Collector’s Editions vs Standard Editions

[RustinCohle]

What are your thoughts? Are the art cards and booklet worth it? Just for your favorite movies? Are you a completionist and get them all regardless? Interested to hear how people really feel about them.

[starmike]

It depends on the movie, really. I'd go all-in for a Blade Runner set, but couldn't give a rat's ass about Cocaine Bear.

It also depends on the swag. Those WB box sets with the 11x14 lobby cards were awesome. Mini versions of things like that are ok at best.

[DR Herbert West]

I do appreciate a good booklet.

[Mister_Kidd]

Helplessly addicted. Especially love Arrow and Second Sight's LE's. I don't get them all, but any movie I really like, I try to get.

[JRcanReid]

If I'm being honest...I'm a bit of a swag *****.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by RustinCohle

What are your thoughts? Are the art cards and booklet worth it? Just for your favorite movies? Are you a completionist and get them all regardless? Interested to hear how people really feel about them.

Are the art cards , posters, booklets, worth it?

IMO, that would be a resounding NO because for the extra $40 these warner editions command (i assume you mean warners), you can buy an actual coffee table book and a vintage poster that is likely more impressive than anything you'd get in the box.

The wildcard for me is the cover art, that is a big one. So if the standard release looks godawful and there is other way to get decent cover art, I will sometimes spend more primarily for proper artwork. And of course, if the more expensive edition has any extra discs, etc.

[yukito]

Only count for movies I really enjoy and want to flex a limited edition on the shelf. Not that anyone I personally know gives a rat's a** but anyway, I do. Sometimes I don't even need to watch a movie, I just sit there looking at my shelfs, rocking myself...

[Torgon]

I really don’t care for the sets with ‘tat.’ If it comes with it and it’s the version I want, then fine; but I rarely buy it for such. I collect lots of things so the stuff that comes with movies just adds to it. I’ve collected a few ‘collectors’ sets over the years, but that extra swag just sits there. The main reason I might buy one is an exclusive steelbook (like The Prince of Thieves 4K). Cool steelbook and case for the steelbook (and non-U.S. release) made it a buy for me. The extras; meh. Some of the collectors editions are cool, but I don’t need them.

[fattyjoe37]

I don't care for art cards or random knick knacks, but limited edition booklets like we see from Arrow and Second Sight definitely make me order the collector's editions. To me, those are as important a supplement as if a limited edition came with an exclusive disc.

[bookcase]

If I have any collectors editions in my collection, it's because it's the only way they come (like the Columbia Classics box set). Otherwise, I always go for the standard version.

[Brian81]

I like booklets, and slips/boxes to go over the cases so they don't get ratty looking (don't like the aesthetics of looking at cover art through a clear plastic sheet that looks like someone took a magic eraser pad to it), but I don't really care about the posters and postcards.


I am NOT a fan of massive sets and while I like booklets, I don't like ones that are merely pictures, or ones that are massive like what Second Sight includes with every single film. I guess the latter aren't something I should critique as I'm sure they're great for fans of the films, but I do value shelf space over large books unless I'm fanatical about a film.

[meremortal]

At this point, I generally do not care for the 'swag' gimmicks. But exclusive extras are fine like Arrow sometimes does. I also no longer collect steelbooks and often put off buying releases that are steel only. Space is at a premium these days and so I really don't need oversized boxes like the old ultimate edition blu release for Gone With the Wind or the Cowl mask release for TDKR. As a fan of Labyrinth, it was kind of cool having the themed blu box, but I ended up getting rid of it at the sake of shelf/storage space. There are probably many others I'm forgetting. All said, with physical media on the decline I say still bring them on even if they're mostly not for me. It's just not like a decade or so ago when people might get excited to collect multiple editions per movie.

[gambit64]

The only reason for me to buy a collector's edition is for the cover art and/or SteelBook art. I care nothing about any "tat", booklets, or extra discs (I rarely, if ever, watch any bonus discs). When I was younger, I would think it was cool, but don't need any of that now. So, unfortunately, I will swallow the extra price on those editions with the desired art. But now I do find myself even passing on that sometimes as I need to watch my expenses as I get older.

[AgentOrange]

Don't care at all about "trinkets", actually I now view them as a net negative if it makes the movie come in an unnecessarily large box, especially if the trinkets are just plastic. Had a few of those huge DVD and blu-ray ultimate editions, that in retrospect were just silly to have for just ONE film.

Something simple like art cards or a booklet I do appreciate, actually it's a shame those basic things don't just don't come with "standard editions".

[stvn1974]

I always go for the non-frills edition. I used to wait until the posters sold out when it came to Shout titles before I would order them. I figured it would be better to go to someone who wanted them. Even with the Halloween slipboxes I put the case with the discs on the shelf and the box in a trunk where all slipcovers go to die. Same with the few Arrow releases that come with the hard case, the book stays in it and I take all of the stuff like cards and such and put them in the box and then it all goes in the trunk.

[Eurbane132]

Some collector’s editions including dvds and vhs are available for a limited time.

[ponderingtheuniverse]

There's a reason why the limited edition of the Vincent Price in Six Gothic Tales blu-ray set is considered a grail to me that I'd love to own someday. The thick, hardback book alone makes it worth getting for its essays and photos. I couldn't resist getting Second Sight's 4K release of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre because of its thick, hardback book (the art cards were also a nice bonus.)

I also hope to get the 70th and 75th collector's editions of The Wizard of Oz, as well as the UK 4K set. The 70th has a campaign booklet and budget sheet replica. The 75th has a map of Oz from the book and a pin set of what the Wizard gave to Dorothy's companions. The UK 4K set has the soundtrack CD, art cards, and a reproduction of an original poster of the film.

To me, collector's editions only enhance the film to me and I just can't resist them. Even if its only a booklet or poster included.