2017 Holiday Blu-ray Gift Guide: Staff Picks
Before you begin picking through our top picks, let’s quickly review the two predominant disc options: Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. You’ll typically find a $5-$10 difference between the two formats, with Blu-ray being the cheaper option (though, many 4K Blu-ray discs are currently on sale for Blu-ray type prices). Assuming the person you’re buying for has 4K capable equipment, the 4K Ultra HD version of a film typically is the way to go. Not only do 4K discs offer a vastly improved viewing experience, but quite a few studios are now reserving their best audio encodes for 4K versions of a film. That means immersive sound for the ears and High Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut for the eyes – a dazzling trio! If you’re not sure if your gift recipient is running a 4K set up, you can still buy the 4K version with confidence as Blu-ray versions of a film are usually bundled with a 4K release.
To make your holiday shopping easier, we’ve included direct “Buy It Now” links to Amazon (if a 4K version of the film is available, the link leads directly to that copy). And, where available, we’ve also included links direct to Michael Scott’s review of a release; if you’re curious to read a film’s full review, simply click on the film's title! For recommendations with more than one release (Harry Potter and Transformers), you can click on individual film titles within the text.
Also, it's worth mentioning that we're currently running a Flash Giveaway contest for a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray copy of Despicable Me 3 . The contest (which is simple to enter) runs from December 6th through December 12th. Click here for more information.
20. The Big Sick (Blu-ray)
The Big Sick was one of Michael Scott’s top non-blockbuster picks of the year. As he noted in his review: “I laughed, I cried, and I had warm fuzziest by the end of the movie… I never ONCE thought ‘wow, this is contrived’.” While its R rating might not make it a great pick for families, this rom-com’s unique approach successfully avoids typical Hollywood clichés and will appeal to most anyone. The Blu-ray’s audio and video qualities are both excellent, rounding out a great 2017 release.
19. Hidden Figures (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Hidden Figures took 2017 by storm, presenting the compelling story of African-American women that helped shape NASA’s space race behind the scenes. It’s a great family film loaded with compelling performances that unlock the era of the 1960s, while highlighting the unsung contributions of several key women. If our recommendation isn’t enough, consider a Rotten Tomatoes critic rating of 92-percent. The release's audio and video merits are equal to the task, making Hidden Figures a great home watch.
18. La La Land (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
La La Land, one of the bigger smash hits of 2016, hit the disc market earlier this year. With an impressive SIX Academy Awards, it’s no secret that critics and theater going audiences loved this film. Fans of musicals will especially like to have this film in their collections, as its full of song and dance. Technical specifications for audio and video are nothing short of spectacular, and the release’s extras are rather abundant. La La Land is a sure-shot pleaser!
17. Spider-Man Homecoming (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Representing yet another Spiderman re-fresh, Homecoming benefits from a superb cast anchored by Tom Holland as a young Peter Parker. Toss in several fun villains and this film is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Home theater buffs will love the release’s incredible 2.39:1 cinemascope image, and the 4K version’s Atmos audio encode is pure demo material. Spider-Man Homecoming is a must-own 2017 release!
16. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (4K Blu-ray)
Universal Studios wowed fans of this 1980s classic with a superb 2017 “35th Anniversary” release on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. The film’s iconic story of an alien stranded on earth needs little review (its merits are widely known), but fans of the movie will go gaga over the release’s improved audio and video qualities. Visually, Universal’s 4K conversion offers an uptick in clarity and image texture. And the release’s DTS:X audio encode is a great addition for home theater owners with immersive audio speaker capabilities. All-in-all, Michael Scott says this 35th Anniversary edition is a must own disc for collectors!
15. Better Watch Out (Blu-ray)
How about a little horror for the Holidays? Better Watch Out is one of the most refreshing horror releases in recent memory and one of Michael Scott’s top holiday horror flicks of all time! Released by Well-Go USA on Blu-ray only, the films sports audio and video qualities that match the film’s fun factor. If you have a horror fan on your list (but still want to inject some holiday fun), then Better Watch Out should be on your short list of great gift options.
14. The Lego Batman Movie (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Following on the heels of the smash-hit The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie carries a big heart and a fun soul to go along with its mega-budget. This is a family friendly release that’s intended for all ages (even adults), and its animation qualities are top-notch. Adding to the fun is a stellar 4K UHD image and a massive audio package featuring a Dolby Atmos immersive sound encode. And here’s a pro-tip: the 4K UHD Blu-ray version trumps the 3D Blu-ray version on the audio front (with the 3D version only offering a 5.1 DTS-HD MA track).
13. Kong: Skull Island (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Who doesn’t like thunderous destruction and total devastation, especially when a massive ape is involved? While Kong: Skull Island isn’t one of 2017’s most compelling films from a story perspective, its audio merits make it a MUST BUY for any home theater enthusiast. The film’s carefully crafted and nuanced Dolby Atmos encode is nothing short of spectacular, loaded with thunderous low frequency effects and plenty of overhead activity! If you have an action fan in your life, this is a great buy.
12. War for Planet of the Apes (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
The Planet of the Apes series reboot has been a wonderful surprise, and War for the Planet of the Apes might be the best installment of the trilogy. Loaded with incredible imagery and movie magic, Director Matt Reeves deserves a pat on the back and a high-five for successfully wrapping up Caesar’s arc in the Ape-verse. War represents the series’ most action-packed installment, highlighted by five-star audio and a video presentation that any enthusiast is sure to love.
11. Logan (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Logan is a bridge film that nearly any action fan will enjoy – even if they aren’t a fan of the superhero universe. It’s a mature and complex story (deserving of its R rating), that draws viewers close with a real-world approach to Wolverine’s imperfect existence. Both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray versions of this release drip with an earthy visual appeal, loaded with golden shades of dirt dominating the color spectrum. Audio is top-notch, with the 4K’s release getting the nod for a spectacular Dolby Atmos encode. As Michael Scott most appropriately summarizes: “Definitely a must buy!”
10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
The incredibly fun and family friendly vibe of the Guardians universe is in full effect with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The action is a blast and it’s one of the smarter Marvel movies yet to be released. The flick’s infectious humor, great action, and awesome soundtrack make it an easy blind-buy for any home theater fan. Adding to the release’s street cred are spectacular audio and video encodes, loaded with detail and vibrancy. Much like Logan, Guardians is another must buy release.
9. The Harry Potter Collection (4K Blu-ray)
Warner Bros. has finally released the final four Harry Potter films in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and they’re simply fantastic. Each film can be purchased individually or as part of a massive eight film box set – we whole heartedly recommend them all. The franchise’s final films (Chamber of Secrets, Goblet of Fire, Prisoner of Azkaban, and Sorcerer’s Stone) all feature five-star video upgrades with stunning 4K transfers. And audio is given the full DTS:X treatment. We can’t imagine this series getting any better; these are a must have item for any Potter fan.
8. Fate of the Furious (Blu-ray/ 4K Blu-ray)
Fate of the Furious is yet another installment in one of Hollywood’s most lucrative franchises of recent memory. As you’d expect, Fate is bigger and badder than previous installments, chock full of energy and low on intelligence. In sum, this is an action fans dream flick, loaded with an infectious energy that’s a blast to experience. Audio and video scores for this film are nothing short of amazing, making it an AWESOME demo disc. To add, this is one instance where the 4K Ultra HD disc is a must buy.
7. Transformers (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray)
Similar to the Harry Potter series, Transformers (Dark of the Moon, Revenge of the Fallen, Age of Extinction, and Transformers) also recently received the 4K/immersive sound treatment. These films are simply fabulous from an audio and video perspective, with Dark of the Moon being one of the greatest Blu-ray releases (from an audio perspective) released to date. And while story lines are rather middling, the on-screen action, incredible graphics, and dynamite sound more than make up for plot shortcomings. If you’re looking for a gift for a true home theater buff, look no further than the 4K versions of this franchise’s flicks.
6. Dunkirk (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
We might be jumping the gun just a tad with Dunkirk, since it isn’t due to be released until December 19th. However, Christopher Nolan’s World War II epic rocked commercial cinemas, and its forthcoming release on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray is widely assumed to be a home theater smash hit. If you’re a bit gun shy, you can always reach for Nolan’s other heralded epic, Interstellar, which is being re-released on 4K Blu-ray on the same date. But we think a Christmas morning with Dunkirk making an appearance would be welcomed with open arms.
5. Baby Driver (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Edgar Wright’s smash hit is one of this year’s best Blu-ray releases on multiple fronts. The film’s heist-driven storyline is not only unique, but hitched to a groovy soundtrack that creates an awesome textural vibe. To put it simply: this movie is incredibly fun to watch. Both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray releases carry top-shelf video qualities, while the 4K release’s Dolby Atmos audio track is demo worthy from start to finish (note, the Blu-ray’s DTS-HD MA 5.1 is nothing to sneeze at). This disc is not only a must watch, it’s also a must buy!
4. Moana (Blu-ray)
Moana slides into the number four spot with a story that’s wildly energetic and full of sparkle, capturing the life and pulse of the Polynesian heartbeat in a new skin for a classic Disney theme. Because this is a Disney release, it can only be found on Blu-ray and doesn’t carry an Atmos audio encode. But that doesn’t stop the film from sporting an incredible image and a fantastic 7.1 multi-channel sound package. If you’re looking for a family film that will make a home theater system sing, look no further and put Moana in your cart!
3. Hacksaw Ridge (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Nearly the polar opposite of our number four pick, Hacksaw Ridge brings the terror and intensity of war to life. It tells the story of Private Desmond Doss who became a soldier despite objecting to killing others. It’s a mesmerizing watch, loaded with heart stopping action as Doss puts his beliefs to the test on the battlefield. Home theater enthusiasts will drool over the film's hard-hitting five-star Atmos audio presentation, and its video quality is equal to the task. Michael Scott says included extras round out this film’s disc prowess, making it a must own.
2. Wonder Woman (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Wonder Woman needs little introduction, as it was one of 2017’s hottest commercial cinema films. And while not perfect, it’s easily the best superhero flick the DC universe has released in recent memory. The Blu-ray version of Wonder Woman is nothing short of perfection, and the 4K Blu-ray release ups the ante by making great use of High Dynamic Range to bump up overall image quality. Audio on both discs is reference. Much like other films in our Top 10, Wonder Woman is easy to recommend as a buy for nearly any home theater enthusiast.
1. Westworld Season One (Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray)
Topping our 2017 rankings is a bit of a surprise: HBO’s Westworld. Loaded with incredible acting and a very mature HBO storyline, Michael Scott says Westworld rivals the raw nature of the network’s massively popular Game of Thrones. Audio and video scores are excellent across the board, and the entire release offers 617-minutes of viewing time (making for a gift that keeps giving). The unique nature of blending multiple genres (western, sci-fi adventure, horror, and mystery) makes for compelling viewing. And, as a bonus, the show’s first season has a final episode devoid of cliffhangers. We’re sure fans of great storytelling will welcome Westworld into their collections!
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