Clockwise from top left: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Lucasfilm/Disney+), Andor (Lucasfilm/Disney+), The Beekeeper (Amazon MGM Studios)Image: The A.V. Club
Physical media may be devalued by some in our streaming-dominated world, but you’d be surprised how many great titles are only available on disc. Also, some titles can be so much more rewarding on DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K UHD, especially when they’re loaded with special packaging and bonus features. With that in mind, here’s a look at all the best films and TV series that you can spin starting in April 2024, including Jason Statham in the action-thriller The Beekeeper, plus the disc debuts of Disney+ series such as Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Moon Knight, and The Falcon And The Winter Soldier. Also arriving this month are recent theatrical movies such as Madame Web, Mean Girls, and Lisa Frankenstein, as well as the 4K UHD debuts of Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Trilogy, and the cult horror film Basket Case.
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Available April 9 Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse star in Lisa Frankenstein, the directorial debut of Zelda Williams. The official description of the 1980s-set horror-comedy written by Diablo Cody reads: “A coming-of-rage love story about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness … and a few missing body parts along the way.” Available on DVD and , Lisa Frankenstein’s bonus features include deleted scenes, a gag reel, “Resurrecting The ‘80s,” “An Electric Connection,” “A Dark Comedy Duo,” and a commentary track by Zelda Williams — the daughter of the late Robin Williams.
The Departed (2006)
Available April 23 Martin Scorsese’s epic crime drama The Departed won four Oscars, including Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The official description of the movie starring Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg reads: “The Departed is set in South Boston where the state police force is waging an all-out war to take down the city’s top organized crime ring. The key is to end the reign of powerful mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson).” Warner Bros. has remastered the Oscar-winning film for its debut. Bonus features include a three-part “Stranger Than Fiction” featurette, which is broken down into “The True Story Of Whitey Bulger,” “Southie And The Departed,” and “Crossing Criminal Cultures.” There is also the “Guilt And Betrayal: Looking Into The Departed” featurette and nine additional scenes with intros by Scorsese.
Available April 23 Jason Statham scored a surprise hit as the lead of the David Ayer-directed action-thriller The Beekeeper, which grossed more than $152 million worldwide. The official description for the movie, also starring Emmy Raver-Lampman, Bobby Naderi, Josh Hutcherson, and Jeremy Irons, reads: “In The Beekeeper, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as ‘Beekeepers.’” The bare-bones The Beekeeper physical release is available on both and Blu-ray, each packaged with a redeemable code for a digital copy of Statham’s latest action pic.
Andor: The Complete First Season (2022)
Available April 30 If you don’t have Disney+, April is the month to pick up some fan-favorite Star Wars and MCU series on disc for the first time. First up is Andor, a prequel series to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story featuring Diego Luna reprising his role as Cassian Andor. The official description reads: “Explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception, and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.” Andor: The Complete First Season is available on both and Blu-ray, including a collectible SteelB00k edition. There are several extensive behind-the-scenes bonus features about the series’ origins, the shoot in Scotland, the Empire’s penal system, character spotlights, stunts, and much more.
Available April 30Also debuting on disc for the first time is the complete Obi-Wan Kenobi series featuring Ewan McGregor reprising his role as the titular Jedi. The series takes place between Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge Of The Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, during which time Obi-Wan must have aged hard to transform from McGregor to Alec Guinness. In addition to McGregor, Obi-Wan Kenobi features the return of Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader. Available on both Blu-ray and 4K UHD — including a collectible edition — Obi-Wan Kenobi’s bonus features include “Duels Of Fate: Obi-Wan Vs. Vader,” “The Dark Times: Villains,” “Designing The Galaxy,” and a series-finale commentary track by director Deborah Chow.
Moon Knight: The Complete First Season (2022)
Available April 30 Another Disney+ series arriving on disc for the first time is Marvel’s Moon Knight starring Oscar Isaac. The official description reads: “When Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac), a mild-mannered gift shop employee, becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life, he discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.” Moon Knight: The Complete First Season is available on both and Blu-ray. Extras include a featurette on Egyptology, “Assembled: The Making Of Moon Knight,” deleted scenes, and a gag reel.
Ocean’s Trilogy (2001-2007)
Available April 30Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Trilogy — Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen — arrives this month for the first time on . George Clooney plays Danny Ocean, who leads a gang to commit some extraordinary heists in Las Vegas and Europe in this trilogy starring Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy García, Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, Bernie Mac, Elliott Gould, and Carl Reiner. Each movie contains several making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes ported over from the previous Blu-ray releases, including commentary tracks on all three movies by Soderbergh.
The Falcon And The Winter Solider: The Complete First Season (2021)
Available April 30 Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprise their MCU roles as Sam Wilson/Falcon and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, respectively, on the Disney+ series The Falcon And The Winter Soldier. The official description of the six-episode series reads: “The pair, who came together in the final moments of Avengers: Endgame, team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities — and patience.” Available on both and Blu-ray, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier’s bonus features include “Cap’s Shield,” “Assembled: The Making Of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier,” deleted scenes, and a gag reel.
Madame Web (2024)
Available April 30 For those of you who’ve never met a superhero flick that you didn’t like comes the critically panned Madame Web, set in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). The official description of the origin story starring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Adam Scott, and Emma Roberts reads: “The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who develops the power to see the future… and realizes she can use that insight to change it. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women bound for powerful destinies… if they can all survive a deadly present.” Available on both and Blu-ray, Madame Web’s bonus features include several behind-the-scenes and making-of featurettes, plus a deleted scene, a gag reel, and Easter eggs.
Basket Case (1982)
Available April 30 Arrow Video brings Frank Henenlotter’s cult classic horror film Basket Case to for the first time this month. The official description reads: “Duane Bradley seems like a pretty ordinary guy. His formerly conjoined twin, Belial, on the other hand, is a deformed creature who lives in a wicker basket. Arriving in the Big Apple and taking up a room at a seedy hotel, the pair set about hunting down and butchering the surgeons responsible for their separation.” The disc is loaded with a full basket of bonus features, including a commentary track, interviews with the cast and crew, a feature-length documentary on the three Basket Case movies, outtakes, archival behind-the-scenes featurettes, the “Belial’s Dream” animated short, and so much more. Basket Case also comes bundled with a collectible booklet and a double-sided, fold-out poster featuring both the original and newly commissioned artwork.