Boxed Sets on DVD and Blu-ray
Who doesn’t enjoy a good binge-watch? Whether it’s savoring the full run of a popular television series, studying the early work of a famous director, or delving deep into the bonus features for your favorite film, there’s undeniable glee in sitting down to gorge on great TV and movies. And what better vehicle for a binge that the boxed set, which often includes not just the main event, but other bonus materials, and even the occasional collectible?
Here are nine fancy boxed sets that make great gifts for family, friends—or yourself.
Batman: The Complete Television Series
Forget Keaton, Clooney, Kilmer, and even Bale—give us Adam West! He didn’t need a molded rubber muscle suit to fight crime in Gotham City, just a fast car, a cool cave, and a faithful sidekick (and maybe some shark repellant). Over a two-year run (1966-1968), this iconic television series melded high camp, comic book silliness, and a memorable cast of villains into the kind of show that kept youngsters enthralled while the adults were laughing behind their hands at the tongue-in-cheek humor. This remastered collection includes all 120 dynamic duo episodes, over three hours of extras, and a set of vintage trading cards, a 32-page episode guide, an Adam West scrapbook, and a Hot Wheels replica of the Batmobile! HOLY NOSTALGIC GOODNESS, BATMAN!
Batman: The Complete Television Series
Forget Keaton, Clooney, Kilmer, and even Bale—give us Adam West! He didn’t need a molded rubber muscle suit to fight crime in Gotham City, just a fast car, a cool cave, and a faithful sidekick (and maybe some shark repellant). Over a two-year run (1966-1968), this iconic television series melded high camp, comic book silliness, and a memorable cast of villains into the kind of show that kept youngsters enthralled while the adults were laughing behind their hands at the tongue-in-cheek humor. This remastered collection includes all 120 dynamic duo episodes, over three hours of extras, and a set of vintage trading cards, a 32-page episode guide, an Adam West scrapbook, and a Hot Wheels replica of the Batmobile! HOLY NOSTALGIC GOODNESS, BATMAN!
Breaking Bad: The Complete Series
It’s often cited as one of the best television shows ever (a proclamation that we’d heartily second), and this mammoth complete series collection provides ample opportunity to revisit the evolution of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to ruthless drug overlord. There’s a big benefit in binge-watching (as well as binge re-watching): creator Vince Gilligan kept the narrative extremely tight for the entire run, and geek-friendly callbacks to previous episodes are much more apparent when you’re not waiting months for the new season to air. Plus, if you’re a new viewer, you’re going to need to watch to figure out why the discs come packaged in a big barrel alongside an apron for a fast food chicken joint (trust us, the payoff is worth it).
Breaking Bad: The Complete Series
It’s often cited as one of the best television shows ever (a proclamation that we’d heartily second), and this mammoth complete series collection provides ample opportunity to revisit the evolution of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to ruthless drug overlord. There’s a big benefit in binge-watching (as well as binge re-watching): creator Vince Gilligan kept the narrative extremely tight for the entire run, and geek-friendly callbacks to previous episodes are much more apparent when you’re not waiting months for the new season to air. Plus, if you’re a new viewer, you’re going to need to watch to figure out why the discs come packaged in a big barrel alongside an apron for a fast food chicken joint (trust us, the payoff is worth it).
Downton Abbey S1-4
Brew a pot of tea, adjust your monocle, and revisit the soapy goings-on at everyone’s favorite lavish English estate: Downton Abbey. This costume drama airing on PBS and set in WWI-era England has captivated and enthralled millions of viewers on both sides of the pond. The large ensemble cast (featuring the regal Maggie Smith) balances intrigue, scandal, and romance with a stiff upper lip, serving up a captivating viewing experience that is properly British and always engrossing. The Dowager Countess once said, “It’s the look of the thing that matters,” and this handsome box set will look majestic in the sitting room of your own country estate apartment.
Downton Abbey S1-4
Brew a pot of tea, adjust your monocle, and revisit the soapy goings-on at everyone’s favorite lavish English estate: Downton Abbey. This costume drama airing on PBS and set in WWI-era England has captivated and enthralled millions of viewers on both sides of the pond. The large ensemble cast (featuring the regal Maggie Smith) balances intrigue, scandal, and romance with a stiff upper lip, serving up a captivating viewing experience that is properly British and always engrossing. The Dowager Countess once said, “It’s the look of the thing that matters,” and this handsome box set will look majestic in the sitting room of your own country estate apartment.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The Complete Cases
David Suchet has portrayed Agatha Christie’s legendary Belgian sleuth Inspector Hercule Poirot for over 25 years, and this 33-disc set gathers up all 70 episodes from the show’s multi-decade run. A gaggle of familiar faces have appeared on the show in supporting roles over the years, including Michael Fassbender, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Damian Lewis, Tim Curry, Downton Abbey‘s Hugh Bonneville, and Doctor Who‘s Christopher Eccleston, but it is Suchet who has kept us glued to the screen all these years.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The Complete Cases
David Suchet has portrayed Agatha Christie’s legendary Belgian sleuth Inspector Hercule Poirot for over 25 years, and this 33-disc set gathers up all 70 episodes from the show’s multi-decade run. A gaggle of familiar faces have appeared on the show in supporting roles over the years, including Michael Fassbender, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Damian Lewis, Tim Curry, Downton Abbey‘s Hugh Bonneville, and Doctor Who‘s Christopher Eccleston, but it is Suchet who has kept us glued to the screen all these years.
How I Met Your Mother: The Whole Story
Now that the love-it-or-hate-it furor over the controversial finale has passed, it’s time to revisit and reassess. All 208 episodes are included in this gargantuan nine-season box set, plus a bonus disc that contains a retrospective documentary, some deleted scenes, and the answer to one of the show’s longest-running, heretofore unsolved mysteries: what was up with that pineapple?
How I Met Your Mother: The Whole Story
Now that the love-it-or-hate-it furor over the controversial finale has passed, it’s time to revisit and reassess. All 208 episodes are included in this gargantuan nine-season box set, plus a bonus disc that contains a retrospective documentary, some deleted scenes, and the answer to one of the show’s longest-running, heretofore unsolved mysteries: what was up with that pineapple?
Sopranos: The Complete Series
You think your family is dysfunctional? Just in time for the holidays comes this 28-disc Blu-ray set containing all 86 episodes of HBO’s trigger-happy mob family juggernaut The Sopranos, presented for the first time in high definition and 5.1 surround sound. And just to make sure this is an offer you really can’t refuse, there are 25 audio commentaries, interviews with the cast and crew, deleted scenes, and more. James Gandolfini may be gone, but his portrayal of Tony Soprano will live on forever.
Sopranos: The Complete Series
You think your family is dysfunctional? Just in time for the holidays comes this 28-disc Blu-ray set containing all 86 episodes of HBO’s trigger-happy mob family juggernaut The Sopranos, presented for the first time in high definition and 5.1 surround sound. And just to make sure this is an offer you really can’t refuse, there are 25 audio commentaries, interviews with the cast and crew, deleted scenes, and more. James Gandolfini may be gone, but his portrayal of Tony Soprano will live on forever.
Sherlock The Complete Seasons 1-3 Gift Set
The world may not have been clamoring for yet another reinvention of the Sherlock mythos, but this British-made series gave us what we didn’t know we needed. Set in modern-day London, the show is built around the computer-like brain power and questionable social skills of Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the sad-sack mumblings of partner Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman). Andrew Scott steps it up a notch as classic Holmes foe Moriarty, giving the character a maniacal lunacy that is an absolute scene-stealer. This gift set features not only all three seasons, but miniature busts of Sherlock and Watson.
Sherlock The Complete Seasons 1-3 Gift Set
The world may not have been clamoring for yet another reinvention of the Sherlock mythos, but this British-made series gave us what we didn’t know we needed. Set in modern-day London, the show is built around the computer-like brain power and questionable social skills of Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the sad-sack mumblings of partner Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman). Andrew Scott steps it up a notch as classic Holmes foe Moriarty, giving the character a maniacal lunacy that is an absolute scene-stealer. This gift set features not only all three seasons, but miniature busts of Sherlock and Watson.
Steven Spielberg Director’s Collection
This overview of Steven Spielberg’s storied career begins with Duel, his electrifying 1971 TV-movie-of-the-week debut about a poor working man (Dennis Weaver) mercilessly hunted by a big tanker truck across the California desert. The set continues with his first big screen feature, starring Goldie Hawn as a cop-kidnapper (The Sugarland Express), the original summer blockbuster (Jaws), a comedy/farce about an alleged Japanese invasion of California (1941), a lovable boy-meets-alien adventure (E.T.), a romantic ghost story about a dead pilot (Always), the flick that made velociraptors famous (Jurassic Park), and the even-more-dinosaurs-than-before sequel (The Lost World: Jurassic Park).
Steven Spielberg Director’s Collection
This overview of Steven Spielberg’s storied career begins with Duel, his electrifying 1971 TV-movie-of-the-week debut about a poor working man (Dennis Weaver) mercilessly hunted by a big tanker truck across the California desert. The set continues with his first big screen feature, starring Goldie Hawn as a cop-kidnapper (The Sugarland Express), the original summer blockbuster (Jaws), a comedy/farce about an alleged Japanese invasion of California (1941), a lovable boy-meets-alien adventure (E.T.), a romantic ghost story about a dead pilot (Always), the flick that made velociraptors famous (Jurassic Park), and the even-more-dinosaurs-than-before sequel (The Lost World: Jurassic Park).
Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary
Gone With The Wind is almost long enough to count as a binge watch by itself, but this new four-disc 75th anniversary gift set gives you plenty more material to luxuriate in: a commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer, over eight hours of supplemental content from previous releases, an entire disc of new 75th anniversary material, plus the fascinating six-hour MGM documentary When The Lion Roars. Tangible goodies include a 36-page booklet, a collectible music box, and an embroidered handkerchief (!). We’ll never go hungry for something to watch again.
Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary
Gone With The Wind is almost long enough to count as a binge watch by itself, but this new four-disc 75th anniversary gift set gives you plenty more material to luxuriate in: a commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer, over eight hours of supplemental content from previous releases, an entire disc of new 75th anniversary material, plus the fascinating six-hour MGM documentary When The Lion Roars. Tangible goodies include a 36-page booklet, a collectible music box, and an embroidered handkerchief (!). We’ll never go hungry for something to watch again.