KITTEN KATNIP: The Best Stuff We Reviewed in 2025

We reviewed a slew of Blu-Rays, DVDs and movies in 2024. Time to take a look back at the best of them. While we have seen more movies than the Surgeon General recommends, our list consists strictly of titles which were sent to us for review purposes.

PURR-R-R...THE BEST: We reviewed some good stuff this year, but the following titles were better than taunting a mouse to death (in no particular order):

SINNERS, WEAPONS, COMPANION and FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES (Warner Bros) - It’s been a great overall year for horror, but no studio had the year that Warner Bros did. Sinners is actually Oscar worthy, Weapons proves director Zach Cregger is the real deal, Companion is surprising and thematically timely, while Final Destination: Bloodlines is far better than any fifth sequel ever has a right to be.

THE LONG WALK (Lionsgate) and THE LIFE OF CHUCK (Neon/Decal) - 2025 has also been a pretty damn good year for Stephen King movies. The Long Walk is one of the better King adaptations of the past 20 years, with a grim tone, anti-authoritarian themes prevalent in much of the author’s work, and a well-drawn cast of characters. Some of us waited a long time for this one, but it was worth it. The Life of Chuck defies genre classification, but might be the most emotionally affecting King movie since The Shawshank Redemption (though not always the most uplifting).

EDDINGTON (A24) - Eddington is Aster’s most narratively straightforward effort - it’s certainly his least ambiguous - but might also be his most compelling, to say nothing of polarizing. With healthy amounts of black comedy, none-too-subtle themes and bursts of brutal violence, it perfectly captures the chaos of the most tumultuous era in our recent history. I can imagine just as many people hating it, and any movie capable of such diverse reactions is always worth seeing.

THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN 4K (Warner Archive) - The classic that put Hammer Films on the map has been beautifully restored for 4K in all its gothic glory (in three different aspect ratios), and has never looked or sounded better. But the icing on the cake is the sheer abundance of new and archival bonus material. The movie itself remains wonderfully entertaining all these years later.

SEPTEMBER 5 (Paramount) - Set during the terrorist siege on the Munich’s Olympic village in 1972, this is a dramatic reenactment of ABC’s coverage behind the scenes. We feel like a fly on the wall, watching barely controlled chaos as the coverage is often complicated by conflict, miscommunication, ethically questionable decisions and occasional overreaching ambition. 

SUNSET BOULEVARD 4K (Paramount) - Many classify this classic to be film noir, a label I don't necessarily agree with. But whether it’s considered noir, melodrama, satire or horror, what ultimately matters is that it’s a great film, one of the best of the 1950s and well worth revisiting from time to time for its rich performances, great dialogue and Wilder’s typically brilliant direction. It’s also been given a great 4K restoration.

RE-ANIMATOR 40th Anniversary 4K (Ignite Films) - 40 years later, Re-Animator holds up really well. Like the best horror films of the ‘80s, it has since transcended its decade - narratively and aesthetically - to become a true classic. The movie’s power to shock audiences may have diminished, but it’s still a potent shot of nostalgic nastiness. In addition to an excellent 4K transfer, this set features a ton of substantial new & archival bonus features, along with two cuts of the film.

RELAY (Bleecker Street/Decal) and BLACK BAG (Universal) - It’s a damn shame these two gems came and went in theaters almost unnoticed. In a perfect world, both would have been huge hits, or at least successful enough to remind Hollywood that not everyone goes to the movies for fireworks. Both are superlative adult thrillers driven more by complexity and characters than kinetic kaboom.

CONCLAVE 4K (Universal) - Forget Anora…Conclave was the Best Picture of all the Oscar nominees this year. Beautifully shot and unfolding like a thriller, Ralph Fiennes gives one of his best performances as Cardinal Lawrence, reluctantly overseeing the entire conclave and managing the sequestered cardinals charged with electing a new pope. On paper, it sounds like a dull way to spend two hours, but director Edward Berger makes it extremely engaging and surprisingly suspenseful.

JAMES BOND: SEAN CONNERY 6-FILM COLLECTION (4K) (Warner Bros) - Bond. James Bond. In 4K. This is obviously a great batch of classic, influential films, which Bond fans probably don’t need to be reminded of. If you’re one of those Connery purists seeking technical upgrades (and a great looking package), this set is a must-own. 

IN THE HEART OF THE MACHINE (Rising Sun Media) - The basic story of convicts attempting to free a pigeon from a piece of machinery is just scratching the surface. This stunning Bulgarian film achieves a tone similar to The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile…often harrowing and brutal, but ultimately life-affirming & inspirational, with characters we grow to love. Fans of either of those films owe it to themselves to check this one out. I can't imagine them being disappointed.

HONORABLE MENTION: .

Se7en 4K (Warner Bros); Antiviral 4K (Severin); Outland 4K (Arrow); Side Street (Warner Archive); Amadeus (Warner Bros); The Monkey (Decal); Juror #2 (Warner Bros); Bring Her Back (A24); Together (Neon); The Day of the Jackal - Season One (Universal); Airport - The Complete 4-Film Collection (Kino Lorber); The X Trilogy (A24); When We Went MAD! (Gravitas Ventures)

2025 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

‘Tis the season, and the big day is coming soon! But there’s still time to pick up some delicious crunchy kibbles for that special cinephile in your litter. Check out some of the purr-fect presents in our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide. 

SCARFACE AND FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S: TWO EPIC 4K COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS. SCARFACE: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION - Relive Brian De Palma’s crime epic like never before with this newly remastered 4K edition packed with exclusive bonus features and collectible packaging—perfect for fans and collectors alike. FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION - Experience the global horror hit in stunning 4K with brand-new extras, behind-the-scenes content, and limited-edition artwork just in time for the holidays. From Universal

BRING MAXINE AND PEARL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE X TRILOGY COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Nothing signifies one’s love for a particular movie or franchise like a big boxed set with great new artwork and physical supplements you simply can’t get digitally. The three films in this collection feature new audio commentaries, and the discs themselves are stored in a gatefold digipak, and along with it is a 64 page booklet loaded with great artwork inspired by the films. From A24 Films

MORE IN-STORE FROM A24! More gems from the world’s most eclectic independent studio. Surprise your kittens with such great recent titles as Warfare, Eddington and one of this years best horror films, Bring Her Back. And in our opinion, A24’s Blu-ray packaging is super cool. From A24 Films

CLASSIC 4K STOCKING STUFFERS FROM WARNER BROS DISCOVERY. Four classic titles – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Lethal Weapon, Seven and the James Bond: Sean Connery 6-Film Collection - are being released for the first time on 4K Ultra HD and Digital. From Warner Bros.

GREAT NEW HORROR MOVIES FROM NEON. Steven Soderbergh’s Presence is a deliberately paced ghostfest with a haunting denouement. Together is a wild piece of body horror with great performanceS and a high “yuck” factor. Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) takes an unexpected turn into blood-drenched black comedy with The Monkey, based on the Stephen King story. From NEON

GET FESTIVE WITH FREDDY IN 4K. A Nightmare on Elm Street 7-Film Collection includes every film in the classic franchise, each newly remastered. It’s available as a standard set and, for those special kittens on your list, a more elaborate Amazon Exclusive SteelBook edition. From Warner Bros.

2 SPIELBERG CLASSICS IN 4K! Both Minority Report and Catch Me If You Can were remastered this year in 4K and the sparkling new transfers were reviewed and approved by Spielberg.  The films also will be presented with Dolby Vision and HDR-10 for optimal image quality.  The 4K Ultra HD and Limited-Edition SteelBook presentations will include the feature film on 4K Ultra HD, a Blu-ray with legacy bonus features, and access to a Digital copy of the film. Originally released in 2002, Minority Report was a global hit hailed as one of the best sci-fi films of the 21st century. Catch Me If You Can also premiered theatrically in 2002 and was a massive hit with both audiences and critics. From Paramount

CHRISTMAS CAN BE A DISASTER! Airport: The Complete 4-Film Collection features four newly remastered legendary films from an era when disaster movies ruled the box office, Airport, Airport 1975, Airport ‘77 and last & certainly least, The Concorde: Airport ‘79. It’s available in both Blu-ray and 4K editions. There’s more mountain moving mayhem with the long-awaited 4K release of Dante’s Peak, newly remastered and featuring a bevy of bonus features. From Kino Lorber

THE GRINCH TURNS 25. Just in time for the holidays, here’s a new 25th Anniversary 4K edition of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, directed by Ron Howard. This version includes an all new retrospective documentary, which is pretty good and features interviews with director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer, make-up artist Rick Baker and actor Taylor Momsen. From Universal

SUPER STOCKING STUFFERS! Treat that special kitty in your life (or yourself) to some of these new Blu-ray & 4K titles, all of which were reviewed this year by Free Kittens and earned our Paw of Approval!

THE POOP SCOOP: Battle & Boogie Edition

BOOGIE NIGHTS on 4K on 12/16 from Warner Bros. The film features an all-star ensemble cast, including Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Heather Graham, Nicole Ari Parker, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Written and directed by Anderson, the film is produced by Lloyd Levin, John Lyons, Anderson, and JoAnne Sellar. Boogie Nights will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Fandango at Home and more. 

BATTLE ROYALE 25th Anniversary 4K/Blu-ray SteelBook Coming 12/9 from Lionsgate. In the near future, the economy has collapsed, unemployment has soared, and juvenile crime has exploded. Fearful of their nation’s youth, the Japanese government passes The BR Law: Each year, a 9th grade class is sent to a remote island where they will be locked into exploding neck collars, given a random weapon, and forced to hunt and kill each other until there is only one survivor left. Chiaki Kuriyama (Kill Bill) and screen legend Takeshi Kitano (Ghost in the Shell) star in the movie that has been argued, acclaimed, and banned around the world. Presented in 4K for the first time on its 25th anniversary, it remains one of the most savage, shocking, and emotionally powerful films of all time.

The Original TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Trilogy on 4K and Blu-ray 12/16 from Arrow Video. Martial arts mayhem rises from the sewers when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy makes its global 4K UHD debut. The three films are live action with realistic animatronic costumes created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features a brand 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Films approved by director Steve Barron. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III feature 4K restorations of the films from the 35mm interpositives by Arrow Films. The Limited Edition boxset is overflowing with hours of special features, collectible packaging, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER on Digital 11/14 and Blu-ray, 4K & DVD 1/20/2026 from Warner Bros. Written, directed and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Academy Award and BAFTA winners Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro, and Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti. 

PRIDE & PREJUDICE 20th Anniversary Edition Coming 11/23 on 4K from Universal. The exclusive Pride & Prejudice 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition includes a beautifully curated 42-page book filled with behind-the-scenes photos, a foreword written by Director Joe Wright, excerpts from cast and crew, behind-the-scenes photos, and much more!

HOWARD’S END on Blu-ray & DVD 11/18 from Cohen Media Group. A gorgeous 4K restoration from the original negative, overseen and approved by director James Ivory and cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts. 

DANTE’S PEAK is Finally Coming to 4K/Blu-ray on 12/16 from Kino Lorber. Who will survive when the inferno unleashes its fury? The answer will leave you breathless, and the special effects will blow you away! 

CHAIN REACTIONS Blu-ray Mediabook Blu-ray December 2 from Dark Sky Films. Fifty years after Tobe Hooper’s classic shocked the world, CHAIN REACTIONS charts the film’s profound impact and lasting influence on five great artists – Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller- Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama. 

THE BLACK PHONE 2 on Digital Now and Blu-ray and 4K December 23 from Universal. Director Scott Derickson (Sinister, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) continues the nightmare with darker, deadlier, and more terrifying scenes than ever before as Ethan Hawke (First Reformed) returns to his most disturbing role as deranged serial killer The Grabber..

BEAST OF WAR on Blu-ray and DVD December 9 from Well Go USA. When their boat is sunk while crossing the Timor Sea during World War II, a young troop of Australian soldiers must find a way to survive the harsh seas on a quickly shrinking life raft. Hundreds of miles from anywhere, they must confront interpersonal conflicts, enemy attacks, and the advances of one very large, very hungry great white shark. 

GOOD FORTUNE arrives 11/7 on Premium Digital and 12/9 on 4K and Blu-ray from Lionsgate. In Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut, GOOD FORTUNE, a well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) observes a struggling gig worker, Arj (Aziz Ansari), and intervenes to show him that money can't solve all his problems. 

Stephen King’s THE LONG WALK on Digital October 21 and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD November 25 from Lionsgate. The highly anticipated adaptation of master storyteller Stephen King’s first novel is an intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: how far could you go?

PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE on 4K & Blu-ray December 16 from Criterion Collection. One of the most eccentric comedies of the 1980s, this is a pop-culture touchstone that helped make a manic oddball named Pee-wee Herman into an icon for outsiders of all ages.