Holiday Gift Guide: Top 20 Movie Discs of the Year!

(December 2, 2023) It's that time of year... the holidays are upon us! Review guru Michael Scott and I typically pull together a list of the Top 20 disc releases of the year to bring some closure to the previous 12 months, and by "Michael Scott and I," I actually mean to say Mike, because he's the main knowledge base in this situation. This year, I brought a handful of suggestions to the table and helped a bit with ranking, but per the norm, Mike knows best (not to mention the most). You can use this list to fill in holes in your collection or buy a gift or two for a movie fan in your life. Of course, questions and conversation are definitely encouraged. Let us know what's missing... and definitely let us know what you're buying!

Before we dive in, it's worth mentioning that we did not include the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark Calibration Disc Set (2023), but it's definitely a disc that every enthusiast should own. If you'd like to learn more about it, or if you'd like to order a copy, click here. Also, several high-level discs have been released since we crafted this list – the original Point Break in 4K comes to mind. So make sure you check the comments section for add-ons.

The format of this year's list is simple. We provide the film's name, format, and cover art. The movie titles are linked to Mike's official review (if he reviewed it). And, as you'll see, we've provided Amazon links where applicable. Of course, we might receive a small commission for purchases made through links, so if you'd like to support AV NIRVANA, please click away! Otherwise, we encourage you to purchase directly from your favorite e-retailer or local shop.









20. Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time, 4K UHD (Click here to Buy on Amazon)

19. Shaw Brothers Classics Volumes 1, 2, 3, or 4, Blu-ray (Buy on Amazon)

Please note: we've included a link to Shaw Brothers Classics Volume 2 however, Michael Scott
say all three other volumes are equally as good!


18. Le Mepris: Contempt, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

17. Blue Beetle, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

16. Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Blu-ray (Buy on Amazon)

15. Smile, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

14. Barbie, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

13. Babylon 5 The Complete Series, Blu-ray (Buy on Amazon)

To read a review of Babylon 5: The Road Home (Blu-ray), click here.


12. Star Trek: The Next Generation 4 Movie Collection, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

11. Haunted Mansion, Blu-ray (Buy on Amazon)

10. Pulp Fiction, 4K UHD Steelbook (Buy on Amazon)

9. Oppenheimer, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

8. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

7. John Wick 4, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

6. Avatar: The Way of Water, 4K (Buy on Amazon)

5. Talk to Me, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

4. Gran Turismo, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

3. The Fugitive, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

2. Across the Spiderverse, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

1. Sisu, 4K UHD (Buy on Amazon)

And, that's our list! 2023 proved to be a year of fantastic home theater content... here's wishing you and your loved ones a happy, home theater-filled 2024!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Man o mighty @Michael Scott, we've got the musclebound behemoth at #9!

 

[tripplej]

good list.. Thanks

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Thanks for the list. I think I'll watch SISU as soon as I get my new TV set next week.

I wonder if the purchased version on Amazon Prime includes the Atmos track, or is that only with the physical media?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Not sure on that, Sonnie. I’d guess it’s disc only, but you might get lucky.

It’s brutal film - honestly, my best description is a poor man’s Inglorious Bastards

 

[Michael Scott]

Thanks for the list. I think I'll watch SISU as soon as I get my new TV set next week.

I wonder if the purchased version on Amazon Prime includes the Atmos track, or is that only with the physical media?

Sisu was weird. the phsyical disc only had 5.1 Dolby TrueHD on it, but the Kaleidescope version had atmos. So does the movies anywhere digital copy (e.g, Vudu). But I do not believe that the Amazon Prime version has Atmos but don't quote me on that.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Sisu was weird. the phsyical disc only had 5.1 Dolby TrueHD on it, but the Kaleidescope version had atmos. So does the movies anywhere digital copy (e.g, Vudu). But I do not believe that the Amazon Prime version has Atmos but don't quote me on that.

I have a free version of it on a trial of Starz I have... I'll check it and see.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sonnie, upmix it with Auro-3D and you’ll be treated to great audio. That upmix engine can be increased/decreased right in the storm remote app (which, hopefully, you have downloaded on your phone)!

 

[JBrax]

Man o mighty @Michael Scott, we've got the musclebound behemoth at #9!

I kinda thought the same thing.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Gotta say, @JBrax, I think it might be in the right place. Where would you have placed it?

 

[JBrax]

Gotta say, @JBrax, I think it might be in the right place. Where would you have placed it?

Easily top 3 for me.

 

[MusicManLen]

@Todd Anderson Sisu Steelbook 4K had Dolby True HD 5.1 audio as well but you are absolutely correct about upmixing to Auro 3D as it is awesome.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Interesting that they chose to roll it out with 5.1 on disc in the US, but Atmos on Kscape. I do think the upmix gets you super close... and the most important factor (for me) is that you aren't sacrificing to get an immersive experience (meaning, your base source material is still lossless audio). That's the biggest issue for streaming - picture quality might be neck and neck, but you lose quite a bit in the audio department.