Two movies in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise slash their way onto 4K Blu-ray for the first time next week, and horror fans can save 50% on their preorders at Amazon. Arrow Video’s new limited-edition 4K restorations of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s 2003 remake and the 2006 prequel The Beginning are up for grabs for only $25 each (was $50). If you’re interested in owning both films on 4K, we’d recommend securing copies ahead of launch. Arrow Video’s Limited Editions truly are limited, and it’s not uncommon for them to sell out shortly after hitting store shelves. Both Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4K Limited Editions release August 26.
$25 (was $50) | Releases August 26
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Limited Edition comes with a 4K Blu-ray (2160p) disc compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10. Surround sound formats include DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and 5.1. Like many of Arrow Video’s Limited Editions, the packaging is designed for display. The reversible cover art and sleeve has original illustrations by Aaron Lea, an artist who has worked on Disney and Marvel projects. Lea’s artwork is also featured on a large, double-sided poster. An illustrated collector’s booklet with a retrospective by Michael Gingold is included, too.
On-disc special features include a new audio commentary, a handful of new interviews with the crew, and a bunch of legacy content from previous editions. There are three additional audio commentaries, a making-of documentary, alternate scenes, and more.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) Features:
- Reversible sleeve with new artwork
- Double-sided poster
- Illustrated collector’s booklet
- 4K Blu-ray with Dolby Vision & HDR10
- DTS-HD MA 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound / lossless stereo audio
- English subtitles
- New audio commentary with Steve Barton (Dread Central) and Chris MacGibbon (The Spooky Picture Show)
- Three archival audio commentaries with director Marcus Nispel, producer Michael Bay, writer Scott Kosar, actress Jessica Biel, and other cast and crew.
- New interview with director Marcus Nispel – Reimagining a Classic
- New interview with cinematographer Daniel Pearl
- New interview with actor Brett Wagner
- New interview with makeup effects artist Scott Stoddard
- New interview with composer Steve Jablonsky
- Making-of Documentary – Chainsaw Redux: Making A Massacre
- Ed Gein: The Ghoul of Plainfield: Featurette on the real killer Leatherface is based on.
- Severed Parts: Featurette on scenes cut from final edit.
- Deleted scenes
- Alternate opening and ending
- Screen tests: Jessica Biel, Eric Balfour, and Erica Leerhsen
- Additional behind-the-scenes featurette
- Additional Cast and crew interviews
- Theatrical trailers and commercials
- Concept art galleries
$25 (was $50) | Releases August 26
The Beginning serves as a prequel to the 2003 remake. Arrow Video’s 4K restoration includes the original theatrical version and the uncut edition. Both versions support Dolby Vision and HDR10. Audio options are slightly different between the two. The theatrical release has DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0, while the uncut version has those options as well as 7.1 surround sound.
The packaging and inserts match the style and tone of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Limited Edition. Aaron Lea created the artwork on the reversible cover and sleeve as well as the double-sided poster. Michael Gingold provided new writing for the illustrated collector’s booklet.
The Beginning doesn’t have as many special features, likely because it already includes two different cuts of the film. Most of the on-disc bonus content is new to this edition, including a fresh audio commentary and multiple interviews. Archival features include a making-of documentary, director audio commentary on the uncut edition, and more.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Features:
- Reversible sleeve with new artwork
- Double-sided poster
- Illustrated collector’s booklet
- Theatrical and Uncut versions on 4K Blu-ray
- Dolby Vision and HDR10 (Theatrical & Uncut)
- DTS-HD MA 7.1 (Uncut) / DTS-HD MA 5.1 & 2.0 (Theatrical & Uncut)
- English subtitles
- New audio commentary with Steve Barton (Dread Central) and Chris MacGibbon (The Spooky Picture Show)
- Archival audio commentary for Uncut version with director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller
- New interview with actor Lew Temple
- New interview with special effects makeup artist Jake Garber and special effects makeup technician Kevin Wasner.
- New interview with director of photography Lukas Ettlin
- Making-of Documentary – Down to the Bone: Anatomy of a Prequel
- Deleted scenes with optional director commentary
- Extended scenes with optional director commentary
- Theatrical trailer
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series currently has nine movies, but the 1974 original and the 1986 sequel are the only other entries with 4K Blu-ray editions. Arrow Video recently released The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 on 4K Blu-ray in the UK. This is a region-free edition, but it’s difficult to find and pricier than the upcoming duo since it’s not officially carried by US retailers.
Most of the new editions released over the years are for the 1974 original. You have a bunch of options to choose from, including a slipcased 4K Blu-ray for $20.59 and a Steelbook Edition for $28.65. For a more lavish box set with collectibles, check out the 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition. Released last fall, this 4K Blu-ray edition comes with a mini chainsaw replica, a slipcased 4K Blu-ray with exclusive artwork, a collector’s box, and a VHS edition that actually works–if you have a tape player. The 50th Anniversary Edition launched with an absurdly high $400 price, but you can get it for 50% off at Amazon. Yes, $200 is still very expensive. If you want a collectible to display, the 40th Anniversary Black Maria Edition packages a standard Blu-ray in a replica semi-truck box based on the Black Maria.
Unlike many horror franchises, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre hasn’t been released as a box set, so you need to buy each movie individually to complete your collection. Unfortunately, fully completing your collection isn’t possible, because the 2022 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a Netflix movie, and the streamer’s original content rarely moves off the platform.
Below, we’ve listed the first eight films in the franchise on standard Blu-ray. It’s worth noting that Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1997) is the director’s cut of The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1995). Shout Factory’s Blu-ray release includes both versions. While most of the Blu-ray editions are super cheap, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is only available from resellers on Blu-ray. We included the DVD edition in the list below, because it’s far more affordable.
