- Netflix is releasing physical editions of TV megahit Stranger Things
- Stranger Things: The Complete Series will be available to buy in late July
- The launch will coincide with the supernatural sci-fi horror show’s 10th anniversary
Netflix has revealed plans to release full, Blu-Ray boxsets of its hugely successful TV show Stranger Things — but they won’t come cheap.
To coincide with — and celebrate — the program’s 10th anniversary on July 15, Stranger Things: The Complete Series marks the first time that all five seasons will be available on Blu-Ray and 4K UHD. Physical editions of the supernatural sci-fi horror show, which have been created by Arrow Films in collaboration with Netflix, will go on sale on July 27 (UK) and July 28 (US and Canada).
Image 1 of 2
However, from today (March 19), fans can pre-order their copy online from Arrow Films’ UK and North American websites. The collection will also be available through all major in-store and online retailers in other territories.
Article continues below
“We always dreamed that Stranger Things could be owned in its entirety,” franchise creators Matt and Ross Duffer said in a statement. “Not just as a collector’s set, but as a way to preserve the show for decades to come.”
Special and Deluxe editions of Stranger Things: The Complete Series will be purchasable, and come equipped with myriad exclusive bonus content. Additionally, the Deluxe edition will feature exclusive box art and a wealth of other physical materials, including a 148-page booklet, Hellfire Club patch, posters, art cards, and Stranger Things-themed d20 dice for your Dungeons and Dragons sessions.
Here’s a full breakdown of the special features that’ll be included in the Special and Deluxe editions, and the physical memorabilia that’ll make up the Deluxe edition (NB: these extras will be denoted by an asterisks):
- High-Definition (1080p) Blu-ray / 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation of all 42 episodes across 25 discs
- Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround and stereo audio for all episodes, plus Dolby Atmos for seasons 4 and 5
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Optional audio description tracks
- Interviews with the cast and crew
- Behind-the-scenes featurettes
- Set tours
- Bloopers
- Deluxe packaging including brand new wraparound box artwork by Juan Ramos*
- Palace Arcade alloy-zinc coin-token*
- Self-adhesive Hellfire Club patch*
- Exclusive Hellfire Club d20 dice*
- 25 art cards from all 5 seasons*
- 5 double-sided posters featuring original artwork by Kyle Lambert*
- Reversible sleeves featuring brand new artwork by Juan Ramos and original artwork by Kyle Lambert*
- Double-sided fold-out Hawkins map*
- 148-page perfect-bound artbook including original design sketches, concept art, storyboards, and new writing on the making of the series from the Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, Andrew Stanton, Kyle Dixon, and more*
How much does each version of Stranger Things: The Complete Series cost?
I hope you’re sitting down for this, because all editions of Stranger Things: The Complete Series will make a dent in your bank balance.
Indeed, starting at $199.99 in the US and £149.99 in the UK, the Special Blu-Ray edition is the cheapest version on offer. From there, the cost only goes one way: up. Take a look at the prices for all four editions below:
- Special Blu-Ray edition: $199.99 / £149.99
- Special UHD edition: $219.99 / £159.99
- Deluxe Blu-Ray edition: $249.99 / £199.99
- Deluxe UHD edition: $269.99 / £219.99
Considering you can binge watch Stranger Things season 1 through 5 on the world’s best streaming service for as little as $7.99 a month (US) and £5.99 per month (UK), those are some eye-watering sums.
Still, this is the first time that the cultural phenomenon has been collated into a boxset. When you factor in the costs of putting them together, plus the fact that Netflix and Arrow Films will want to make a profit on each sale, those prices — while outlandish, especially amid a cost of living crisis — make sense. I suspect, then, that fans of physical media and Stranger Things won’t mind breaking the proverbial piggybank to secure their copy.
Will you be among them, or has the price and/or Stranger Things‘ middling final season put you off? Let me know in the comments.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.
Read the full article here
