Universal to release eight classic monster films in one big Blu-Ray box this October

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Universal is in the midst of its one hundred year anniversary celebrations, and a part of that is now set to involve eight classic monster films being full restored and released on Blu-Ray this fall. Which, in my book, is a f***ing great way to celebrate. 

Officially titled “Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection,” the box set will become available on October 2nd and come with “a collectible 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, correspondence and much more.”  As for the films themselves, special features new and (mostly) old include:

DRACULA
– Two version available, the original film from 1931 and the Spanish version, “an equally ominous vision of the horror classic shot with the same sets and script.”
• The Road to Dracula
• Lugosi: The Dark Prince
• Dracula: The Restoration (new featurette)
• Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About the Making of Dracula
• Dracula Archives
• Score by Philip Glass performed by the Kronos Quartet
• Feature Commentary by Film Historian David J. Skal
• Feature Commentary by Steve Haberman, Screenwriter of Dracula: Dead and Loving It
• Trailer Gallery

FRANKENSTEIN
• The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
• Karloff: The Gentle Monster
• Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About The Making of Frankenstein
• Universal Horror
• Frankenstein Archives
• Boo!: A Short Film
• Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
• Feature Commentary with Historian Sir Christopher Frayling
• 100 Years Of Universal: Restoring the Classics
• Trailer Gallery

THE MUMMY
• Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
• He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art Of Jack Pierce
• Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy
• The Mummy Archives
• Feature Commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns and Brent Armstrong
• Feature Commentary by Film Historian Paul M. Jensen
• 100 Years Of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
• Trailer Gallery

THE INVISIBLE MAN
• Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed
• Production Photographs
• Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
• 100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters

THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN
• She’s Alive! Creating The Bride Of Frankenstein
• The Bride Of Frankenstein Archive
• Feature Commentary with Scott MacQueen
• 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
• Trailer Gallery

THE WOLF MAN
• Monster by Moonlight
• The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth
• Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr.
• He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
• The Wolf Man Archives
• Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
• 100 Years of Universal: The Lot
• Trailer Gallery

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
• The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
• Production Photographs
• Feature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacQueen
• 100 Years of Universal: The Lot
• Theatrical Trailer

THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
• The Creature From The Black Lagoon in 3D (new)
• Back to The Black Lagoon
• Production Photographs
• Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
• 100 Years of Universal: The Lot
• Trailer Gallery

Phew! There’s just a whole lot of goodness to be found collected together here.  Though I love the source material for DRACULA the most, THE INVISIBLE MAN is my personal favorite amongst this classic and horror-filled bunch.  What about you?