The Blu-ray Show

Episode 11 is here, and this one’s a little different — we’re finally recording in person! After months of virtual episodes, James and Aiden link up during their trip to the Manchester Film Festival for a weekend packed with movies, Blu-ray hunting, and plenty of physical media chat.

As always, we run through the latest Blu-ray and 4K releases, including titles like Anaconda, The Prestige, Dunkirk, and Ben-Hur—plus some standout collector’s editions and packaging highlights. We also take a closer look at recent pickups and unboxings, including a few surprises and bargains. The main focus this week is all about the latest news in the physical media world.

We dive into the newly released trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, sharing our thoughts, concerns, and excitement around what looks like a packed—and potentially chaotic—next chapter for Spider-Man. We also discuss upcoming 4K releases for Click and 50 First Dates, debating whether comedies really need the 4K treatment and where collectors should draw the line.

Finally, we break down the biggest announcement of the week: the massive Stranger Things complete series box set from Arrow Video. From pricing and packaging to what this means for Netflix titles on physical media, we give our full reactions to one of the most surprising releases of the year.

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Apple Podcasts • https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id...

Spotify • https://open.spotify.com/show/4kYquss...

Instagram • / theblurayshow

TikTok • https://www.tiktok.com/theblurayshow

James • / @movieswithjames

Aiden • / @aidensphysicalmedia

In Episode 10 of The Blu-ray Show, James and Aiden discuss the latest Blu-ray and 4K physical media releases, including Arrow Video titles like Spaceballs and The Chronicles of Riddick, alongside new releases such as Christy and Alpha. They also share their picks of the week and reflect on a quieter release schedule.

In the news segment, the hosts cover upcoming 4K Blu-ray releases and collector updates, including Fall on 4K, inconsistencies with The Strangers franchise formats, and the Cobra Kai complete series Blu-ray box set. They also discuss streaming films like Tick, Tick… Boom! and the ongoing demand for more Netflix titles on physical media.

The main topic focuses on boutique Blu-ray labels including Arrow Video, Criterion, MUBI, and Second Sight. The discussion explores collector habits, premium packaging, special features, and whether physical media is shifting towards packaging over practicality. They also debate pricing, limited editions, shelf space challenges, and the value of collector’s editions in today’s market.

The episode wraps with anticipation for the Manchester Film Festival, where the hosts plan to create in-person content, film reviews, and Blu-ray hunting videos.

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Apple Podcasts • https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1866418639

Spotify • https://open.spotify.com/show/4kYqussoYiSYRJQLZePikf

Instagram • https://www.instagram.com/theblurayshow

TikTok • https://www.tiktok.com/theblurayshow

James • https://www.youtube.com/@MoviesWithJames

Aiden • https://www.youtube.com/@aidensphysicalmedia

In Episode 9 of The Blu-ray Show, James and Aiden return after a short break to catch up on recent cinema visits, upcoming trips to the Manchester Film Festival, and the latest Blu-ray and 4K physical media releases. They discuss new releases including Scream 7 and Hoppers, sharing mixed reactions and ranking entries in the Scream franchise.

The episode also covers a busy week of new Blu-ray and 4K releases, including Wicked: For Good, Zootropolis 2, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Arrow Video’s Child’s Play 2 & 3 in 4K, Criterion releases like The Breakfast Club and 3:10 to Yuma, and several boutique label titles.

In the news segment, they discuss upcoming steelbook releases and collector editions, including Scream 7, the Dollars Trilogy 4K box set, and House of the Seven Kingdoms. The hosts also share their experiences with steelbook collecting, pre-orders, and rising resale prices.

The main topic of the episode focuses on movie hot takes, with the hosts reacting to controversial opinions such as whether Ryan Gosling and Glen Powell are overrated, if Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the best Star Wars film, the value of steelbooks, streaming vs physical media collecting, and whether Blu-ray is actually a better format than 4K for most collectors.

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James • / @movieswithjames

Aiden • / @aidensphysicalmedia

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In Episode 8 of The Blu-ray Show, James and Aiden catch up on recent cinema trips and what they’ve been watching before diving into the latest Blu-ray and 4K physical media releases. Highlights of the week include Predator: Badlands, Arrow Video’s Excalibur and Westworld, Radiance’s The Stuntman, and several new boutique label releases from 88 Films and Second Sight.

The episode also covers recent film news and casting announcements, including rumours around the next James Bond, updates on a live-action Scooby-Doo series starring McKenna Grace, and unexpected industry news such as Plane 2 reportedly being scrapped.

In the trailer discussion, the hosts react to The Mandalorian & Grogu, Lee Cronin’s darker horror take on The Mummy, and the dark comedy Over Your Dead Body.

The main topic celebrates 10 years of 4K Blu-ray, with James and Aiden reflecting on the early days of collecting, the first 4K releases, changing prices, and how the format has evolved over the past decade. They also discuss the future of physical media, including Dolby Vision advancements and whether formats like 8K Blu-ray could eventually become a reality.

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Apple Podcasts • https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id...

Spotify • https://open.spotify.com/show/4kYquss...

Instagram • / theblurayshow

TikTok • https://www.tiktok.com/theblurayshow

James • / @movieswithjames

Aiden • / @aidensphysicalmedia

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In Episode 7 of The Blu-ray Show, James and Aiden cover the latest 4K Blu-ray and physical media releases, recent cinema trips, and evolving collecting habits. They discuss films like The Strangers Chapter 3 and Crime 101, alongside personal watch challenges and revisiting classics on Blu-ray.

This week’s new Blu-ray and 4K releases include Sisu: Road to Revenge, We Bury the Dead, Good Boy, The Warriors, and All the President’s Men, plus a range of titles from boutique labels like Arrow Video, Criterion, and Hammer. Picks of the week go to We Bury the Dead and the Thunderbirds anniversary box set.

In the news, they react to upcoming 4K steelbooks and collector’s editions, including The Da Vinci Code, Leaving Las Vegas, and Meet the Fockers, as well as the Spider-Noir trailer and new Star Wars gaming announcements.

The episode wraps with a discussion on slipcovers and collecting culture, exploring whether they still matter, the rise of double-dipping, and how priorities are shifting for modern Blu-ray and 4K collectors.

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FOLLOW US • https://linktr.ee/theblurayshow

James • https://www.youtube.com/@movieswithjames

Aiden • https://www.youtube.com/@aidensphysicalmedia

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► Business Contact • [email protected]

In this special bonus episode of The Blu-ray Show, James and Aiden are joined by fellow collector JustJoshings for a relaxed, free-flowing chat about films and physical media. The episode takes a more laid-back approach, focusing on collecting journeys, changing film tastes, and the realities of being a modern physical media fan.

Josh shares how he got into collecting, from early Blu-ray memories to developing a taste for more international and boutique cinema, while the group compare their own collecting styles. The discussion covers double-dipping, artwork-driven purchases, and whether 4K upgrades are always worth it, alongside frustrations with UK releases and the need to import certain titles.

They also talk home setups, from simple viewing setups to full home cinema experiences, and how that impacts buying decisions. The episode wraps up with a fun challenge, as each host chooses the films they’d keep if limited to just five. 🎬📀

► FOLLOW Josh:

TikTok • https://www.tiktok.com/@justjoshings

YouTube • ⁨@JustJoshingsYT⁩

Episode six of The Blu-ray Show sees James and Aiden catch up after a busy week, tease an upcoming bonus episode, and return to their usual Tuesday slot following last week’s technical hiccup. The episode opens with a relaxed catch-up covering YouTube growth, Letterboxd goals, and what they’ve been watching both at home and in cinemas.

Recent viewings include Mary Queen of Scots on 4K, Saipan in cinemas, first-time watches of Good Will Hunting and The Big Lebowski, and a broader discussion around personal film-watching challenges — from 365-film goals to prioritising back-catalogue classics over constant new releases. The pair also talk cinema habits, late-night screenings, format choices, and upcoming trips for films like Send Help, Goat, Crime 101, and Scream 7.

The new releases segment is packed this week, with discussion around Bugonia (4K and steelbook), Seven finally getting a standard 4K release, Lawrence of Arabia arriving in a widely available 4K Amaray, Puss in Boots titles on 4K, The Straight Story, Return of the Living Dead, and multiple boutique label releases. Picks of the week differ, with James choosing Lawrence of Arabia and Aiden opting for Seven.

In the news section, the conversation turns more analytical, covering UK vs US format disparities (Zootropolis Blu-ray only in the UK), upcoming releases like Greenland on 4K, surprise collector’s editions (Hamnet), and the unexpected trend of films skipping Blu-ray entirely in favour of 4K and even DVD. This leads into a broader debate on whether Blu-ray as a format is being quietly phased out, the role of steelbooks and collector editions, and how changing hardware habits may be shaping studio decisions.

The episode closes with a lively discussion on slipcovers — their value, declining availability, and whether collectors would accept cheaper releases without them — setting up a deeper dive into the topic for episode seven.

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FOLLOW US • https://linktr.ee/theblurayshow

James • https://www.youtube.com/@movieswithjames

Aiden • https://www.youtube.com/@aidensphysicalmedia

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► Business Contact • [email protected]

Episode five of The Blu-ray Show sees James and Aiden catch up on a busy week of cinema visits, physical media news, and listener questions. The episode opens with a quick update on Aiden’s recent channel rebrand and subscriber milestone before diving into what they’ve been watching, including cinema trips to Saipan and Avatar in IMAX, plus thoughts on recent home viewing.

The pair break down a stacked week of UK physical media releases, with highlights including Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Minority Report on 4K, Dogma finally arriving on 4K, and new steelbooks for F1 and Scream. Picks of the week differ this time, with Aiden choosing Springsteen and James opting for Dogma.

In the news segment, they discuss upcoming Criterion 4K releases (The Elephant Man), new steelbook announcements, and growing concerns around standard 4K releases lacking bonus features — particularly in contrast to increasingly feature-rich steelbooks. The episode also touches on IMAX re-releases, including The Revenant, and surprising industry news such as Zelda being linked to Netflix distribution.

The show wraps up with three listener questions covering streaming exclusives fans want on Blu-ray or 4K, how collectors manage and declutter their collections, and whether importing US releases is worth it. The discussion spans bootlegs, blind buys, region compatibility, and the evolving habits of modern physical media collectors.

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FOLLOW US • https://linktr.ee/theblurayshow

James • https://www.youtube.com/@movieswithjames

Aiden • https://www.youtube.com/@aidensphysicalmedia

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► Business Contact • [email protected]

Episode four of The Blu-ray Show is packed with film talk, physical media releases, and community discussion. Aiden and James kick things off by addressing last week’s brief channel takedown before diving into what they’ve been watching, including Drive, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Snack Shack, and recent cinema trips.

The pair discuss upcoming screenings, format choices, and plans for a first-ever true IMAX visit, before breaking down a stacked week of Blu-ray and 4K releases. Highlights include One Battle After Another, American Graffiti, Field of Dreams, The Blues Brothers, new Criterion 4Ks, Arrow releases, and major box sets, with One Battle After Another named Pick of the Week.

The episode also covers new trailers for Supergirl, Masters of the Universe, and Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, before wrapping up with the show’s first listener Q&A segment, answering questions about favourite films, 4K upgrades, and movies they can’t wait to share with their kids.

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James • https://www.youtube.com/@movieswithjames

Aiden • https://www.youtube.com/@aidensphysicalmedia

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► Business Contact • [email protected]

Welcome back to The Blu-ray Show! Episode three sees James (Movies with James) take hosting duties as he and Aidan (Aidan’s Physical Media) continue their weekly deep dive into cinema, collecting, and physical media culture.

With this episode recorded earlier than usual due to scheduling and a birthday celebration, the usual “what we watched this week” segment takes a back seat. Instead, the focus shifts to what’s coming up — both in cinemas and on physical media — making for a packed and discussion-heavy episode.

The hosts kick things off by looking ahead to a busy week at the UK box office, discussing upcoming cinema releases including No Other Choice, Saipan, H Is for Hawk, Mercy, and Return to Silent Hill. From Korean thrillers and football drama to emotionally driven character pieces, Aidan and James share which releases have their attention and which they’re hoping to catch on the big screen.

The conversation then moves into new Blu-ray and 4K releases for the week, including:

• Snakes on a Plane (4K)
• The Black Phone Part I & II
• The Smashing Machine
• Roof Man
• Boutique label titles from Arrow, Criterion, and Eureka

With release date shifts, format frustrations, and surprise steelbooks in the mix, the pair weigh up value, presentation, and collectability before choosing their Pick of the Week — a unanimous win for Roof Man.

The second half of the episode launches a brand-new ongoing topic for 2026: 20 Years of Blu-ray. James and Aidan reflect on their earliest memories of the format, their first Blu-ray purchases, PlayStation 3 as a gateway player, and how their collections evolved from niche beginnings into the shelves you see today. The discussion expands into why physical media still matters — from intentional viewing and home cinema experiences to passing film love on to the next generation.

The episode also introduces a new interactive segment for future shows, encouraging listeners and viewers to leave questions in the YouTube comments to be answered on upcoming episodes.

Whether you’re a long-time collector, a cinema regular, or someone who just loves talking films, episode three offers thoughtful discussion, nostalgia, and plenty of physical media passion.

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James • https://www.youtube.com/@movieswithjames

Aiden • https://www.youtube.com/@aidensphysicalmedia

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► Business Contact • [email protected]