Tag: Musical

  • Blu-ray Release: Eclipse Series 8: Lubitsch Musicals

    Blu-ray Release Date: Feb. 17, 2026
    Price: Blu-ray $55.99
    Studio: Criterion Collection


    Renowned as a silent-film pioneer and the man who refined Hollywood comedy with such masterpieces as Trouble in Paradise, The Shop Around the Corner, and To Be or Not to Be, Ernst Lubitsch also had another claim to fame: he helped invent the modern movie musical. With the advent of sound, and with audiences clamoring for “talkies,” Lubitsch combined his love of European operettas and his mastery of cinema to develop this entirely new genre.

    The elegant, bawdy films that comprise Eclipse Series 8: Lubitsch Musicals, made before strict enforcement of the moralizing Production Code, feature some of the greatest stars of early Hollywood (Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald, Claudette Colbert, Miriam Hopkins), as well as that elusive style of comedy that would thereafter be known as “the Lubitsch touch.”

    The Love Parade (1929)

    The Love Parade (1929)
    Ernst Lubitsch’s first full talkie was also Hollywood’s first movie musical to integrate songs with narrative. Additionally, The Love Parade made stars out of toast-of-Paris Maurice Chevalier and girl-from-Philly Jeanette MacDonald, cast as a womanizing military attaché and the man-hungry queen of “Sylvania,” respectively. With its naughty innuendo and satiric romance, The Love Parade opened the door for a decade of witty screen battles of the sexes.

    Monte Carlo (1930)
    Jeanette MacDonald’s independent-minded countess leaves her foppish prince fiancé at the altar, and whisks herself away to the Riviera. There, she strikes the fancy of the sly Count Rudolph (theater veteran Jack Buchanan), who poses as a hairdresser to get into her boudoir. Ernst Lubitsch’s follow-up to The Love Parade shows even more musical invention, and presents MacDonald at her haughtily sexy best.

    One Hour with You (1932)

    The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)
    Maurice Chevalier’s randy Viennese lieutenant is enamored of Claudette Colbert’s freethinking, all-girl-orchestra-leading cutie. Yet complications ensue when the sexually repressed princess (newcomer Miriam Hopkins) of the fictional kingdom of Flausenthurm sets her sights on him. Ernst Lubitsch’s The Smiling Lieutenant is a delightful showcase for its rising female stars, who are never more charming than when Colbert tunefully instructs Hopkins, “Jazz Up Your Lingerie.”

    One Hour With You (1932)
    Ernst Lubitsch reunites Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald, this time as a seemingly blissful couple whose marriage hits the skids when her flirtatious school chum comes on to her husband a bit too strong. Necking in the park at nighttime, husbands and wives having casual dalliances, and a butler telling his master, “I did so want to see you in tights!”: Lubitsch’s final pre-Code musical is one of his sauciest escapades.

    The collection also includes an essay by author and film critic Michael Koresky

    Buy or Rent Eclipse Series 8: Lubitsch Musicals
  • 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Release: Wicked For Good

    4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Release Date: Jan. 20, 2026
    Price: 4K UHD/Blu-ray $29.95, Blu-ray $24.95, DVD $19.95
    Studio: Universal


    Directed by Jon. M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo (Widows), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Jeff Goldblum (Hotel Artemis), Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), and Jonathan Bailey (Jurassic World: Rebirth), it’s coming on January 20!

    Buy or Rent Wicked For Good
  • Blu-ray Release: Hazbin Hotel: Season One

    Blu-ray Release Date: available now
    Price: Blu-ray $24.99
    Studio: A24


    This 2024 adult animated musical series Hazbin Hotel follows Charlie, the princess of Hell, as she pursues her seemingly impossible goal of rehabilitating demons to peacefully reduce overpopulation in her kingdom. After a yearly extermination that was imposed by Heaven, she opens a hotel in the hopes that patrons will be “checking out” after proving their souls are redeemable.

    The voice cast includes Stephanie Beatriz (TV’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Keith David (The Thing), and Alex Brightman.

    Special features include cast commentary on all eight episodes and each package comes with a limited-edition trading card.

    Buy or Rent Hazbin Hotel: Season One
  • Blu-ray, DVD Release: Smurfs

    Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Oct. 28, 2025
    Price: DVD $16.99, Blu-ray/Digital $20.99
    Studio: Paramount


    Smurfette (Rihanna, Battleship) leads the crew on a daring rescue mission to save Papa Smurf (John Goodman, Atomic Blonde) after he is mysteriously kidnapped by the evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel. The Smurfs team up with new friends on an epic adventure that takes them into the real world, where they discover that their true destiny is to save the universe.

    Directed by Chris Miller (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs), the discs for this live-action animated musical fantasy comedy include more than 25 minutes of Smurf-filled bonus content!

    Buy or Rent Smurfs
  • 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD Release: Better Man

    4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: May 13, 2025
    Price: 4K UHD/Blu-ray/Digital $39.99, DVD $19.95
    Studio: Paramount


    Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, arguably one of Europe’s greatest entertainers of the past generation. Under the direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Robbie’s perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.

    Oh, and it does all this with Williams being portrayed as a…CGI monkey!

    An undeniably original musical, the Oscar-nominated Better Man is a moving and poignant story about fame, recovery, relationships, and redemption.

    The discs include over 45 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes!

    Buy or Rent Better Man
  • 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD Release: Wicked

    4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD Release: Wicked

    4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Feb. 4, 2025
    Price: 4K UHD/Blu-ray $29.95,  DVD $19.95, Blu-ray/Digital $24.95
    Studio: Universal


    Wicked, one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, arrives on homescreens in physical media form this week!

    The untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Cynthia Erivo (Bad Times at the El Royale, Widows) as Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman who has yet to discover her true power, and Ariana Grande (Don’t Look Up, Hairspray Live!) as Glinda, a popular young woman who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet at Shiz University and forge an unlikely friendship – before their lives take different paths following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Their extraordinary adventures will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

    Here’s a complete breakdown of the features on the imminent discs:

    4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY & DVD BONUS FEATURES:

    • SING-ALONG – ALTERNATE FEATURE-LENGTH VERSION – Rejoicify, it’s your turn to sing your way through Oz! Sing-along to all of your favorite Wicked songs as you join Elphaba and Glinda on their magical journey.
    • DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES
      o   Pfannee & ShenShen Meet Glinda
      –   Reunited at Shiz University, Glinda, Pfannee, and ShenShen recall their past by
      performing a twirling routine together.
    • o   Shiz Gazette Introduces Fiyero
      –   Excitement spreads across Shiz as word gets out that Prince Fiyero is on his way.
      o   Toss Toss
      –   Glinda teaches Elphaba the art of Toss Toss, with mixed results.
      o    Elphaba & Fiyero in the Forest
      –    The relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero takes a turn as they come to care
      for a lost lion cub.
    • o    Elphaba’s Promise
      –   Elphaba makes a pledge to Glinda that they both hope will strengthen their friendship.
      o    Train Platform Farewell
      –   Glinda, Madame Morrible, and Governor Thropp gather to send Elphaba off
      to Emerald City.
      o    Boq & Elphaba Talk
      –   Elphaba challenges Boq to face the truth about his feelings for Nessa Rose,
      but she has difficulty doing the same when it comes to Fiyero.
      o    Train Ride to Emerald City
      –   Glinda and Elphaba expand their world by taking a luxurious train ride to Emerald
      City.
      o    In the Emerald City
      –   The bustling streets of Emerald City take Glinda and Elphaba one step closer to
      finally meeting the Wizard.
      o    Palace Monkeys Chase
      –   Elphaba and Glinda race through a maddening maze of winged monkeys
      determined to take them down.
    • MAKING WICKED – Return to Oz for a fantastic behind-the-scenes journey with this expansive look inside the characters, choreography, and creativity that make up the movie’s unforgettable world.
    • WELCOME TO SHIZ – Unlimited imagination, couture fashion, and spectacular production design come together at Shiz University, providing a place for performers and viewers to be fully immersed in the fantasy. Designed from details in L. Frank Baum’s books, the uniforms, clever contraptions, and circular sets create a sprawling campus where magic feels like an everyday occurrence.
    • A WICKED LEGACY –Take delight in the cast and filmmakers sharing personal memories of their first encounters with the original Broadway production, and how those lasting connections created emotional experiences while making the movie. Also highlighted are the iconic cameos that pay tribute to the cultural phenomenon that became one of the most popular musicals of all time.
    • THE WONDERFUL WIZARD – Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City for an in-depth look at the infamous Wizard of Oz. Inside the palace’s throne room, the Wizard himself, Jeff Goldblum, pulls back the curtain to peer at his character’s magic and mechanics with senior special effects technician Christopher Clarke, who details how the Wizard’s massive robotic head comes to life.
    • FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR JON M. CHU 
    • FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH STARS CYNTHIA ERIVO AND ARIANA GRANDE

     

    Buy or Rent Wicked
  • 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Release: Funny Girl

    4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Release Date: Nov. 19, 2024
    Price: 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo $34.99, Blu-ray $27.99
    Studio: Criterion


    Witness the birth of a movie star as Barbra Streisand makes a screen debut for the ages in 1968’s Funny Girl, a musical spectacular.

    From humor to pathos, Streisand hits every note as popular 1920s singer-comedian Fanny Brice, a young Jewish New Yorker whose spirit and supernova talent propel her to fame in the Ziegfeld Follies, but whose devotion to an unreliable gambler (a charismatic Omar Sharif) brings drama and heartbreak into her life.

    Adapted from a hit Broadway show and directed by Hollywood master William Wyler (Ben-Hur), Funny Girl hits emotional highs in unforgettable performances of songs like “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”—moments that won Streisand one of the most richly deserved Best Actress awards in Oscar history.

    Here’s a breakdown of the discs’ features:

    • 4K digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
    • In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
    • New audio interview with actor Barbra Streisand
    • New conversation between director William Wyler’s son David and author Alicia Malone
    • Directed by William Wyler (1986), a documentary on Wyler’s life and career
    • Archival interview with actor Omar Sharif
    • Deleted scene featuring Streisand and Sharif
    • Featurettes from the original theatrical release
    • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
    • PLUS: An essay by author and film critic Michael Koresky

     

    Buy or Rent Funny Girl
  • 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, Digital Release: One from the Heart: Reprise

    4K Ultra HD Release Date: May 7, 2024
    Price: 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/Digital $30.99
    Studio: Lionsgate


    One from the Heart: Reprise offers a spectacular 4K restoration and reimagining of the 1982 cult favorite from Francis Ford Coppola (Apocalypse Now, The Conversation).

    Six minutes of footage have been added to replace the original negative, previously thought to be destroyed, resulting in a brand-new Reprise version, approved by Coppola himself.

    The film tells the story of a Las Vegas couple (Teri Garr, Frederic Forrest) whose break-up on the Fourth of July leads them both to a night on the Strip in pursuit of their romantic fantasies (Raul Julia, Nastassja Kinski). But in this town of gamblers and dreamers, should they bet it all on dreams, or give true love another roll of the dice?

    Featuring breathtaking design, show-stopping set pieces, the stunning photography of Vittorio Storaro (1900) and accompanied by the Oscar-nominated music of the one and only Tom Waits, this one definitely warrants a look-see!

    Here’s a breakdown of the features and so on:

    4K DISC – ONE FROM THE HEART: REPRISE
    • Francis Ford Coppola Feature Commentary
     NEW The Look of One from the Heart
    • NEW The Cast of One from the Heart
    • NEW The Choreography of One from the Heart
    • NEW Reinventing the Musical: Baz Luhrmann One from the Heart
    • NEW One from the Heart: Reprise, Restoration Comparison
     NEW 2024 Trailer

    BLU-RAY DISC – ONE FROM THE HEART 1982 CUT
    • The Making of One from the Heart
    • The Dream Studio
    • The Electronic Cinema
    • Tom Waits and the Music from One from the Heart
    • Deleted Scenes
    • Videotaped Rehearsals
    • Francis Ford Coppola Speaks to the Exhibitors
    • Press Conference at the Studio
    • This One’s from the Heart Music Video
    • Stop-Motion Demo
    • The Tom Waits Score: Alternate Tracks
    • 2003 Theatrical Trailer
    • 1982 Theatrical Trailer

    Buy or Rent One from the Heart: Reprise
  • 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD Release: Mean Girls (2024)

    4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: April 30, 2024
    Price: 4K UHD $27.96, DVD $19.96, Blu-ray $22.96
    Studio: Paramount


    The new musical version of Mean Girls (2024) is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD with a digital code!

    Bonus content is detailed below:

    • A New Age of Mean Girl— Tina Fey, the cast, and crew discuss a new take on the Mean Girls story and how the drama at North Shore high would unfold in the age of social media.
    • Song and Dance— A behind-the-scenes look of what it took to bring the big musical numbers of Mean Girls (2024) to life. We hear from the directors, the choreographer, and the cast about how they prepped and reimagined the classic film with musical elements.
    • The New Plastics— The new cast dives into their memories of watching the original film, their favorite moments/lines, what character they identified with, and what it meant to be cast in the musical.
    • Gag Reel— Some of the best moments happen behind the scenes!
    • Not My Fault – Music Video with Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion
    • Extended Scene – I’m Having a Small Get Together at My House
    Buy or Rent Mean Girls (2024)
  • 4K Ultra HD Release: Footloose (1984)

    4K Ultra HD Release Date: Feb. 13, 2024
    Price: 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Steelbook $27.99, 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray $23.19
    Studio: Paramount


    Originally released on February 17, 1984, the dance musical Footloose thrilled audiences with its spirited dancing, electrifying soundtrack, and inspiring story.  Kevin Bacon gives a star-making performance as a city boy whose rebellious love for music and dancing shakes up a small town.

    Directed by Herbert Ross and written by composer and writer Dean Pitchford, Footloose was a massive success, earning $80 million at the domestic box office.  The film features an exceptional supporting cast, including Lori Singer, Dianne Wiest, John Lithgow, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Chris Penn, along with a sensational soundtrack featuring Kenny Loggins, Bonnie Tyler, John Mellencamp, Foreigner, and more.

    Newly remastered, Footloose will be available in a two-disc 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray set or a collectible SteelBook with artwork designed to look like an 80s Walkman.  Both sets include access to a digital copy of the film and the Blu-ray includes the legacy bonus content detailed below:

    • Commentary by Craig Zadan and Dean Pitchford
    • Commentary by Kevin Bacon
    • Let’s Dance! Kevin Bacon on Footloose
    • From Bomont to the Big Apple: An Interview with Sarah Jessica Parker
    • Remembering Willard
    • Kevin Bacon’s Screen Test
    • Kevin Bacon Costume Montage
    • Footloose: A Modern Musical – Part 1
    • Footloose: A Modern Musical – Part 2
    • Footloose: Songs That Tell A Story
    • Theatrical Trailer
    Buy or Rent Footloose (2024)