The Universal Classic Monsters film series is one of the most iconic groups of movies and characters in all of history. While their films have been bundled together countless times, recently, a new collection was released, containing eight of the most famous films released in 4K and bundled together in an incredibly stylistic and sleek book, and they’ve never looked better as a result.
The Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition 4K Collection goes back in time to the very beginning of the Universal Classic Monsters saga and collects eight of the very first films, including Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), Phantom of the Opera (1943), and Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954).
While the movies are the main attraction, the way they’re collected also serves as an incredible treat for not only horror fans but also for fans of collectibles similar to that of The Criterion Collection’s bundled films and who love physical media as a whole.
Inside the collection are pages dedicated to each film that contain beautiful artwork, screenshots of the film, and some information on it. In the back of the collection sit spots for all eight films, and while the covers of the discs leave something to be desired, they match the older, “classic movie” feel well enough that it doesn’t matter.
As far as the films themselves go, the Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition 4K Collection does a great job selecting some of the very best that the iconic film studio has to offer. While some fans may not be happy to see their favorite film missing, the eight films chosen do represent some of the most legendary monsters in movie history. Quality-wise, each film is presented in 4K Ultra HD, which seems to be the same version from Universal’s last bundle a few years ago. Despite not being a new restoration, the films look incredibly stunning and are undoubtedly the best way to view the films to date.
The black-and-white nature of the film’s pop, textures, and details look great, and there weren’t any blurry or grainy marks anywhere, at least that I noticed. It’s clear that the undertaking of restoring these films was done with a lot of love, and that even extends to the collection’s bonus features. Each of the eight films contains a ton of bonus features for fans, so much so that there are too many to list here. However, fans can expect things like behind-the-scenes documentaries on the movies, trailer galleries, archival footage, commentary tracks, and more for each movie.
Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition 4K Collection Review: The Final Verdict
The Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition 4K Collection may not serve as the definitive collection for fans of the classic film series. Not every movie is collected here, and for those who do want to own one, the collection itself is limited to just 5,500 copies.
However, for those who love collecting physical media and displaying it, this is a must-have collection, not only because it contains arguably the most important eight films in Universal’s Monsters era but also due to just how great the collection looks on a shelf or on display in one’s movie collection.
In an era of collections and 4K releases that feel almost gimmicky, Universal has found a way to release some of its most iconic films in a set that looks back on its history with the love and attention it deserves.
Disclosure: SuperHeroHype was sent a copy by the publisher for our Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition 4K Collection Review.
