Eight Out-Of-Print Horror Titles Now Available as Digital Downloads

As horror fans, if there's one thing we know all too well, it is that the genre titles we've come to love are often at high risk for going out of print (OOP) at a moment’s notice. With many of our favorite films being released by smaller distributors, a second or third printing of these titles is not always likely. With that in mind, it’s always wise to pick them up upon release. However, with the growing popularity of Video on Demand, if you do miss the DVD release/re-release of a noteworthy title, you may not be forced to pay an outrageous amount of cash to add it to your collection. More and more titles are being made available via the digital platform – even titles that are currently out of print on DVD. 

 

As a collector, I always prefer the DVD or Blu-ray version of a film to the digital copy when possible, but I'm quickly becoming a fan of the digital version in instances where the tactile release of a film is out of reach. Since offering the download of a film requires little more than maintaining the rights to the title, it's much more cost-effective than a full-blown DVD release. That allows companies like Amazon and iTunes to sell digital copies at a reasonable price and make OOP films available via the digital platform.

 

Below, you'll find some of our top picks for out-of-print horror films currently available for digital download.

 

 

 

Brad Dourif (Child's Play) fans who haven’t seen this overlooked sci-fi horror feature should give it a chance. Some genre film enthusiasts might be hesitant to do so, seeing as how there are limited rental options available, and a new DVD copy is fairly cost-prohibitive. The good news is that Eric Red's Body Parts is being offered as a digital download for under $10.00, and if you haven’t seen the film, it's also available as a digital rental for $2.99 on Amazon.

 

 

 

While Scanners II and III have been given the deluxe Blu-ray treatment and are still available from Scream Factory, the original David Cronenberg classic is out of print, and expensive to purchase if you're after a new copy. Like the other entries on this list, Scanners is available as a digital download from Amazon, and it will only set you back about $15.00 for a standard-definition version of the film. If you are concerned about the resolution, it's also available in HD for a few bucks more. 

 

 

 

This timeless tale of giving birth to a being that is a physical manifestation of one’s hatred is undoubtedly a source of inspiration for the 2013 film Bad Milo. In spite of being a bold film that inspired countless others, the DVD release of The Brood is currently on manufacturing moratorium and is not available (new) for under $30.00. However, rest assured you can still grab a copy as a digital download for just $14.99 in SD and the HD version for $19.99.

 

 

 

Nicolas Roeg’s giallo-inspired horror film has been out of print for a spell, and is commanding a handsome sum at leading online resellers. A new DVD copy is fetching sums over $50.00. Those wanting to obtain this slow-burn horror classic for their collection at a reasonable price aren’t totally out of luck, though: Don’t Look Now is available in SD as a digital download for as little as $9.99 on Amazon – and the HD version is just $17.99. 

 

 

 

This Brian DePalma classic is out of print on DVD and Blu-ray. The title received a limited edition Blu-ray release, but that was out of print almost as quickly as it was made available; a new copy is now commanding upwards of $40.00 online, and the DVD is increasing in price as well. The good news is that you can obtain a digital download of the film for just $7.99 in SD and $12.99 in HD. While the download doesn't include all the special features found on the discs, the difference in price makes the digital format worthy of consideration, and the availability of a hi-res version for so low a price is a nice alternative to paying an outrageous sum for a HD copy.

 

 

 

Anchor Bay's Sleepaway Camp "Survival Kit" box set has been out of print for some time. The first installment is receiving the Blu-ray treatment from Scream Factory in May, but the second and third films in the series are still OOP on DVD for the foreseeable future. They are both, however, available via VOD for under $10.00 per title in standard-def and $14.99 in HD. This is a considerable savings over what a new copy is going for on DVD. 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to check out our two previous features on Out-Of-Print horror flicks that'll make you drool... and scream!