It’s hard to talk about slashers without mentioningA Nightmare on Elm Street. TheWes Cravenclassic first gavehorrorfans nightmares in the fall of 1984 and, for the last 40 years,Freddy Kruegerhas been a genre icon. The film is one of the last core slashers to get the 4K treatment, but that’s finally changing in 2024. It was previously revealed that Freddy’s introduction would be coming to 4K with aUK Steelbook. However, now the American 4K Steelbook forElm Streetyou dreamed of is here, and its old-school look will make any fan nostalgic.
The 4K/Digital combo pack features a design reminiscent of the genre during the VHS era of the 80s. It’s fitting, givenElm Streetwas released in the heart of that boom, before “Freddy-Mania” would take over the merchandising scene. The vintage artwork has a haunting silhouette ofFreddy’s razor blade glovewith claw marks topping off the moody atmosphere. The Steelbook even has the 80s Warner Brothers and Warner Home Video logos to complete the killer look.
In addition, Freddy can be seen peeking out a tear on the back of the Steelbook and the inside artwork has the slasher villain in his famous boiler room. If that wasn’t enough, the cover even has an orange “Horror” label just like video stores used to categorize their movies. While we still don’t know if there will be any new special features attached to this release, this 4K willinclude both the theatrical and unrated cutsof the film. Hopefully, since it’sElm Street’s 40th anniversary, WB will give horror fans one or two new features to munch on.
Freddy Still Gives Us Nightmares
WhenNightmare onElm Streetwas released, no one could have predicted its complete takeover of the horror genre. With just one film, he dethroned Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees for the slasher killer crown. That was thanks to Craven’s chilling atmosphere, the memorable characters, and a stellar concept that made it harder to sleep at night. A killer that can enter your dreams is just as scary as it was in 1984.
WhatRobert Englund brought to Freddywas this playful yet drop-dead menacing presence that only characters likeMia Goth’s Pearl have ever replicated. The green and red sweater, paired with the dirty brown fedora, became the most-feared combo of the 80s. Whilethe endless sequelswould turn Freddy into more of a wise-cracking comedic character, that doesn’t take away what Craven and Englund established in that original nightmare.Heather Langenkamp’s Nancy Thompsonis also one of the best “Final Girls” in horror history.
Where Can You Stream ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’?
A Nightmare on Elm Streetis currently streaming on AMC+. There’s no release date for the US 4K steelbook yet, but it’s up for pre-order now onGruv’s websitefor $29.99 USD. While fans anxiously wait for news on thenextNightmare onElm Streetfilm, you’re able to watch the trailer for the Craven classic below.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Teenager Nancy Thompson must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove in their dreams, in which if they die, it kills them in real life.
