winner and noted activist, yet many will remember her for this mind-blowing 1968 camp classic. It feels like a fever dream with a plot that makes little sense, bizarre visuals, some sexy content, and somehow Fonda holding it all together as one of the hottest female space heroines put on screen.
Arrow gives the movie a worthy Blu-ray 4K set with numerous new interviews and appreciations of the movie, especially its score and the lavish costumes, along with a nearly two-hour talk on the film by superfans Tim Lucas and Steve Bissette. Again, it’s not the easiest movie to grasp, yet the Arrow set honors a sci-fi groundbreaker.
Legend
Somehow overlooked in the film resumes of Ridley Scott and Tom Cruise, this 1985 fantasy tale gets its due via Arrow. The movie wasn’t a huge success in its time, yet it has a nice vibe to it with lush direction, some gorgeous visuals, and a nearly unrecognizable Tim Curry as the demonic villain.
The Arrow set has both the theatrical cut and the longer (and better) director’s cut. There are also two making-of documentaries, one old and one new, audio commentaries on both cuts, features on the creatures and setting, and more. It really is a legendary set that marks this film as a lost gem of Scott’s work and shines better on Arrow Video.
Demolition Man
While this movie was a hit in 1993, the last three decades have seen it gain even more popularity, mainly due to its eerily prescient nature. The basic plotline is a vicious criminal (Wesley Snipes) frozen for decades, thawed out in a utopian future San Angeles. Unable to handle violence, the cops unfreeze a 1990s lawman (Sylvester Stallone) to fight him.
The movie itself is exceptional in its satire of a politically correct landscape that’s sharper today. The Arrow set has two new audio commentaries by the director and screenwriter who reflect on the movie’s legacy and themes. The new features also explore that, including a wild one linking action movies to The Wizard of Oz. Whether you love action, sci-fi, or satire, you'll enjoy this film (even if you still wonder what the deal is with the seashells).
The Cell
Some movies hit on ideas that really are ahead of their time. Such a case is with this 2000 drama, as the FBI nearly captures a deadly serial killer (Vincent D’Onofrio) only for him to be injured and put into a coma before he can give up the location of his latest kidnapped victim. Jennifer Lopez is a scientist using a radical device to enter the killer’s mind to find the victim, leading to some mind-bending hallucinogenic journeys.
The new set is in sharp 4K to let those bizarre visuals pop better than before. It comes with some new essays on the movie’s development, the creation, the costumes, and more. This is one time a movie’s “style over substance” works, and this set makes The Cell an arresting watch.
Conan The Barbarian/Conan the Destroyer
The movies that made Arnold Schwarzenegger an international star are also the best representation of one of the greatest names in fantasy literature. Arnie is the only choice for the Cimmerian slave turned warrior who seeks revenge against his family's killer (a terrific James Earl Jones). The Arrow set has three different cuts of the film with brand new interviews of everyone from writers to set designers to the now-grown actor who played the young Conan.
The sequel, Conan the Destroyer, may not be as good, but it has its own strengths, like a memorable Grace Jones. Its set has fun looks at the challenges of the sequel, and there’s even a bit of Robert Eggers on the influence the movie had on The Northman. Put together, the Conan Chronicles is an epic worthy of the source material.
RoboCop
There have been several releases of RoboCop before, and somehow, Arrow topped all of them. Paul Verhoeven's 1987 movie was another ahead-of-its-time production, particularly in terms of its violence, with astute satire that predicted the rise of cable news and corporate power. From the quotable lines to Peter Weller’s turn in the metal suit to the final line, it looks terrific in 4K.
The extras include new commentaries from fans and historians alongside new interviews with Nancy Allen and the old school special effects. Another fun touch is the TV broadcast cut and just how they had to edit things down. Even if you’ve seen RoboCop before, you should still get this set.
Tremors
It’s rare for a flop movie to spawn a franchise, yet it happened with Tremors. Arrow Video shows how this 1990 love letter to the creature features of the 1950s connected with home video audiences to become a cult favorite. Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Michael Gross, and Reba McEntire fit the tale of a small town besieged by monstrous worm-like beasts, fighting them off with wits and dark humor.
This is one packed set with two new audio commentaries, one by director Ron Underwood and the producers, with the other by uber-fan Jonathan Melville. That’s on top of a new making-of documentary on the film and its legacy, features on the music, effects, filming, and more, alongside deleted scenes. While the first sequel is another set, this shakes up fans of a now-loved monster movie.
Jason X
It took some mad genius to conceive the idea of taking one of horror’s most famous slasher stars and throwing him into space. The movie is an absolute romp that packs in some of the goriest kills in the history of the Friday the 13th franchise, with a surprising edge and likable lead characters. It’s an idea that never should have worked, but did, and its reputation has grown over the years.
The Arrow set contains a good mix of new and old material with audio commentaries, a half-hour “making of” documentary, a focus on the music, and an awesome foldout poster. Turning the horror franchise into sci-fi works better than you’d expect to make this a blast for Friday fans.
Gamera
Godzilla may get the fame, yet Gamera is arguably Japan’s second most popular kaiju star. The giant flying turtle became a favorite (including on the cult show Mystery Science Theater 3000) and Arrow Video offers sets of his two top eras. The Showa Era contains the first eight movies, all in pristine condition with the U.S. cuts, commentaries, specials on each film and celebrating this quirky time.
The Heisei Era contains the acclaimed mid-1990s trilogy that rebooted the franchise with a darker edge, as well as the most recent entry, Gamera the Brave. That includes an expansive three-part documentary on the saga, interviews, commentaries, a special look at the overall franchise and more. Put together, it’s everything any Gamera fan could ask for to challenge the King of the Monsters in terms of Blu-ray sets.
Weird Science
While not as famed as other movies celebrating 40th anniversaries, this 1985 John Hughes sci-fi comedy is still worth watching. It’s a fun tale as two geeky teenagers use their computer to create the perfect woman, played by a stunning Kelly LeBrock, who also boasts magical powers. Cue various wild hijinks and a scene-stealing breakout turn from Bill Paxton and Robert Downey Jr.
The big pull of the Arrow set is a newly extended version of the film with deleted scenes that have never been shown on home video before. That’s added on by new interviews with the composer, special effects guys, and that killer soundtrack to make this ‘80s classic shine better than before.
Donnie Darko
There are cult movies, and then there’s Donnie Darko. It’s almost impossible to summarize this 2001 film with Jake Gyllenhaal as a man convinced the world is coming to an end while haunted by a giant rabbit. Trying to explain it further defies conventions as much as the movie does, and it’s little wonder it’s inspired countless debates over the last quarter of a century as to what it all means.
The Arrow set has both the theatrical and director’s cuts packed with a half hour of deleted scenes, an 85-minute discussion of the themes, audio commentaries with nearly all the cast and crew, and extras focusing on the movie’s massive following. If any film fits the Arrow Video mission, it’s Donnie Darko.