Nothing can top the new Criterion release of “Anora,” with the best artwork of the month and a beautiful DigiPack for the 4K version. Anytime an Academy Award Best Picture winner gets released on physical media, I buy it to add to my shelf of Oscar winners. Generally, I wait for Barnes & Noble sales to buy Criterion, but I could not wait for this one. Another Best Picture winner, “Gandhi,” was released in a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook and features some great artwork. Although it already had a 4K release in a Columbia Classics Collection, it is nice to have it in its own space on the Best Picture wall.

Some of the big highlights of April were the Warner Bros Steelbook releases of the Clint Eastwood films, all getting 4K upgrades. The artwork is great on all three, and there were plenty of worthwhile options, with slick slipcover versions and the higher quality artwork on the Steelbooks. Even though I have an international Steelbook set to arrive of “Companion,” I couldn’t help buying the 4K Slipcover release in the States, as it’s one of my favorite movies of the year so far. There’s a matte finish on the Slipcover that makes it a must-own. Then, Lionsgate continues to be the best label for Steelbooks. They released two Amazon Exclusives in “Flight Risk” and “Plane,” with new designs and clear Slipcovers. They also release two Lionsgate Limited titles for “Basic Instinct” and “King of New York.”

Unlike most months, Walt Disney made some splashes with their releases. The 2024 title “Mufasa: The Lion King” received a 4K Steelbook, and the much-talked-about “Tombstone” was released in a 4K Steelbook with some impressive art. Paramount released two Steelbook designs for “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” featuring the title character, Sonic, and one with the villain, Shadow. My Vinegar Syndrome purchases for the month were “Love Crime,” from the IFC Films partner label, and “Last Tango in Paris,” for which I opted for the Melúsine Exclusive Box Set. Kino Lorber released some impressive 4 Ks this month, of which I bought “Career Opportunities,” “Foul Play,” and “Sneakers.” I went pretty light on Shout Factory for the month, deciding on only the 4K release of “Timecop” and the 4K Steelbook of the anime “Summer Wars,” which contains some of my least favorite artwork of the month. Also low on my list of favorites is the 4K Steelbook for “Stripes.”

I ordered the Warner Archive Collection Blu-Ray of “Just Friends,” but after several delays, it still hasn’t arrived. I also ordered the Shout Factory Steelbook of “Renfield” from Walmart, but they delayed my order for so long that it got canceled, and I haven’t had a chance to go to a brick-and-mortar store to see if it’s available. I also own an international copy of the movie, so I’m not sure I’ll work that hard to find it. Next month, I’m most looking forward to “Captain America” Brave New World,” which is getting a 4K Steelbook, the Arrow Video releases of “Jason Goes to Hell” and “Jaxon X,” and the Kino Lorber releases of “Kingpin” and “Wayne’s World 2.” It’s nice to see comedies getting the 4K treatment, with Shout Factory announcing “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.”