Why So Blu?

Paramount Scares: Volume 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

On October 24th, Paramount unleashed upon us a new vision of horror – Paramount Scares: Volume 1 on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray! This mega set intended to highlight horror of all different subgenres and eras in their history as a studio. In addition to including five films (one of them a MYSTERY TITLE…which is Sweeny Todd), the set also came in a nice box that featured some physical goodies related to the films. Armed with a collectible, customized to the films in this set issue of Fangoria, as well as a set of stickers and a enamel pin bearing the Paramount Scares logo, this set is one for those of us still attracted to collecting ridiculous boxed sets like this. Like this box houses all those goodies, this review is going to house all the separate written reviews and videos myself and others at Why So Blu have published, in order to make this a one-stop shop for this fabulous set.

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Paramount Scares: Volume 1 features 5 films collected together in one big box to house them all side by side. Each film comes in its own amaray case that has its own slipcover unique to this set. Said film take a journey through Paramount’s horror history into different eras and genres. It starts in the 1960s with paranormal religious horror showcased in Rosemary’s Baby, then jumping to the 1980s with the zombie horror Stephen King staple Pet Sematary. Another jump goes to the 00s with a horror/gore-fest musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. A couple more recent classics, survival creature feature Crawl and box office smash paranormal thriller Smile round out the set. All films come with a digital code. Only Rosemary’s Baby, Pet Sematary and Sweeney Todd include a standard Blu-ray disc companion.

For a further look at the packaging and the physical extras inside, here’s an unboxing/packaging review video I did on The Brandon Peters Show YouTube channel.

Here are links to the individual reviews for the films included in the set, which lay out the extras and specs for these movies.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Brandon Peters

Pet Sematary (1989) – Adam Toroni-Byrne

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (2007) – Brandon Peters

Crawl (2019) – Adam Toroni-Byrne

Smile (2022) – Brandon Peters

Summary

Paramount Scares: Volume 1 is a really impressive set if you’re able to actually hold and venture through it. Yes, it includes many same discs that have been previously released. If you like the movies and don’t own most of them, then this is really the best way to sweep them up in one click. The Fangoria magazine included here as well as the stunning new transfer on Sweeney Todd really highlight the release for me. I’m hoping Paramount doesn’t stop here and we truly get a Volume 2 in the near future (Doesn’t just have to be October, I’m fine being scared all year round!). The only qualm is the lack of new extras on these films, but, as I said they are the previous releases. Having it in front of you and holding it, you can really tell A LOT of care truly went into this labor of love. If you’re able to own it, definitely do! But its also very understandable if you already own these movies and just want to wait for a solo Sweeney Todd release.

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