10 NEW TO NETFLIX
“District 9“
“Dune“
“Eleanor the Great“
“Erin Brockovich“
“Licorice Pizza“
“Moonrise Kingdom“
“Skyfall“
“Tusk“
“Under the Silver Lake“
“Wild Things“
15 NEW TO BLU-RAY/DVD
“Caught by the Tides” (Criterion)
The Chinese master Jia Zhang-Ke (“Mountains May Depart,” “Ash is the Purest White”) used footage he shot over more than two decades to assemble this singular film that intertwines non-fiction and fiction storytelling, yet feels as much an art form as reality. Of course, Jia’s wife, Zhao Tao, is the main figure in this story that unfolds from near the turn of the millennium through COVID.
The assembly of “Caught by the Tides” allows for something akin to “Boyhood,” as the actors age naturally over the film’s long production, which alternates material Jia shot on the side with actual footage and outtakes from three of his other films. This is a great addition to the Janus Contemporaries branch of the Criterion Collection.
Special Features
- Meet the Filmmakers: Jia Zhang-Ke, a Criterion Channel original interview
- Trailer
- Notes by film critic Carlos Aguilar
“Cheap Thrills” (Arrow)
E.L. Katz’s wickedly smart directorial debut joins the Arrow Home Video pantheon this month with an excellent release that includes new interviews with all four of the film’s stars: Pat Healy, Ethan Embry, David Koechner, and Sara Paxton. The concept of “Cheap Thrills” remains timely over a decade later, as the way the uber-wealthy play games with those financially beneath them has only gotten worse.
In this underrated gem, Healy plays Craig, an unemployed mechanic who meets an old buddy named Vince (Embry) at a dive bar. That’s where they meet the wealthy Colin (Koechner) and Violet (Paxton), who decide to play a game in which they pay the poor guys more and more for increasingly demeaning tasks.
Arrow has given the film a great transfer and set of special features, including a new commentary by the brilliant Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. Check this one out.
Special Features
- Brand new audio commentary by film critic and author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Audio commentary with director E.L. Katz and actor Pat Healy
- With Friends Like These, a newly filmed interview with director E.L. Katz and producer Travis Stevens
- Money Talks, a newly filmed interview with actors Pat Healy, Ethan Embry, David Koechner, and Sara Paxton
- Double Down, a newly filmed interview with writers Trent Haaga and David Chirchirillo
- Ketchup, Cheese, and (Fake) Blood, a newly filmed interview with special effects/make up artist Hugo Villaseñor
- Vital Heat: The Making of Cheap Thrills, an archive featurette
- Cheap Thrills at Fantastic Film Festival 2013, an archive featurette
- Theatrical trailer
- Cheap Shots, a gallery of photos taken by Sara Paxton’s character, Violet, as seen in the film
- On-set production photos
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sister Hyde
- Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sister Hyde
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Heather Wixson and Matt Donato
“The Dead” (Criterion)
John Huston is best remembered for hits like “The Maltese Falcon,” “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” and “The African Queen,” but one of my favorite films by this legendary director has always been his last, 1987’s “The Dead.” Criterion collaborated with the director of photography to produce a new 4K restoration of this adaptation of the James Joyce short story, now available on physical media.
The release also includes a new interview with an expert on Joyce and a restoration of a documentary about the making of this masterpiece called “John Huston and the Dubliners.” There are Criterion releases that get more attention, but this is just as special.
Special Features
- New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director of photography Fred Murphy, with 4.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- New interview with author Colum McCann on the James Joyce short story and its adaptation for the film
- New 2K restoration of John Huston and the Dubliners (1987), a behind-the-scenes documentary by Lilyan Sievernich
- Audio excerpts from actor Anjelica Huston’s 2014 memoir, Watch Me
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by author and film critic Michael Koresky and a 1987 piece by screenwriter Tony Huston about the making of the film
“Dead Man” (Criterion)
As Jim Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother” slowly works its way around the country’s arthouses, go back three decades to the indie pioneer’s first period piece: this 1995 Western dripping in that laconic Jarmusch style.
Johnny Depp stars as William Blake, a man on the run in 19th-century America, and he co-stars with Gary Farmer, Billy Bob Thornton, Iggy Pop, and many more, including Robert Mitchum’s last performance.
This release features a 4K restoration that was overseen by Jarmusch himself, along with all the special features available on the previous standard Criterion release, including wicked cool readings of Blake poems by people like Alfred Molina and Iggy Pop.
Special Features
- 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Jim Jarmusch, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Q&A in which Jarmusch responds to questions sent in by fans
- Footage of Neil Young composing and performing the film’s score
- Interview with actor Gary Farmer
- Readings of William Blake poems by members of the cast, including Mili Avital, Alfred Molina, and Iggy Pop, accompanied by Jarmusch’s location-scouting photos
- Selected-scene audio commentary by production designer Bob Ziembicki and sound mixer Drew Kunin
- Deleted scenes
- Trailer
- Color photos from the film’s production
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: Essays by film critic Amy Taubin and music journalist Ben Ratliff
“Evil Dead Rise” (Arrow)
It’s almost heartwarming that the world created by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell in the woods in the early ’80s is arguably as popular as ever after the massive success of this 2023 film and the excitement around the upcoming “Evil Dead Burn,” coming in July 2026.
I’m as sad as anyone that we don’t still have Ash in this world, but I also admire the gruesome intensity of both the 2013 reboot and this latest version, which has been given an INCREDIBLE special edition from the lunatics over at Arrow Home Video. They struck quickly, getting new interviews with several major players, including stars Alyssa Sullivan, Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, and many more. It’s only January, but this is one of the essential horror physical media releases of 2026.
Special Features
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTAITON OF THE FILM
- Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio options
- English audio descriptive track
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director Lee Cronin and actors Alyssa Sullivan and Lily Sullivan
- Come Get Some, a brand new interview with actor Lily Sullivan
- Mommy Deadite, a brand new interview with actor Alyssa Sutherland
- The Deadite’s Daughter, a brand new interview with actor Gabrielle Echols
- The Levitating Dead, a brand new interview with actor Anna-Maree Thomas
- Conjuring Deadites, a brand new interview with special make-up effects designer Luke Polti
- Chopping Up Deadites, a brand new interview with editor Bryan Shaw
- Sonic Possessions, a brand new interview with sound designer Peter Albrechtsen
- Music to Swallow Your Soul, a brand new interview with composer Stephen McKeon
- The Sound of Evil Dead Rise, a 2023 interview with Cronin and Albrechtsen by Glenn Kiser, director of the Dolby Institute
- Raising a New Evil Dead featurette
- Ghost Train, a 2013 short film directed by Lee Cronin
- Behind-the-scenes video clips and still gallery
- Concept artwork gallery
- Storyboard gallery
- Trailer and TV spots
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Waldemar Witt
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Waldemar Witt
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Gingold
“House Party” (Criterion)
Working off the love for hip hop duo Kid ‘N Play, although with a great supporting cast that includes Martin Lawrence and Robin Harris, Reginald Hudlin made an instant teen party classic in this 1990 comedy hit. Still, it felt like a surprising pick for Criterion, which usually gravitates to more “serious” fare.
They pulled out all the stops for this great release, coordinating a new audio commentary by Hudlin, a new conversation, and a new cast reunion. There’s even a version of the short film that Hudlin basically turned into this project. “House Party” was such a hit that it spawned a stunning four sequels and a reboot in 2023. None is as good as the original jam.
Special Features
- New 4K digital restoration, supervised by director of photography Peter Deming and approved by writer-director Reginald Hudlin, with 4.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- New audio commentary featuring Hudlin
- New conversation featuring Hudlin, producer Warrington Hudlin, and film scholar Racquel Gates
- New cast reunion featuring actors B-Fine, Bowlegged Lou, and the Legend Paul Anthony of Full Force; Tisha Campbell; AJ Johnson; Christopher “Play” Martin; Daryl “Chill” Mitchell; and Christopher “Kid” Reid
- House Party (1983), the student short by Reginald Hudlin on which his feature is based
- Trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by author Michael Harriot
“Kiss of the Spider Woman” (Criterion)
2025’s remake of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” was surprisingly buried by the movie machine, barely getting released months after its Sundance premiere. It didn’t make nearly the waves of the 1985 non-musical version of the infamous 1976 novel, a film that won William Hurt an Oscar for Best Actor.
Years later, the Hurt of it all has become somewhat controversial (in no small part due to revelations that the actor was atrocious around this time, especially toward Marlee Matlin). But this was a major film in the ’80s, and Criterion has not only restored it but also included a lengthy documentary on its production and impact. All in all, this is one of the lesser releases of a major month for Criterion, but it’s still worth picking up for fans of the Puig novel or the performers involved.
Special Features
- New 4K digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- Alternate uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Tangled Web: Making “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (2008), a feature-length documentary
- Interview with Suzanne Jill Levine, biographer of Kiss of the Spider Woman author Manuel Puig, about the adaptation
- Short program on Puig
- Trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic B. Ruby Rich
The best film of 2025 is currently available on HBO Max, VOD platforms, and physical media… barely. Rarely has there been a more placeholder physical media release from a major company than this one, which admittedly includes a great 4K transfer but absolutely no special features. Anderson has had releases before that were kinda bare-bones, but you can’t find an interview hanging around the office? It’s absolutely without question that there will be a special edition of this 14-time Oscar nominee down the road. Maybe they’re waiting to see how many Oscars it wins.
Special Features
None
There was a time, especially after it won the Silver Lion at Venice, that everyone thought this A24 drama would be a major awards season player. It most definitely was not that. In fact, it was kind of a bomb, making only about half of its $50 million budget. What happened? It was always kind of a tough sell, as it’s a purposefully non-sentimental look at the life of a relatively unknown figure, MMA pioneer Mark Kerr. It’s the opposite of crowd-pleasing. Having said that, it feels like something that could find an audience at home, especially those who care about MMA or the ambition of Dwayne Johnson, who does some of the best work of his career here. A24 includes some impressive special features, including an exclusive commentary with director Benny Safdie, deleted scenes, and physical collectibles.
Special Features
- Director Commentary with Benny Safdie
- “What It Means to be a Fighter: Making The Smashing Machine” Featurette
- 16mm Camera Test
- Deleted Scenes
- Set of Six Collectible Postcards
“Snakes on a Plane” (Arrow)
Does anyone else feel old to realize that Samuel L. Jackson yelled about snakes on a plane two decades ago? Just me? Anyway, this is an interesting chapter in movie history, as much for how it helped develop the viral art of build-up as for the movie itself. (In fact, the actual flick was widely seen as a disappointment because of the hyped anticipation.)
Once again, Arrow destroys all expectations with this release, going deeper into the legacy of “Snakes on a Plane” than anyone could possibly imagine. It not only includes hours of archival material from previous releases but also features a brand-new mini-documentary on the film’s history and impact, along with new commentary. Get to this one, “Snakes” fans.
Special Features
- NEW 4K RESTORATION by Arrow Films
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand new audio commentary by critics Max Evry and Bryan Reesman
- Archival cast and crew audio commentary, featuring director David R. Ellis, actor Samuel L. Jackson, producer Craig Berenson, associate producer Tawny Ellis, VFX supervisor Eric Henry, and second unit director Freddie Hice
- Snakes on a Page, a brand new mini-documentary exploring the movie tie-in novelization phenomenon, featuring publisher Mark Miller, historian David Spencer and Christa Faust, author of the Snakes on a Plane novelization
- Pure Venom, an archival feature on the making of the film, featuring interviews with the cast and crew
- Meet the Reptiles, an archival featurette on the work of snake wrangler Jules Sylvester and the various snakes featured in the film
- VFX, an archival featurette on the use of CGI to bring the snakes to life
- Snakes on a Blog, an archival featurette on the online hype surrounding the film prior to its release
- Snakes on a Plane music video
- Making of the music video
- Gag reel
- Trailers and TV Spots
- Image gallery
- Easter eggs
- South Pacific Airlines safety instruction card
- Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Daniel Burnett and Charlie Brigden
“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere“
Much like “The Smashing Machine” earlier in this feature, pundits thought that this would be one of the major players of awards season. But it turns out that, more than it used to, quality matters. Scott Cooper’s film is far from horrible. It’s actually an interesting approach to the biopic, focusing on not only a specific chapter of a legend’s life but how depression and trauma produced one of the best albums of all time. But it’s not crowd-pleasing enough for Bruce fans and not welcoming enough for those who aren’t. Still, it deserved a better fate, if only for a great Jeremy Strong turn and smart script by Cooper.
Fox Searchlight/Disney has included an exclusive, detailed documentary on the physical release, a reminder of the legacy of one of the most important songwriters who ever lived, one who is still killing it in 2026 with the drop of his incredible protest song “Streets of Minneapolis.”
Special Features
- Exclusive Four-Act Documentary: Making Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
- Act 1: From Book to Screen — See how Warren Zanes’ moving book inspired filmmakers to bring Bruce Springsteen’s most intimate chapter to life on screen.
- Act 2: Beyond the Music — An intimate look at Bruce Springsteen’s raw and enduring masterpiece “Nebraska” — its sound, spirit, and powerful influence on the film’s tone and emotion.
- Act 3: Becoming Bruce Springsteen — Jeremy Allen White dives deep into the mind and music of Bruce Springsteen, capturing the grit, grace, and humanity that define the icon’s artistry.
- Act 4: Deep Authenticity — From vintage wardrobe to the Asbury Park boardwalk, experience how the filmmakers captured the raw soul of Bruce Springsteen’s New Jersey.
I may not be the ideal audience for this release, given I’m not a fan of the previous “Tron” movies, but I still expected a bit more, especially after my friend Matt’s rave. If you agree more with him, this is an admittedly great physical release, especially in a sound mix that highlights the film’s best asset: the incredible Nine Inch Nails score, one of the best of 2025. There are also special features about the production and a few deleted scenes. Much respect to you, “Tron” lovers. I wish I were one of them sometimes.
Special Features
- Featurettes:
- The Journey To Tron: Ares: Go on a personal journey with Jared Leto, director Joachim Rønning and other cast and crew members for an in-depth making-of look showcasing the stunning visuals, incredible stunts, cool (but heavy) costumes, and next-level sets of Tron: Ares.
- Lightcycles On The Loose: Join director Joachim Rønning as he peels back the layers of one of the most action-packed sequences in the film. Discover what ILM and the artists who grew up loving the franchise contributed, and what other iconic film the sequence pays homage to.
- The Artistry Of Tron: Ares: Director Joachim Rønning and actor-producer Jared Leto sit down to discuss their journey creating Tron: Ares. The pair unpack key moments and the striking visual, sonic and artistic philosophies that drive the storytelling both in and out of the Grid.
- Cast Conversations: Join the cast in candid conversations as they reflect on stepping into character, memorable on-set experiences, funny anecdotes and personal insights. Get a glimpse of the off-screen camaraderie that shines in their electric on-screen synergy.
- The Legacy Of Tron: Decades after Tron first took the world by storm, and with Tron: Legacy in between, there’s loads of nostalgia to mine for Tron: Ares. Catch some clever easter eggs and noteworthy cameos as this enduring franchise continues to leave its mark.
- Deleted Scenes:
- Seth’s Date
- Burning Man
- Lisberger Cameo
“Under Siege” (Arrow)
Our final Arrow release in one of the best months in the company’s history is this Andrew Davis banger, the action blockbuster that made Steven Seagal a star way back in 1992. The martial arts goofball plays Casey Ryback, a former Navy SEAL who is the chef on a U.S. Navy battleship that is taken over by mercenaries. Seagal’s best film was a huge hit, grossing over $150 million worldwide and even earning two Oscar nominations.
Arrow commissioned a new 4K restoration and a new commentary from the wonderful Davis, one of the most eloquent and likable guys in the business. There’s a new interview with him, Erika Eleniak, and more. Sadly, no one checked in with Steven. Or maybe they did and chose not to include it.
Special Features
- NEW 4K RESTORATION from the original camera negative by Arrow Films approved by director Andrew Davis
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Original lossless stereo audio and a brand new Dolby Atmos mix
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand new audio commentary with director Andrew Davis and writer J.F. Lawton
- I’m on a Boat (With a Bomb), a newly filmed interview with director Andrew Davis
- One of the Guys, a newly filmed interview with actor Erika Eleniak
- A Tight Ship, a newly filmed interview with actor Damian Chapa
- The Introvision Files, a newly filmed interview with visual effects supervisor William Mesa
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Vern and a serial fiction by Martyn Pedler
The first “Wicked” film in 2024 was nominated for multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress, winning two trophies. The follow-up a year later? Not a single nomination. What happened here? It can be partly blamed on the decision to split the play into two films, especially since the first act ends with such a showstopper as “Defying Gravity.” People felt they didn’t need to see any more. Although, to be fair, this movie made over half a billion worldwide, so it’s hard to call it any kind of failure, even if it fell several hundred million below the first. Most importantly for this column, fans probably want to know that Universal has LOADED up the physical release, including a sing-along version of the film. It’s … wonderful.
Special Features
- SING-ALONG – ALTERNATE FEATURE-LENGTH VERSION – Rejoicify! The time has come to raise your voice and unleash the magic of Oz. Sing with all your heart as Elphaba and Glinda’s destiny unfolds in the spellbinding Sing-Along Edition of WICKED: FOR GOOD.
- DELETED SCENES
- Brick Making – A musical montage shows Munchkins busily shaping and painting brilliant golden bricks, bringing the Yellow Brick Road to life.
- Glinda Train Tour – As Glinda leaves Emerald City, the citizens erupt into musical fanfare, sending her off with radiant cheers and lavish celebration – Featuring Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh and Bowen Yang
- Even You, Fiyero* – Elphaba retreats to her lair, wrestling with the sting of Fiyero’s betrayal and the weight of her heartbreak – Featuring Cynthia Erivo
- Return to the Governor’s Mansion* – Lost and abandoned, Elphaba returns to the one place she swore she’d left behind – her childhood home – Featuring Cynthia Erivo
- Friendship Montage – A lively montage unfolds as Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Boq, and Nessarose spend a carefree afternoon together—playing games, laughing, and relaxing over a cheerful picnic – Featuring Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
- The Wizard is Sentimental – Glinda steps into her ethereal bubble to float above Emerald City, contrasted with the Wizard’s nostalgic hot air balloon ascension as he reprises “A Sentimental Man” – Featuring Ariana Grande and Jeff Goldblum
- MAKING WICKED: FOR GOOD – Step behind the curtain for an exclusive look at the magic of Oz. Through never-before-seen footage and candid interviews, discover how the cast and crew brought this epic story to life—from the artistry of building Oz brick-by-brick to the challenge of filming two sweeping productions at once. A talent-led journey you won’t want to miss.
- THE TRUE WIZARD – An exploration of why Jon M. Chu was the ideal director to bring WICKED: FOR GOOD from stage to screen. See how his inventiveness as a filmmaker and passion for WICKED are key ingredients for the humanity and joy we feel in every shot.
- MORE THAN JUST A PLACE – A closer look at Elphaba’s new song in WICKED: FOR GOOD. Cynthia Erivo, Jon M. Chu, Stephen Schwartz, and others reflect on its emotional resonance, Elphaba’s vulnerability, and the expressive movement artists portraying the animal characters she sings to.
- THE GIRL IN THE BUBBLE – A closer look at Glinda’s brand new song for the WICKED: FOR GOOD film. Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu, Stephen Schwartz, and more discuss how the song comes at such a pivotal moment for Glinda why filming the sequence was such a feat of technical mastery.
- KIAMO KO – Return to Kiamo Ko, where the film’s climax unfolds. Cast and filmmakers reflect on Elphaba’s embrace of her identity as the Wicked Witch, the poignant reunion with Glinda, and the bittersweet consequences that follow in this emotionally charged sequence.
- FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR JON M. CHU
“Yi Yi” (Criterion)
Edward Yang’s masterpiece has been given a 4K restoration by Criterion and released in HD for the first time. What more could possibly be written about one of the most acclaimed films of its era? I love this passage from Roger’s review: “Our films have little time for thought, and our characters are often too superficial for their decisions to have any meaning–they’re just plot points. But the people in “Yi Yi” live considered lives.” They truly do, and that’s what makes them so memorable.
Special Features
- New 4K digital restoration, with original theatrical 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- Alternate 5.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Audio commentary featuring writer-director Edward Yang and Asian-cinema critic Tony Rayns
- Interview with Rayns about Yang and the New Taiwan Cinema movement
- U.S. theatrical trailer
- Original English subtitle translation by Yang and Rayns
- PLUs: An essay by critic Kent Jones and notes from the director
