Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker October 8, 2024

Just in time for Halloween, Universal brings their eight (nine counting the Spanish version of 'Dracula') classic horror films back to life once again with the 'Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K'. Horror and film fans alike will undoubtedly delight in the eight previously released 4K discs for 'Dracula", 'Frankenstein', 'The Mummy', 'The Invisible Man', 'The Bride of Frankenstein', 'The Wolf Man', 'Phantom of the Opera', and 'Creature From the Black Lagoon' packaged together here in this money and space-saving release. In addition to the films, the discs contain all of the previous legacy features and clock in at over 12 hours of further viewing. The eight discs are found in two four-disc cases, which in turn are housed in an attractive slipbox containing iconic images of the macabre stars of these films. A Digital Code is also included.

For an in-depth discussion of the films themselves, please follow the links below.

"Dracula"

"Frankenstein"

"The Mummy"

"The Invisible Man"

"The Bride of Frankenstein"

"The Wolf Man"

"Phantom of the Opera"

"Creature From the Black Lagoon"

Please note that since this is a collection of the 4K presentations of these films, the 3D Blu-ray of Creature From the Black Lagoon is not included here. Collectors who wish to own the 3D presentation will need to obtain that film or set separately.

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For a detailed discussion of the 4K presentations, please follow the links below.

"Dracula"

"Frankenstein"

"The Mummy"

"The Invisible Man"

"The Bride of Frankenstein"

"The Wolf Man"

"Phantom of the Opera"

"Creature From the Black Lagoon"

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a detailed discussion of the audio presentations, please follow the links below.

"Dracula"

"Frankenstein"

"The Mummy"

"The Invisible Man"

"The Bride of Frankenstein"

"The Wolf Man"

"Phantom of the Opera"

"Creature From the Black Lagoon"

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Inside the slipbox which features headshots of the eight timeless movie monsters, are two four-disc cases. Each disc is secured on its own hub, one per side of the two interior pages. The first case contains Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Invisible Man, while the second contains The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera, and Creature From the Black Lagoon. Each case likewise displays images of the monsters featured in the films found within. A booklet is not included, but a Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere is.

For a full accounting of the special features included on each 4K disc, please follow the links below.

"Dracula"

"Frankenstein"

"The Mummy"

"The Invisible Man"

"The Bride of Frankenstein"

"The Wolf Man"

"Phantom of the Opera"

"Creature From the Black Lagoon"

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Film fans who have not yet added these classic titles to their collections should strongly consider adding the Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K box set to their libraries. From a cost perspective, it is less expensive than purchasing the titles individually, and it's also cheaper than the oversized book packaging of the Universal Classic Monsters: Limited Edition Collection 4K released back in February of this year. As the title indicates, this release contains only the core eight films (nine counting the Spanish version of Dracula) in stunning 4K, with none of the other sequels or the 3D version of Creature From the Black Lagoon found herein. However, it should be noted that the battery of sequels has not yet migrated to 4K. As a result, hardcore horror fans will still, no doubt, wish to either purchase or hang on to the previously released Complete Legacy Collection for each monster. On the strength not only of the films themselves but also their 4K presentations, the Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection 4K comes highly recommended.