While it is evident the collectibility of DVD's as they become out of print, some DVD's that are released have that very intention of becoming collectible. Specifically, I am referring to DVD's that are limited in quantity which push the collector to race for it. There are, perhaps, more DVD's than I can actually list in this article that would fall under this catergory, however, my hope is to cover the highlights of past editions, current and up and coming editions. I should also mention here that DVD's stating on their covers "Special Edition", "Limited Edition" or "Collector's Edition" by no means suggests they will be rare or are limited in any way.

Independent Studios

Barrel Entertainment released the duet of Nekromantik and Nekromantik 2. The former is a special edition with some nice extras, while the second is a 2-disc edition that is limited to only 20,000 copies. These two films are very popular and sell for almost better than retail price. Nekromantik 2 is becoming more difficult to attain a copy at retail price, but not impossible (as of this writing).

The world of Japanimation or Japanese Animation or Manga or Anime or, whatever the correct word that applies here, has brought about many various kinds of limited edition sets from collectors, to boxed sets to special edition and limited number editions. It is an extremely popular art form for the ant-Disney as it tends toward more adult themes, particualrly sex and violence (although not exhibit these behaviors). There are 2 DVD sets that I remember first being released and going out of print in a short while and seeing the prices skyrocket in the ensuing months. The first of these is the Escaflowne - The Series (Limited Edition Boxed Set), which was an 8 disc boxed set limited to only 10,000 sets. Pioneer Entertainment released this set with the series in its entirety, uncut, and with an action figure.

The other boxed set that I recall is a similar set known as Cowboy Bebop - The Perfect Sessions (Limited Edition Complete Series Boxed Set)This set, also released by Pioneer Video, was limited to only 5,000 sets. Considered to be one of the best anime projects ever continues to be a sought after edition. Both of these boxed sets have been riddles with "imports" and bootlegs. Cowboy Bebop specifically because the import edition has lower quality and is not of the same version that the boxed set offers (read some of the Amazon reviews). Accordingly, the Bebop sessions need to be the Bandai version, which are available individually. Also released by Bandai is from the .hack series a boxed set .hack//SIGN (Vol. 1) - Limited Edition. This set, only limited to 15,000 sets, comes with a plush doll, a t-shirt, a cd soundtrack and a postcard and stickers.

Since the popularity of X-Men, Spider-Man and the revolution of comic book movies, DVD documentaries and other comic related items have sprung up. From Heritage Comics comes this DVD, Stan Lee DVD Limited Signature Edition!. Yes, you get Stan Lee's auto right on the cover, numbered to only 500 copies. A very limited DVD indeed, however, not without a cost as this DVD is a bit pricey. It from a comic series titled Stan Lee Presents Comic Book Greats which have receved mixed reviews overall. For the lover of comic books, these might be a fun collection.

Cult Epics

A small company like Cult Epics will certainly cater to a specific type of genre or style of filmmaking that appeals to a certain audience. So, with that you will not have a large library to choose from, however, each film release will appear special and put together with care. That is how I feel about this company.

Their release of the special edition of The Beast (3-Disc Special Edition) is one of those cases. Why this film might be worth checking out is due to it being perhaps one of the most erotic horror movies I have ever seen. In my opinion more erotic than anything 'Story of O' put together or anything Jess Franco has mustered up. Walerian Borowczyk has struck the erotic nerve for quite a while with his films (and Cult Epics also released his last film, Love Rites). His most famous is perhaps Immoral Tales. The special 3-disc edition of La Bete is limited to only 10,000 copies. The set includes the original theatrical edition and then the complete version, which is some odd minutes longer. The second disc provided includes many moments behind the scenes shooting and making the film La Bete. Unfortunately these do not come with sound (I think it was shot on 8 or 16mm). Also comes with a very nice booklet that is about 40 pages.

Another limited DVD is the Abel Ferrara classic Driller Killer. As some of the reviewers note, this does seem like a seedy version of Taxi Driver (if that is possible). While it is low budget, all of the acting is competent and special effects are relatively allowable. Because the story has such a gritty attitude to it, you almost look beyond the aesthetical aspect and get caught up in the depravity of the people in the film. This edition is limited to only 10,000 copies and also includes Abel's earlier short works as well as original theatrical trailers. For those that do not know, it includes the trailer to Nine Lives of a Wet Pussy, which is the porno that Abel directed under the name Jimmy Boy.

Lastly we have the strange and bizarre film called Pig. Directed By Nico B. and starred Rozz Williams who was a musician and poet (or artist of multiple interests). The film is an experimental short which runs about 30 minutes in length and has no sound, shot in black and white. The film is supposed to be an "exorcism" of some sort for the directors. It is visually unique and upsetting at times, but other times it seemed empty. The DVD is extremely limited, only 1334 copies were made and 250 were limited with signitures by Nico B. These were only available through mail orders. I have yet to see one on line or else where. Rozz Williams killed himself shortly after the film was made making this film a strange and prophetic film. It is not the first time such things have occured, but always makes things the more curious. One of the nicer part of the DVD is the booklet that comes with it. Very strange and occultish manuscript that is a replica of the book found in the film. Pretty cool.

Cult Epics also released two films by director Fernando Arraba who directed Viva la Muerte and I Will Walk Like a Crazy Horse (J'irai Comme un Cheval Fou), both are currently out of print. Cult Epics has announced that it will released a 3 disc set featuring these two films in addition to another film, The Guernica Tree. No statement on how limited these will be, just "limited".

Anchor Bay

Anchor Bay has probably released the most popular of the numbered limited editions. Two DVD's, from my experience, has shown remarkable interest in the awakening of DVD collectibility, and that is the Halloween: Restored Limited Edition and Army of Darkness: Special Edition limited editions. These were both presented with double disc keep cases and the Halloween also had a holographic cover to show the transition of pumpkin to Michael Myers, both editions limited to 30,000.

In addition to these, Anchor Bay also released limited in number Tin sets of Halloween 4 - The Return of Michael Myers (Limited Edition) (15,000) and Halloween 5- Limited Edition Tin (40,000). There is also a limited Halloween - Television Version (Limited Edition) and, while it is out of print, it is not limited in number, although stated a "Limited Edition". Army of Darkness, also known as Evil Dead III has its prequels Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2, both released by Anchor Bay in Limited Editions. The Evil Dead (Book Of The Dead Limited Edition) is stated as a limited edition, but no number appears. Evil Dead II is a limited edition Tin of 50,000, a considerably larger run than other editions, however, in the grand scheme, it is relatively a small run.

The tin sets that Anchor Bay released usually have extras in the nature of props, booklets, etc., while other limited editions are just the DVD's in keep cases. The DVD's that are in the tins are stored in jewel cases. The tins have recently become popular and we are going to list them here (excluding those mentioned above):

Heathers (Limited Edition Tin) (15,000)
Hellraiser / Hellbound - Hellraiser II (30,000)
Let the Sleeping Corpses Lie (Limited Edition) (5,000)
The Beyond (Limited Edition) (20,000)
Maniac (Limited Edition) (5,000)
Repo Man (Special Edition) (30,000)
Two-Lane Blacktop (15,000)
Candy Limited Edition (Numbered Edition) (16,000)
The Wicker Man (Limited Edition)(50,000)

While not every numbered limited edition came in a nice tin or wooden box, other editions are available in a double disc set or slip case format. Many are still available, however, some have been around for a while now:

Suspiria (3 Disc Limited Edition) (60,000)
Opera (30,000)
Bad Taste (Limited Edition) (50,000)
The Stunt Man (Limited Edition) (100,000)
Manhunter (Director's Cut, Limited Edition Set) (100,000)
Supergirl (Limited 2-Disc Special Edition)(50,000)

Blue Underground

Blue Underground, a newer DVD company, has put together a small population of limited edition DVD's. Blue Underground deals primarily with exploitation, euro-trash-horror, and grindhouse horror types. The adventure film The Final Countdown (2-Disc Limited Special Edition) stars Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen. This set is limited to 100,000. Perhaps the most appealing limited edition comes in the form of the Mondo Cane Collection - Limited Edition Boxed Set, which Blue Underground explains is the "most ambitious and controversial boxed set ever!" It is a very nice set, the exterior slip case iis a clear plastic printed. While the retail price is enough to make you step back and think before buying, the fact that only 10,000 of these may make you want one of these babies. If that is not enough, it might be comforting that these DVD's are not available in single formats - you can only get them in this set. Each film presented in its full feature length format or director's cut. There is also a documentary on Jacopetti and Prosperi, the Fathers of Mondo. Another boxed set is the Larry Cohen Collection, a curiously bad-ass filmmaker Larry Cohen. This set comes with the modern mythological horror film Q - The Winged Serpent, God Told Me To and Bone. This set is limited to only 20,000 copies, while the individual films are available independent of the set and not limited unto themselves. For you blood and guts fans, check out Dead and Buried, the classic horror from Gary Sherman. This 2-disc set is limited to 50,000 which features interviews with Robert Englund (of Nightmare on Elmstreet fame) and Stan Winston (perhaps one of the most famous special effects artists). In the tradition of Italian Horror comes the work of George Romero and Dario Argento, both co-directing Two Evil Eyes, creating this film inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe. This 2-disc set is limited to 30,000 copies and features interviews with the directors, Harvey Keitel, Asia Argento (Dario's daughter) and Tom Savini, famed horror make-up artist.

There is a DVD set that I personally am extremely excited for. It is a classic of animation from the world of Ralph Bakshi called Fire and Ice (2-Disc Limited Edition). This set comes with a documentary on the works of Frank Frazetta, featuring many comic artists that were inspired by his works. This DVD set is limited to only 20,000 and will be released August 30. Now, some of you may know of the Anchor Bay release that is out of print, the double feature Tombs of the Blind Dead/Return of the Blind Dead. Well, Blue Underground has picked this up, cleaned it up and packaged it with the other films from this series into a handsome coffin boxed set. Amazon does not list it yet, but here is a link to see the item. If you already bought the Mondo Cane set, then this set might also be worth waiting for as it is limited to only 15,000 sets. Perhaps with the coffix box, this may attract a larger group of buyers.

Blue Underground also mentions a handful of other DVD's that "limited editions, but do not mention if they are numbered, and my guess is they are not. Before "The Brood" and "Scanners", David Cronenberg offered the world a look into Canadian drag racing (apparently one of his passions) in the form of Fast Company (2-Disc Limited Edition). This release on DVD is a limited 2-disc set, also comes in a single disc version. The Christopher Lee Collection - Limited Edition (The Blood of Fu Manchu / The Castle of Fu Manchu / Circus of Fear / The Bloody Judge) is another set stated as limited, but no edition size is mentioned. From Italian erotic master Tinto Brass is his controversial Salon Kitty featured in limited edition format. Although no number series is presented, according to the Blue Underground site, "quantities are extremely limited". I particularly like Blue Underground's DVD's, not only the films, but also the presentation of the DVD's. They are focused and therefore knowledgeable of their eclectic tastes.