Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 24, 2021

Universal has released four of its most treasured classic Monster movies from its vault -- 'Dracula,' 'Frankenstein,' 'The Wolf Man,' and 'The Invisible Man' -- to the UHD format. New specifications for each film include 2160p/HDR video. The main audio track and all legacy extras carry over from the 2013 Blu-ray releases. See below for links to individual films, a few words on the packaging, additional packaging options for three of the films, and a few real-world photos.

For full film reviews, please click through the following links; note that each link points to the respective film's 2013 Blu-ray:

• Dracula
• Frankenstein
• The Wolf Man
• The Invisible Man

Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For full UHD video reviews, please click through the following links:

• Dracula
• Frankenstein
• The Wolf Man
• The Invisible Man

Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For full UHD audio reviews, please click through the following links; note that each link points to the respective film's 2013 Blu-ray:

• Dracula
• Frankenstein
• The Wolf Man
• The Invisible Man

Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Of first note is that three of these four films are available individually as Best Buy exclusive SteelBooks (why The Invisible Man did not, or has not yet, received similar treatment is anyone's guess). Please click through these links for full SteelBook reviews and real-world photos:

• Dracula
• Frankenstein
• The Wolf Man

Universal ships the 4K "Universal Classic Monsters Icons of Horror Collection" in a handsome and relatively sturdy eight-disc DigiBook-style package. The cover features the same collage artwork as the outer slip box (which also includes, on the rear, the usual tech specs, info clusters, legalese, and so on and so forth). There is embossed lettering on the slip box's front, spine, and top. The DigiBook's rear cover features the old-timey Universal logo with the plane circling the globe. The first and last pages in the DigiBook include full-page black-and-white photos, one from each film, and for Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolf Man the same image seen on the respective SteelBook covers. Each film then receives a color poster image on the left hand side and additional black-and-white stills from the film on the right. The UHD disc slips into each page's left-hand side and the Blu-ray on the right. There are format identifying banners at the top of each page. The left side contains the year the film was released and the right side includes a blurb and bonus features listings.

For a breakdown of the included supplemental content, please click through the following links:

• Dracula
• Frankenstein
• The Wolf Man
• The Invisible Man

Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The bottom line is that this is a fabulous set. While no new audio tracks or supplements are included, the new 2160p/HDR presentations are first-rate and breathe new life into four treasured classics. This set earns my highest recommendation.