Don’t let anybody tell you that physical media doesn’t matter, because it does, especially at a time when big corporations are removing series or films from their streaming platforms with little cause or justification. Often, if a series is removed, there’s no way to see it again. That’s a serious problem, and while I still buy content, specifically on iTunes, I’m aware of the shifty notion that I don’t own what I’m buying. Consider me selective and price-conscious.
On that note, there are television series that find themselves on store shelves in DVD and Blu-ray formats, often at reasonable prices and with bonus content you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s a selection of titles that you can find at your local retailer that could make someone very happy this holiday season.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker: The Complete Series
The log line: Kolchak: The Night Stalker, the uniquely eerie mystery series that paved the way for The X-Files, comes to DVD with all 20 original one-hour episodes of the 1974-1975 series. Emmy nominee Darren McGavin stars as Carl Kolchak, a headstrong investigative reporter on the trail of the paranormal: zombies, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, succubi and even aliens. No matter how unnatural or unbelievable, Kolchak is there to uncover the truth…one supernatural threat at a time.
Who it’s for: Fans of The X-Files, Supernatural, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Columbo and classic monster of the week storytelling. Kolchak: The Night Stalker is a classic ’70s television series, and this DVD set is incredibly inexpensive if you know where to look.
Night Gallery: The Complete Series
The log line: Prepare for the chill of a lifetime as the master of suspense, Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone), hosts 98 stories of terror in this classic series, featuring every spine-tingling episode from all three seasons of Night Gallery. Directed by cinematic masters like Steven Spielberg, and with guest performances by Hollywood legends like Diane Keaton, Joan Crawford, Sally Field, Mickey Rooney and more, this collector’s complete series set is one not to miss.
Who it’s for: Anybody who loves The Twilight Zone and is looking for more short story supernatural tales; Rod Serling fans who can’t get enough of “that” voice; television viewers who remember the days of great anthology storytelling.
You can order Night Gallery: The Complete Series here.
Spencer: For Hire The Complete Series
The log line: In the shadows of Boston, Spenser (Robert Urich), a former cop with a poet’s soul and a fighter’s fists, solves crimes in his own uniquely stylish way. A true Renaissance man, he faces danger head-on, backed by his formidable ally Hawk (Avery Brooks) and contacts inside the police department. While he’s unstoppable on the streets, his love life stalls as his longtime love (Barbara Stock) refuses to marry a man whose life is a constant dance with death.
Who it’s for: Fans of ’80s crime and detective shows like Magnum P.I., Simon and Simon, and Remington Steele; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fans looking to catch up on a pre-Sisko Avery Brooker.
You can order: Spencer: For Hire The Complete Series here.
Robot Chicken: The Complete Series
The log line: Celebrate 20 years of Robot Chicken’s rapid-fire “channel flips” and relive all of their twisted takes on pop culture through the seasons. The quarter-hour show brings action figures and toys to life in three-dimensional worlds through the old-school magic of stop-motion animation.
Who it’s for: Pop culture fans of all sorts, who love a good and hearty laugh; He-Man, G.I. Joe and Star Wars aficionados; anyone with short attention spans.
You can order Robot Chicken: The Complete Series here.
The Handmaid’s Tale: The Complete Series
The log line: The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of the dystopian Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the U.S. Facing a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a fundamentalism regime that treats women as property. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred is a Handmaid, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as an attempt to repopulate a devastated world. Offred navigates between Commanders, their wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids.
Who it’s for: Revolutionaries, feminists, and anyone against the patriarchy, either on screen or in today’s society; Elisabeth Moss and Margaret Atwood devotees.
You can order The Handmaid’s Tale: The Complete Series here.
The Last of Us Seasons 1 & 2
The log line for Season 1: After a global pandemic destroys civilization, a hardened survivor takes charge of a 14-year-old girl who may be humanity’s last hope.
The log line for Season 2: Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure. As she hunts those responsible one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.
Who it’s for: Anybody who appreciates their drama with some monsters; audiences who wish The Walking Dead was still on the air; fans of excellent video game adaptations; Pedro Pascal lovers.
You can order The Last of Us Season 1 here.
You can order The Last of Us Season 2 here.
Yellowstone: The Complete Series
The log line: Starring Academy Award winner Kevin Costner and created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone is the epic saga of the Dutton family, owners of the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the U.S., as they fight to protect their legacy against land developers, political enemies, and threats from within. Across five gripping seasons, this bold, uncompromising portrait of family, loyalty, and power unfolds with intense drama, unforgettable characters, and sweeping Western landscapes.
Includes all 53 episodes and over 19 hours of special features, with interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and more.
Who it’s for: Fans of shows like Dynasty and Dallas from the 1980s, but who crave less crazy and more drama; Kevin Costner fans who wish he had his priorities right; the ongoing Taylor Sheridan fandom.
You can order Yellowstone: The Complete Series here.
