I've never watched you before but I have to say I enjoyed this video. I've recently started seriously collecting and steelbooks have been delegated to only my favorite movies. not only because of price but like you said earlier the art on them has lately seemed pretty boring. Keep up the great videos.

I’m glad they reprint them. I don’t care about no limited edition. I just want the movie.

The price of 4K Steelbooks has risen so much I'm pretty much done with collecting them. It's nuts! Not to mention you can't get standard editions of some of these films so you're forced to buy them at an inflated cost.

They usually come with slipcovers, so there's some minor cosmetic protection.

This is great insight. I wasn’t that hip to these and saw them the other day and thought “man I’m going to start buying these.” Now I may reconsider! -Seth

I agree with you about how frustrating it can be collecting steelbooks. They do arrive damaged a lot. The other thing I agree with you on is the “limited edition reprints.” How the HELL is something “limited” if they’re choosing to reprint the crap out of it! 🤦🏻‍♂️. That to me is very frustrating. At least create a different artwork so the collectors are still happy and don’t feel suckered. Great video, man! 🤘🏻

100% agree with everything you said! I just got the Lawrence of Arabia on 4K steelbook cause it got reprinted on Amazon & then I just laugh at sellers trying to sell it for over $100. bro that Hocus steelbook looks dope! ive never seen that 1 before. sucks it got dented.

I hear ya man! I'm definitely more of a slipcover guy than a steelbook guy, for the reasons you mentioned. I don't mind steelbooks when there's cool artwork, but I agree they can get damaged so easily... even just with scratches and small dings. It doesn't take much to screw them up. So I determined it just wasn't worth it for me to collect steelbooks as a regular thing. Because you can't just swap out the case if something happens to the packaging... since the case itself is the artwork. So I only buy them occasionally if I really like the art or if that's the only way a title is available (like with Fright Night on 4K). But I probably have less than 30-40 steelbooks total in my collection. And I definitely keep those in plastic covers to protect them.

The recent steelbook I ordered was Friday The 13th 8 movie collection. Which I would prefer the boxset from Scream Factory. But yeah the actual 1st steelbook I purchased was back in 2017, the movie Scarface. This is the 2nd steelbook & both were in mint condition.

I have many 30 which is not a lot with my collection I do like them but I like standard releases with slips , btw talking of universal monsters I adore bride of Frankenstein 👍🏻 good video mate 👍🏻

Stopping to collect them because they can get damaged, and acknowledging you know how to protect them but won’t, is an odd way of going about things imo.

I'm still deep deep in the throws of Steelbook collecting.... I'm hooked. It was actually the resident evil pop art set that got me started... (subbed 😉)

Now, I would be down of a Love Bug or Herbie 4K set in a steelbook with the car halves separating like in the movie, or just showing the front of the car with the 53 and racing stripes, or something similar.

I never got into steelbooks, only got a couple. I don't wanna pay an extra $5 for a tin case that might get scratched/dented. Just give my a bunch of extra features, cool artwork, and a slipcover!

Oh jeez, those Universal Monsters steelbooks with the Alex Ross art look siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!

There was a time I was really into steelbooks. The only time I get them now is when it's the only option. Can't justify the cost anymore.

I am in two minds with steelbooks when i go to cex they are always damaged or the hide the dents with the stickers great video just subbed

I see you have two of my thumbnails in your video @4:23. I enjoy the hunt and look for bargains and yes those video are good for views, which we always enjoy for our channels. I was never into them until seeing others show them off on their channels, so I slowly started getting some. But I will agree with you and say I’m more of a slipcover person, or just the movie really, and with the prices of steels going through the roof, it would have to be something pretty special, or super cheap, for me to care.

I love me some classic universal monsters and the steelbooks look fantastic

Thank You! What a smart, intelligent video this is, I see some people on here that won’t buy a movie because it doesn’t have a slip cover or it doesn’t have a steel book, Your movie collectors because you love movies not just a little plastic cover that rolls over a movie, I watched one KZfaqr he’ll go unnamed. He wouldn’t buy the movie which was two dollars because slipcover Had minor fraying on the top So what did the idiot do he went and spent another $25 so he could have a perfect slipcover doesn’t make any sense. But I just wanted to congratulate you on a great video

I personally feel like it all comes down to the quality of the artwork. I think good art looks better on a steel book than it does on a slipcover, but I’ve noticed that there’s a lot of steel books being released now that just have bland or generic artwork that doesn’t really warrant the steel book treatment. I mean really steel books are nothing more than fancy movie cases and I buy them just for the aesthetic and look more than anything else. I’ll buy the steel book if the artwork is really nice, but otherwise I’d usually just stick with a standard release. I will say that while I do understand some people getting annoyed at the idea of reprinting “limited” edition steel books, thus making them not really “limited” edition; I personally don’t mind as I myself really wanted to get that Fifth Element steel book but missed out on it when it initially came out. So I was actually happy that they reprinted it so I could actually get it at an affordable price(people on eBay will price gouge the hell out of steel books).

Only 10% of films are available as a steel book. And not every steel book is not just a blu-ray one. The only time I'd bother to get a film in 4K steel book is when it's a metal to metal tie in title, like Battleship.

I'm not one that cares for packaging. BUT, sometimes, steelbooks offer something that nothing else done. For example, I wanted bot the Blu-ray and the 4K for Godzilla x Kong and I could only get the Blu-ray disc with the steelbook version. It was the Same with Dune Part 2. Usually, all packaging goes to the storage unit for me, anyway.

I feel you. I only own a couple steelbooks. Rocky 1-4, Rambo 1-5, Mothra & Dredd. The big movie sets come in a dope as steel case as well but yeah, easily get scratched up af.

I never understood the appeal of that packaging because it's more fragile. I still have some beautiful DVD boxset still clean and steel-book are sadly already breaking in store.. It's kinda sad.

I don't feel robbed if a studio re-releases a title and others are able to get it. I'm happy for them and for physical media to continue to be sold. I'd only feel that way if they released a certain edition and released it again at a significantly lower price. Like they release, say, The Terminator for $50 in a special edition, then they release more of the same edition, but sell it for $30, but even that wouldn't t bother me that much. We're almost always going to pay more around release day than if we wait. I try to wait for sales on studio titles unless they're a top favorite.

I agree with everything you said. Unless it’s better artwork , I prefer slip cases.

Being primarily a SB collector, most of your gripes are absolutely accurate. Damage is the one thing we all have to deal with and it's annoying. You find companies and ways to reduce it but it's always a possibility. I think your argument falls apart concerning reprints. No one I know of buys these movies hoping they'll be an investment of some kind. I was personally happy that more people had the opportunity to buy those reprinted movies. Sure, it's nice to see that some of my SB have gone up in value, but my thoughts are MUCH more on the art chosen.

I used to buy steelbooks during the Best Buy target years when Covid hit I stopped I really liked targets exclusives more for Disney and Warner brothers the digibookcases with artwork and stuff about the movies steelbooks are cool and stuff but I just don’t care for them much anymore I buy the regular 4K editions now I don’t go out of my way for steelbooks especially since Best Buy stopped selling movies I don’t go to Walmart so I buy from Amazon it’s a mix of a lot of reasons for me why I don’t buy steelbooks anymore

Usually it’s a situation of the cover artwork on whether I buy them or not. But I agree, they damage way way way too easily.

I think i have one steelbook. Its "The Last Jedi". It was gifted to me, and i hate it.

I don't get steelbooks in general. I have a lot only because they were on sale, though the Jurassic Park 4k Steel Book I got at walmart for $15 hurt because I got it home and found the plastic on the spine was split so my Steel Book is now in two pieces. I also hate the cardboard they come with that has all the information on it so if you lose it you lose all that information. Either print it on the back of the book or print it inside the book. I think Steel Books are just a way to charge more for movies.

The Champ is here I'm the first one here

Great video!

Steel books have never been a big deal for me. I have a few of them, but I bought them for the movie, not the design. Now, I admit to picking up the SB of The Creature From the Black Lagoon recently at Wal-mart specifically as a collector's item. I had buyer's remorse as soon as I left the store! I already have the Universal box sets and another DVD, and I didn't need to get this. Good thing it wasn't very expensive. None of the other Universal monsters SBs were there, thank goodness, because I probably would have bought them all and then hated myself afterwards! If people like to focus on these as collectibles, that's fine. it's just not my thing. Same with slip cases. I like them, but they're not all that important. You make a good point about damaging collectibles. It's not just steel books, but expensive box sets as well. I happened to drop one recently and it now has a little tear on one corner. And it REALLY upset me! It's just another collector's quirk. You make another good point about the display factor. My movie room is very small and display opportunities are minimal. So, most of the cool artwork is going to be hidden on shelves. When I first started collecting VHS eons ago, I was able to display all the covers of my very minimal collection. But that soon became impossible. Everything has to evolve. By the way, you mentioned The Fifth Element. I went to see that movie when it first played in theaters, and I HATED it. I went with a couple of friends who were enjoying it thoroughly, and I kept walking out to the lobby just to get away from the situation! All these decades later, I'm wondering if I should give it another chance. Maybe I will. great video!

I buy my favorite movie since steelbook and that's it I don't go overboard slip covers I don't really care about it's a piece of cardboard it gets bent get scratched no matter what you do to protect them until they get tore up not worth the stress trying to find the night with nice one at the stores and they just have the dang movie❤

i agree as well my problem with them i do love collecting but my main issue is like yours order bunch threw best buy threw the mail came to me beat up messed up and they one thing also that ruins it for me is there will some steelbooks that just copst way to much i mean afterall its just a case but people wanna charge so much for a piece if metal when its just a movie its wild how much some of these steelbooks go for thats why im very picky about what i buy most them on 4k i just buy the standard edtion and in reality another things that is a let down a bunch ive seen htere be no artwork on the back or on the inside what is the point of buying it if your not going to put artwork on it its a waste of money so in light of this choose carefully what you buy

I don’t like steelbooks because they’re wider and take up more space, they get dented and scratched too easily, they’re usually more expensive than the standard slipcover version, they make the collection look less uniform, and they lack all the information such as the movie description, cast, run time, etc. The only steelbooks in my collection are for movies that aren’t available in the 4K format otherwise, or for movies where the Dolby Vision is exclusive to the steel book version. These are all my steelbooks: Rudy, Stand By Me, Godzilla (1998), Insidious, The Wicker Man (1973), The Hurt Locker, Air Force One, and Ran.

👍

My first steelbook purchase was the collectors edition of Halo 2. After owning it for about a year and playing through it a couple of times, I thought about dusting it off one more time. When I pulled it off the shelf I was surprised to see It was rusted over and nasty looking - didn't even touch it that much. Plus steelbooks get dented forever when you drop them so 0/10.

I would like to add creature of the black lagoon movie

Whoa! I made it into the video 😂

Well, I mean, the steelbook concept and design could be reframed, right? The steelbooks could be as replaceable as plastic cases are, which - yeah - would mean using art inserts under clear plastic instead of the art printed on the metal itself. Does that negate the very concept of the steelbook? I dunno. Maybe. But it would mean damaged steelbooks could just be replaced with a new steel case. The appeal of the steelbook is something I feel I was coerced into believing by the hype. I'd absorbed so much for so long about the supposed "prestige" of the steelbooks that I began to look at plastic case versions as inferior. It's not objectively true, of course, but now the seed's been planted and has grown inside me. After all, I'm not a real fan of The Shining if only the 4K slipcover plastic case edition is on the shelf. I should really get that yellow steelbook selling for $100 on eBay. That way, the movie will have more prestige sitting on the shelf in the room in my house that no one but my wife and I ever sees. It's important. Steelbooks. I'm waiting for all the old Stephen King novels to be released in steelbook form. These books, so antiquated with their paper and carboard and glue, are not what true fans should have to collect and read. We want the paper pages encased in steel with the artwork burned into the steel, with tiny dents poked into it and maybe a whole corner bent out of shape. If they tell me that's what I want for long enough, I'll of course begin to believe it. Hells yeah, the steelnovel edition. It's good that iPhones are now being issued in titanium-book form, although we're still somehow obligated to "protect" the titanium with plastic cases. Hey...wait a minute...

I just don’t understand the appeal of steelbooks. It’s not like the disc gets any special treatment.

Even though i have 100+ steelbooks. I don't collect them specifically. Main reason is they get scratched super easy. And that's just from sliding them in and out of the shelves.

Casual steelbook owner. I'm kinda over it. Funny you mention Fright Night, I have three copies of it. Got the TT at a con for $150 or so with the cast and director autographs. Really a steal since that was the only domestic version released at the time and OOP...pretty much the same price used. Thanks resellers. After that bought the Sony blu for the supposedly better picture and extras. Good purchase. I've watched both the TT and the Sony and like the Sony a little better. But the TT is fine. I wouldn't overpay for it, though. If "the market says" $100? Agree to disagree. Now I have the 4K steelbook. Haven't watched it yet, though. Just a laugh how you couldn't find this movie anywhere in HD for YEARS and now it's everywhere.

I have 45 steel book in my collection

I’m collecting steel books

If the steelbook is only about $5 more and i really love the artwork and the movie I'll buy iy otherwise it's the standard release for me

I completely understand. For us that don't care so much about the packaging, steelbooks are a waste of money. Currently, I want to purchase all three 4K releases of JL: Crisis on Infinite Earths but the 4Ks are only released as steelbooks. Number 2, those steelbooks are $30+. As of right now on 5/28/2024, Amazon says JL:COIE part one is $31.44 and part two is $47.99. The blu-rays are currently $14.96 for part one and $22.95 for part two. smh

80s made I have tons of movies and boutique movies and titles

I'm always afraid theyre gonna rust. Gimme plastic. Replaceable plastic.

I still grab steelbooks here and there but not nearly as much anymore and only if its an important film to me. Had to have the new Killer Klowns 4k steel from shout for example lol. They are a bit of a pain tho tbh, every steel I own(prob have a few hundred) is in a plastic protective sleeve to prevent scratches. To watch one gotta take it out the plastic each time, set the steel somewhere safe whilst im watching, that gets annoying. Never mind getting the discs out of some of those steels is another project in itself lol. I wasnt aware they reprinted 5th element, bought that day 1 as well as Fright Night 4k steel. They also just reprinted The Heavy Metal 4k steel, the only way to get Heavy Metal 2000 in hd.....thats how they sucker you in to buying these things sometimes

I enjoy the video I do care deeply about steel books

First - great video. Second - I have that shirt. Third - I agree on most of your points. However, as you correctly stated about other collectors...good for 'them' regarding how/what/why they collect. I hunt steels but...only what matters to me. I have maybe 300 steels or so. But I consider my collection an expression of myself and my taste or more important...what matters to me most. I agree also about reprint making a release not as special. IMO only, I don't care as I collect for value to me. I have Fright Night and don't feel bummed about the reprint. I own it because I like it. I am an 80's guy...a bit dated sure. I am glad consumers are pushing to get more physical media. I curate my collection frequently. Have some great rare stuff...but it is for me to enjoy and share with those who I befriend and enjoy seeing my passion for cinema. Cheers to you sir.

Sounds like more o a hassle than they're worth exspecially at tehe price point

I don’t have favorites I’m into A lot I keep my slip covers

I primarily desire steelbooks that somehow fit the movies they hold. Robocop, Terminator, if you had a Back to the Future DeLorean themed steelbook, etc. I went with the Dark Sky 4K steelbook of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre because I like how the original poster looks on it. I can give the Disney steelbooks a pass because they're a continuation of the tradition of Disney Treasures DVD tins, and there's a "vault" and film reel cans aesthetic about them. But did Coming To America really need a steelbook? I only got it because it was cheaper than the standard. Duel and Maximum Overdrive both have cool steelbooks that fit their movies imo. The Mist didn't really NEED a steelbook, but I liked the mist slipcover gimmick. Same with the Reservoir Dogs ear gimmick steelbook. But, like, Sony is putting out some really uninspired 4K steelbooks out. Steel Magnolias steelbook? I know it's got "steel" in the title, but really?

I never liked steelbooks. Digibooks were and are my jam. give me a book about the movie with the movie included any day lol

Im addicted obsessed with steel books

I stopped once they stopped doing the emboss and debrossing.

This is why I'm not a steelbook fan pay all that money for a damaged case what a waste of money

I was never a fan of steel books. I never trusted their latches. They don't "feel" closed even when they are legit closed. They dent and scratch easily. If it doesn't happen in the store or in the shipping box, it can happen while you handle it. They are Heavy. Maybe not one but a bunch on the same shelf can weigh it down. As for artwork: I would always prefer the original stuff. Plus, art is subjective and lot of steel book art makes me cringe. (That goes for standard releases, too). I can totally see the appeal for others though. And if steel books make it more fun for more people to buy physical media, then I'm all for it. Yes, I do get annoyed when the steel book option is the only option (Fright Night), but it's not that big a deal to me and I don't mind it here and there.

Heres my take on steel books if you like them an want to get them good for you go at it. But I personally don't like them for the reasons you talked about an one you did not. I always have a hard time getting the disk out of them. Because any time you put pressure any whare on it the hole thing flaxses. Unlike plastic one's you push the middle the case don't flex. I only have 3 Steel books one because it was the only way to get the Friday the 13th 4th anniversary Edition of the movie. Then A Nightmare on Elm Street because I went why not then the movie VHS 2000. Because it was cheap an it came with a DVD and Blu-ray of the movie. So I got both for like $15 but I don't plan on buying any more than that. For the reasons you mentioned an the one I put above. Because the only difference between a non Steel book an a Steel book. Is the case one is plastic an one is matel the disk in them have the exact same bonus features.

Sucks you get a lot of damages ones, I always get mine off amazon or other store and if it arrives damages i can request a new one or refund. But I started collecting them bc of the beautiful artwork they got and it was niche at the time. I still collect them but I feel like they gotten lazy with the art and gone minimalist and too popular. I also dont like the idea of limited editions because by the time I find out the movie had a steelbook version they're already going for 300+ on ebay for example Castle in the Sky which is rediculous.

None of mine are damage, you didn't stor right

I think you’re over thinking it.

Steelbooks are now the regular releases. You'll keep buying steelbooks don't lie

Hocus Pocus was a terrible film... There, I said it.