Our esteemed judges have chosen nominees from submissions made by movie studios and independent filmmakers. Eligible titles were released on home video between Sept. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009.
The nominees were judged based on the entire disc treatment — transfer quality, sound and picture, menu design, ease of use, navigation, packaging and other elements relevant to the disc.
Descriptions of the categories and films, as well as movie reviews, are included here to aid in the voting process.
Best DTV Release
Titles that did not have a theatrical release and premiered on home video.
|
 |
Alien Raiders, Warner Home Video
A group of rogue scientists take the employees and customers of an Arizona supermarket hostage when they track an alien infestation to that location. Now they must determine who is an alien and who isn’t and stop the invasion at all costs.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
Cold Prey, Anchor Bay Entertainment
Cold Prey shattered box-office records in Europe with its chilling story about a group of snowboarders stranded deep in the snow-capped Norwegian mountains who are hunted by a ruthless killer.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews |
 |
Jack Brooks Monster Slayer, Anchor Bay Entertainment
This homage to the prosthetic monster epics of the ’70s and ’80s stars Trevor Matthews as a plumber with a past, battling a host of monsters to save humanity – and get the girl. Also features a performance by veteran horror icon Robert Englund. DreadCentral DVD Reviews |
 |
Laid to Rest, Anchor Bay Entertainment
Writer/director Robert Hall creates an all-new horror icon, ChromeSkull, who treats audiences to some of the most inventive and disturbing kills ever seen in a slasher film as he pursues his target (Bobbi Sue Luther). DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review
|
Best Packaging
Titles with particularly original packaging or those that include free items such as movie posters, buttons or T-shirts.
|
 |
Friday the 13th: Deluxe Editions (Parts 1-6), Paramount Home Entertainment
The 2009 DVD re-releases of the first six films in the legendary horror franchise come with new lenticular 3D covers and loads of bonus features.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
Halloween: 30th Anniversary Commemorative Set, Anchor Bay Entertainment
This six-disc tribute to Michael Myers includes the original film on DVD and Blu-ray, an extended version of the first film on DVD, the fourth and fifth films on DVD, a 25th anniversary documentary DVD and a miniature replica of the mask. DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
Hellraiser Box Set, Anchor Bay Entertainment
Fashioned after the Lament Configuration box from the films, the Hellraiser Box Set includes the 20th Anniversary DVDs of the first two films and the new Hellraiser Blu-ray.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
The Hunger: The Complete First Season, E1 Entertainment
The four-DVD set includes all 22 episodes from the 1997 season of the little-known series of 30-minute horror stories hosted by Terence Stamp. |
|
 |
Dead Like Me: The Complete Collection, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Georgia “George” Lass is young, successful, attractive … and a grim reaper assigned to escort souls into the afterlife. The nine-DVD set includes the critically-acclaimed 2003-04 seasons of the Showtime series, as well as the 2008 DTV feature-length film. Home Media Magazine DVD Review
|
 |
Dexter: The Complete Third Season, Showtime/CBS/Paramount Home Entertainment
The four-DVD set includes all 12 episodes from the 2008 season of the Showtime series about a serial killer (Michael C. Hall) who delivers vigilante justice. Includes special guest performances by Jimmy Smits.
|
 |
Friday the 13th — The Series: The First Season, CBS/Paramount Home Entertainment
The six-DVD set includes all 26 episodes from the 1987 season of the series that garnered two Primetime Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Achievement in Special Visual Effects and Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
Ghost House Underground: Eight-Film Collection, Lionsgate
Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert present eight titles in this set, including: Room 205, Brotherhood of Blood, Dark Floors: The Lordi Motion Picture, Trackman, The Substitute, Dance of the Dead, No Man’s Land: The Rise of the Reeker and The Last House in the Woods.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
Best Re-release
Titles that have been re-released with additional special features, such as special editions, director’s cuts and anniversary editions. Recognition of re-mastering is reserved for another category.
|
 |
Child’s Play: Chucky’s 20th Birthday Edition, Fox/MGM Home Entertainment
After serial killer Charles “Chucky” Lee Ray transfers his spirit into the must-have toy of the year, young Andy Barclay gets the possessed, murderous doll as a birthday gift. The DVD contains all new special features such as select scene commentary by Chucky himself, all-new interviews, vintage featurettes and more.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
|
Friday the 13th: Deluxe Editions (Parts 1-6), Paramount Home Entertainment
The 2009 DVD re-releases of the first six films in the legendary horror franchise come with new lenticular 3D covers and loads of bonus features.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
The Last House on the Left (1972), Fox/MGM Home Entertainment
When two young girls are kidnapped and brutalized by three of the most sadistic and terrifying killers to ever cross the big screen, one of the victim’s parents seeks ultimate vengeance. Special features include commentary, never-before-seen outtakes, photo gallery, featurettes, Wes Craven’s annotated shooting scripts and more.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
My Bloody Valentine: Special Edition (1981), Lionsgate
A killer targets young lovers celebrating Valentine’s Day. The DVD includes restored lost/deleted scenes that allow the viewer to watch separately or as they were originally intended as part of the film.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
Best Blu-ray
Titles released on Blu-ray Disc, with special focus on exclusive Blu-ray features and BD Live functionality.
|
 |
Ghostbusters, Sony Pictures
The 25th anniversary edition of Ivan Reitman's classic supernatural comedy includes all-new exclusive HD extras, including the picture-in-picture “Slimer Mode,” behind-the-scenes discussions of making the movie, and a featurette called “Ecto-1: Resurrecting the Classic Car.”.
Home Media Magazine DVD Review
|
 |
Hellraiser, Anchor Bay
The seminal 1987 film starring Ashley Laurence and Andrew Robinson broke new cinematic ground in its depiction of the sadistic Cenobites and their depravities.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
The Mist, Genius/Weinstein
The fully loaded two-disc set contains the theatrical version of the film, a black-and-white version and a slew of extras, including commentary by writer-director Frank Darabont and a conversation with Stephen King and Darabont.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, MPI/Dark Sky
Tobe Hooper’s film about a group of teenagers who are hunted and terrorized by a chainsaw-wielding killer and his crazed family has been called grisly, sick and perverse, and is considered by some to be the movie that redefined horror.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review |
|
 |
Baghead, Sony Pictures
A spoof of the horror genre from acclaimed indie filmmakers Mark and Jay Duplass in which four struggling actors retreat to a cabin in the mountains to write a screenplay which would make them all stars, but instead find their horror story is coming true.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
|
Jack Brooks Monster Slayer, Anchor Bay Entertainment
This homage to the prosthetic monster epics of the ’70s and ’80s stars Trevor Matthews as a plumber with a past, battling a host of monsters to save humanity – and get the girl. Also features a performance by veteran horror icon Robert Englund.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
Martyrs, Genius/Weinstein
A young woman seeks revenge against people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child. She and a friend, who is also a victim of child abuse, embark on a terrifying journey into a living hell.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
![[REC]](images/REC.jpg) |
[REC], Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
This film is the international horror sensation that inspired Quarantine. When a reporter and her cameraman encounter an unknown terror, the only thing that may survive the unbelievable nightmare is their film record.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
Best Theatrical
Titles that had a theatrical release, including limited run.
|
 |
The Alphabet Killer, Anchor Bay Entertainment
The Alphabet Killer is a psychological thriller starring Eliza Dushku, Timothy Hutton and Cary Elwes. While investigating gruesome child murders, a police detective suffers a mental breakdown. Years later, she’s still haunted by the visions of the murder victims while trying to find the elusive killer.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review |
 |
The Last House on the Left (2009), Universal Studios Home Entertainment
In this updated version of the Wes Craven classic, a gang of kidnappers led by a prison escapee unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home that belongs to the parents of one of the kidnap victims.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
Mirrors, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Kiefer Sutherland stars as an ex-cop turned security guard who is being stalked by an evil force through mirrors. The DVD has an unrated cut of the film, with such extras as an in-depth look into the myths and mythology behind mirrors and a chilling alternate ending.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
The Uninvited, Paramount Home Entertainment
Following the suspicious death of their mother, sisters Anna and Alex become entangled in a deadly battle of wills when their father becomes engaged to Rachel, their mother’s former caretaker.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
Best Zombie
Titles wherein the main storyline is centered on zombies.
|
 |
Beneath the Surface, Well Go USA
A teenager uses ancient magic to resurrect his childhood love, unleashing a chain of chaotic events.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review |
 |
Dead Space: Downfall, Anchor Bay Entertainment
Based on the video game, Dead Space: Downfall chronicles the plight of the crew of the USG Ishimura. Far from Earth, they fight to survive the onslaught of a long-dormant alien race, unleashed by the discovery of an ancient religious artifact.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review |
 |
Quarantine, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
An American adaptation of the Spanish hit [REC]. A television reporter and her cameraman are trapped inside a building quarantined after the outbreak of a mysterious virus that turns humans into bloodthirsty killers.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review |
 |
Tokyo Zombie, Anchor Bay Entertainment
A pair of full-time slackers battles a non-stop barrage of hasty decapitations, perverted teachers, tasty snack foods, stormy romance and zombie professional wrestling in this horror-comedy sensation from Japan.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
Best Slasher
Titles wherein the main storyline is centered on a psychopathic killer who stalks and kills victims in a violent (and usually graphic) manner.
|
|
Cold Prey, Anchor Bay Entertainment
Cold Prey shattered box-office records in Europe with its chilling story about a group of snowboarders stranded deep in the snow-capped Norwegian mountains and hunted by a ruthless killer.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
The Jason Slasher Collection, Warner Home Video
The boxed set includes the “Friday the 13th” sequels Jason Goes to Hell, Jason X and Freddy vs. Jason (the Nightmare on Elm Street crossover).
|
|
Laid to Rest, Anchor Bay Entertainment
Writer/director Robert Hall creates an all-new horror icon, ChromeSkull, who treats audiences to some of the most inventive and disturbing kills ever seen in a slasher film as he pursues his target (Bobbi Sue Luther).
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review |
|
The Last House on the Left (1972), Fox/MGM Home Entertainment
When two young girls are kidnapped and brutalized by three of the most sadistic and terrifying killers to ever cross the big screen, one of the victim’s parents seeks ultimate vengeance. Special features include commentary, never-before-seen outtakes, photo gallery, featurettes, Wes Craven’s annotated shooting scripts and more.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
Best Ghost Story
Titles wherein the main storyline is centered on paranormal activity.
|
|
The Alphabet Killer, Anchor Bay Entertainment
The Alphabet Killer is a psychological thriller starring Eliza Dushku, Timothy Hutton and Cary Elwes. While investigating gruesome child murders, a police detective suffers a mental breakdown. Years later, she’s still haunted by the visions of the murder victims while trying to find the elusive killer.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
Home Media Magazine DVD Review |
 |
The Haunting in Connecticut, Lionsgate
Based on a documented true story, a family discovers that their new home is haunted when strange events begin happening. The DVD includes a two-part documentary in which the actual people involved in the haunting are interviewed.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
 |
Imprint, MTI Home Video
A Native-American attorney is forced to re-examine her beliefs when she starts to hear ghostly voices and see strange visions. |
|
Mirrors, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Kiefer Sutherland stars as an ex-cop turned security guard who is being stalked by an evil force through mirrors. The DVD has an unrated cut of the film, with such extras as an in-depth look into the myths and mythology behind mirrors and a chilling alternate ending.
DreadCentral DVD Reviews
|
The winners in both the Re-mastering and Vampire/Werewolf categories were previously determined during the nomination process due to the judges’ overwhelming vote for a single title in each category.
Similarly, the Best in Show award will be presented to the title that, in the judges’ opinion, is the best overall from the entire pool of submitted entries.
|
