Most geeky individuals would be happy to find, among their Christmas presents, some stellar viewing materials that can keep them entertained well into the New Year. But in this world where so many of us already have Netflix, Amazon Prime and/or Now TV, it’s getting tougher to know what box-sets to buy for people.
That’s where the Den Of Geek home viewing gift guide comes in! In the article below, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite new box-sets, any of which would make binge-worthy Yuletide gifts for that lovable nerd on your Christmas list. And if you fancy making a purchase at any point while reading our guide, we won’t be offended if you click away…
Our pick of the best box-sets to buy this Christmas
Disney Classics Complete Box-set (55 films!)
The ultimate gift for any Disney fan, this gorgeous box-set compiles 55 movies from the Mouse House, dating from 1937 to 2018. Starting with the classic Snow White and wrapping up with the modern magic of Moana, binge-watching this collection would be a journey through animated history complete with all your favourites (and the ones that creeped you at as a kid… ruddy Fantasia!). The only sticking point is the price: the DVD version is £200, while the Blu-ray edition is £250. But can you put a price on owning this many iconic films forever?
Batman: The Animated Series (finally on Blu-ray!)
Batman: The Animated Series, which ran from 1992 to 1995, is widely regarding as one of the finest adaptations of Gotham’s Dark Knight. Taking the iconic cowl-wearing comic book character and plonking him into a film-noir-inspired world was a winning approach, which led to four Emmy Awards, 85 excellent episodes and legions of loyal fans. This show also features the original introduction of Harley Quinn, as well as the iconic vocal pairing of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. Whether they’re discovering it for the first time or reliving this series as a long-term follower, this new Blu-ray box-set would be a real Christmas treat for any Bat-fan.
Sharp Objects
People that don’t have Sky may have missed out on Sharp Objects, which is a shame, because Sharp Objects is great. We called this HBO limited series “an intense, grippy mystery thriller” in our spoiler-free review, and we praised Amy Adams for her “sheer quality” turn as small-town reporter Camille Preaker. If you know someone that couldn’t watch this twisty treat on its initial broadcast, gift them the Blu-ray box-set and wait for the thanks to come rolling in.
Deadpool: The Complete Collection (For Now)
Nothing says Merry Christmas like the murdery mayhem of Marvel’s Merc With The Mouth, and, as such, Fox has slapped on some new festive Deadpool box art for this 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray box set. You get Deadpool, Deadpool 2 and the Super Duper Deadpool 2 extended cut, as well as Deadpool Christmas card and that snazzy seasonal packaging. If you know someone that really loves Ryan Reynold’s wise-cracking Wade Wilson, this would be an ideal stocking filler.
Harry Potter – Complete 8-Film Collection
If watching Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald made you want to go back and watch all the classic Harry Potter films – scouring the text for allusions to Grindelwald, perhaps, or watching Nagini closely for any displays of human emotion – this is the box-set for you. Rather than waiting for the ITV re-runs or hoping the films pop up on Netflix, proud owners of this £40 Blu-ray box set can summon the Potter magic whenever they fancy.
Rocky: The Undisputed Collection
No one could dispute the value-for-money going on here: with this Rocky box set, which costs just £12.99 in Blu-ray form, you get all six of Sylvester Stallone’s pre-Creed boxing movies. If you know someone that’s come to the series through the Creed films, gifting this box-set will enable them to discover the original franchise’s weird and wonderful offerings: from the Oscar-winning original through to the belated sixth instalment, Rocky Balboa, via loads of great fights and a smattering of misplaced robots.
George Romero: Between Night And Dawn
Allow a horror fan to delve into the back catalogue of the late, great George Romero with this beautiful box-set, which compiles three fantastic flicks that he made between his breakthrough hit Night Of The Living Dead and the genre masterpiece Dawn Of The Dead. The three films included – There’s Always Vanilla, Season Of The Witch and The Crazies – prove that Romero was more than ‘just’ a master of zombie gore. Also, what a great title for a box-set!
Dynasties: The Rise and Fall of Animal Families
With ear-pleasing narration from the legendary Sir David Attenborough and a visual feast of HD images captured over a period of years, Dynasties may sound like a rather familiar BBC production. But what sets this series apart from its predecessors is a focus on individual stories: each episode zooms in on one family of animals, at a vital time in their lives when partnerships must be forged and heirs sired, while danger and death lurk across every landscape. It’s like Game Of Thrones with gorillas, basically, so gift it to someone that loves nature docs and drama!
Or, if you’re looking to break away from the screen this Chrimbo, check out our guide to this year’s most gift-worthy nerdy books!