"Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock" Season 1 Coming to DVD & Bluray!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced that Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock is coming to DVD and Blu-ray.

The first season of the Apple TV+ reboot makes it's home video debut on Nov. 19.

The DVD collection includes all 14 in standard definition, with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.

The Blu-ray Disc set features the same episodes presented in high-definition with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Three of the episodes come with commentary tracks with John Tartaglia and Karen Prell as well as  a blooper reel and four sing-alongs.

No pre-order links have been released yet, but we'll update this post when they're up.

The DVD and Blu-ray can be ordered using these links from Amazon.

Note: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Criterion Releasing Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio in 4k!

Criterion is releasing Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio in 4k, Blu-ray, and DVD. 

This will mark the first Henson production to join the Criterion collection. 

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio comes to Criterion collection chock full of special features not available on Netflix. 

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• 4K digital master, supervised by directors Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson, with Dolby Atmos
  
  
• One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  
  
• Handcarved Cinema, a new documentary featuring del Toro, Gustafson, and cast and crew, including the film’s puppet creators, production designers, and animation supervisor
  
  
• Directing Stop-Motion, a new program featuring del Toro and Gustafson
  
  
• New conversation between del Toro and film critic Farran Smith Nehme
  
  
• New interview with curator Ron Magliozzi on The Museum of Modern Art’s 2022 exhibition devoted to the film
  
  
• New program on the eight rules of animation that informed the film's production
  
  
• Panel discussion featuring del Toro, Gustafson, production designer Guy Davis, composer Alexandre Desplat, and sound designer Scott Martin Gershin, moderated by filmmaker James Cameron
  
  
• Conversation among del Toro, Gustafson, and author Neil Gaiman
  
  
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and English descriptive audio
  
  
• PLUS: Essays by film critic Matt Zoller Seitz and author Cornelia Funke

The cover uses the theatrical poster art by James Jean.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio will be released Dec 12, 202. 

You can pre-order it from Criterion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, 

Street Gang Backer Blu-rays On The Way!

When Screen Media's excellent documentary Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street was released to home media last month, we didn't cover it since the film's Indiegogo crowd sourced backers did not yet get their copies.

We reached out to the producers who just informed us:

We just received our copies of the BluRay so we will be sending out a to copies shortly. Also the Soundtrack hasn’t been released yet, but we are working to narrow that release window soon.


Thanks

The Street Gang Team

 

So there you have it Indiegogo backers, if your pledge included a DVD or Blu-ray of Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street they are on their way.

You may have noticed that the producers are also working on getting the Soundtrack released as well.

Bonus Material Include:

"Jerry and Richard" - The Puppeteers
"When it Went Wrong" - Muppet Outtakes
"Joe Raposo" - Musical Genius
"Sunny Days" - Origin of a Song
"Sounds of Sesame Street" Featurette


If you weren't part of the film's Indiegogo campaign the DVD and BluRay are available now on Amazon.

"Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street" Blu-ray & DVD Announced!

While Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street isn't set to hit theaters until Friday, we've gotten word about the home video release date.

The Digital Bits and Amazon are both touting a July 6th release. 

No bonus features have been announced yet.

I would also imagine if you were an initial Indiegogo backer for the film and selected a DVD or Blu-ray of the film as part of your package that it will be the same as the retail version. 

The film will be rolling out to theaters across the country starting Friday April 23 and a full list of locations and dates can be found here. 

You can pre-order the Blu-ray for $29.98 and the DVD for $24.98 from Amazon.

"Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme with Elmo" Coming to DVD in September!

Monster Hits are coming to DVD. Specially, Sesame Street Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme With Elmo. 

Shout! Kids and Sesame Workshop will release Sesame Street Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme With Elmo on DVD and for digital download in September.

In Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme with Elmo, the sing-along fun never ends! Each song goes with three Sesame Street clips, tying together classic nursery rhymes like "The Muffin Man" to laugh-out-loud moments such as Cookie Monster and Gonger whipping up cranberry muffins in their Foodie Truck. Little ones will love to move, groove, and learn with their favorite friends from Sesame Street.

The release also includes 2011's previously released Elmo’s Music Magic as well as an exclusive Elmo poster.

Check out a trailer below:

Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme with Elmo will be released September 1st and is available for pre-order now through Amazon.  

Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration DVD!

In case you missed it on HBO and PBS and want it for your collection, Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration is now available on DVD!

Below is the official synopsis.

C is for Celebrate!
Join host Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the residents of Sesame Street—human and monsters alike—to celebrate 50 years of learning, laughter, and love.

Familiar felt faces like Roosevelt Franklin, Don Music, Sherlock Hemlock, and Kermit the Frog join celebrity guests Norah Jones, Nile Rodgers, Sterling K. Brown, Meghan Trainor, Patti LaBelle, and Elvis Costello in this heartwarming special.

Bonus Features:
Elmo's World: Celebration
50 Years In 50 Seconds

You can order it now from Amazon, and wherever DVDs are sold. 

The Muppet Movie at 40: Home Video Releases!

With celebration of The Muppet Movie's 40th anniversary, we look back at the variety of formats on which people have been able to watch the film at home. 

After it's massive theatrical debut in the summer in 1979, The Muppet Movie made its way to home video in 1980. 


Among it's first releases was this laserdisc released in 1980 by Magnetic Video:

Which was basically the same as their concurrent VHS release:

In addition to laserdisc, and VHS, Magnetic Video also released The Muppet Movie on another now long forgotten format, Beta:

RCA released the film on Selectivision 1981, 

and The Muppet Movie was major part of the company's ad campaign for their VideoDisc System. 

In the 80's through 90's The Muppet Movie was released and rereleased on VHS.

CBS/Fox Video released versions in 1982 and 1984. 

In 1993, Disney released The Muppet Movie on VHS with a free watch, 

as well as a laserdisc that would mark the first time the film was released in Widescreen.

Sony's dual format releases in 1999 marked two occasions, the first time The Muppet Movie was released on DVD and the last time it was released on VHS in the US.

The scant bonus features included director Jim Frawley's camera tests as well as Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Rizzo Muppetisms initially made for the Odessay network. 

Soon after acquiring The Muppets, Disney released The Muppet Movie: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition in recognition of Kermit's 50th anniversary. 

The sole bonus feature was Pepe Profiles: Kermit. 

In 2011, Disney released the first ever Bluray of The Muppet Movie with their Nearly 35th Anniversary Edition.   

This release saw the return of Pepe’s Profiles: Kermit - A Frog's Life, an extended version of Jim Frawley's camera test, along with Doc Hopper's Commercial, Original Theatrical Trailers, Frog-E-Oke Sing-Along/ Disney Intermission, and a hidden easter egg of Kermit's bicycle outtakes

This was the film's first HD release, check out this comparison on the upgraded picture from the previously released DVD. 

The Muppet Movie has also been released on home video around the world, but two UK releases stand out among the rest, and for the exact opposite reason. 

This 1987 UK VHS release by Palace, Virgin/PVG is notable for having many differences from the US theatrical version. 

It runs a full 5 minutes longer and includes a slightly longer comedy club performance from Fozzie, a longer dance number with Kermit, a short opening and closing speech from Doc Hopper on his French Fried Frogs Legs commercial, a longer conversation between Doc Hopper and Max before they encountered Kermit and Fozzie in the rainbow-painted Studebaker, Dr. Teeth gives a more in-depth reading from the script over scenes from the film, an extra verse is added to "I Hope That Something Better Comes Along", a different instrumental track is used for "Never Before, Never Again", and the Muppets' conversations during the end credits can be heard.

You can watch Dr. Teeth's extended script reading and hear the alternate music during "Never Before, Never Again" below:

By far the most interesting release of The Muppet Movie though was its VERY first home video release in 1980 on Super 8 film. 

The home video market was just starting and no format (VHS, Beta, or laserdisc) had really taken hold yet, and therefore there weren't any real standard players. Super 8 film was popular for recording home movies and therefore many people already had the projectors in their homes.

The studios wanted to capitalize on this accessibility, so they released many popular films on the format including Star Wars. One of the problems though was how much content could fit on the small reel of film. The full length of feature films was too long for the reels so they needed to be edited in order to fit. 

The total run of this version is a scant 18 minutes. Most of the running gags, most second verses of songs were all cut. New sound effects and audio cues were created. All the guest stars appear, though some of their lines were cut, and except for the shot were Doc Hopper and Max get hit with the giant pie, they are neither seen nor mentioned. 

You can watch the entire Super 8 version below:

Remember, you can celebrate The Muppet Movie's 40th Anniversary not just at home, but at a theater near you too thanks to Fathom Events. 

And here's something you'll only see in the theater, the Universal logo. 

According to Jim Henson Legacy President Craig Shemin, while ATV was the original distributor, and The Jim Henson Company owned the rights for a while, and though Disney owns the rights to film now, Universal owns the exclusive theatrical rights in perpetuity!

I hope you enjoyed this look back at the many sizes, shapes, and formats The Muppet Movie has been released. 

Who know what formats will be next, but someday we'll find it....until then, check out the alternate end credit sequence from the extended version where you can actually hear the Muppets dialogue during the credits. 

Coming Soon: Sesame Street 50th Anniversary DVD Box Set!

Shout Factory will release Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting, a DVD and digital collection of the show’s greatest hits this fall.

According to the official description:

"This special 2 DISC COLLECTION is packed with the most beloved moments from the show, including Maria and Luis's wedding, Mr. Hooper's death, the moment Snuffleupagus became "real," and that one time Gordon and Big Bird (and Snuffy!) ran the New York City Marathon. Plus fan favorites like Forgetful Jones, the Amazing Mumford, Sherlock Hemlock, Don Music, and even Lefty the Salesman can be found in OVER 5 HOURS of Sesame Street.

Joining the furry festivities are a host of special guests, including classic clips of Madeline Kahn, REM, and Patti LaBelle; songs from Solange, Sara Bareilles, Janelle Monáe, and Josh Groban; and belly laughs courtesy of Amy Poehler, Jeff Goldblum, and Ricky Gervais.

Brought to you by the letters B, I, R, T, H, D, A, and Y!

Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting will be released on DVD and via digital download on October 1 and can be pre-ordered now from Shout Factory. 

The Muppet Show Re-released on DVD!

Disney has re-released seasons 1-3 of The Muppet Show. 

Before you get overly excited, these are the exact same versions that were previously released including the edited season 1 episodes.

The difference now is that they are in standard DVD jewel cases instead of digi-packs. 

The only other difference I could see was the addition of the ABC Studios logo on the spin.

It's nice to see Disney reissuing these, though it would be even nicer if we got seasons 4 & 5, a complete (unedited) box set, and a Blu-Ray remastering! 

Hint,Hint, nudge, nudge, Disney. 

Happytime Murders Now Available on Blu-ray and DVD!

The Happytime Murders makes it debut on Blu-ray and DVD today!  

The Blu-ray combo pack includes the Blu-ray, DVD, and a digital copy.

Both the Blu-ray and DVD will contain the following bonus features:

• Deleted Scenes 
• Gag Reel 
• Line-O-Rama 
• Virtual Environments 
• Avatar Demo 
• VFX Breakdown 
• Feature Commentary with Director Brian Henson and Bill Barretta 
• Trailers

Audio options for both are English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), with the Blu-ray adding English (DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1).

You can order it now from Amazon and wherever Blu-rays and DVDs are sold!

Happytime Murders Official Blu-ray Cover and Extras!

The official cover art and bonus features for The Happytime Murders Bluray and DVD have been revealed!  

The Blu-ray combo pack will include the Blu-ray, DVD, digital copy.

Both the Blu-ray and DVD will contain the following bonus features:

• Deleted Scenes 
• Gag Reel 
• Line-O-Rama 
• Virtual Environments 
• Avatar Demo 
• VFX Breakdown 
• Feature Commentary with Director Brian Henson and Bill Barretta 
• Trailers

Audio options for both are English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), with the Blu-ray adding English (DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1).

The Happytime Murders Blu-Ray and DVD will be released December 4, 2018, while the digital only copy will be released November 20th.  

You can pre-order it now from Amazon.

Happytime Murders Coming to Bluray, DVD, and Digital!

The Happytime Murders may not have lit up the box office, but it will be coming soon to a Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital player near you soon.

 

As with most releases these days the digital copy will be released first on November 20th, with the physical DVD and Bluray, DVD, and digital copy combo pack coming December 4th.

You can pre-order them now on Amazon using the links above.

Sesame Workshops Adds Another Emmy to Their Collection!

Sesame Workshops won another Emmy last night at the Creative Arts Emmys!

They won best Children's Program for their primetime special The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special

The now Emmy awarding winning special makes it's DVD debut November 6 and can be pre-ordered through Amazon. 

Congrats to everyone involved!

Muppet Babies: "Time to Play!" DVD!

It's "Time to Play" the new Muppet Babies' first DVD!

The disc contains the first 6 episodes of the series:

“Sir Kermit the Brave”/”Animal Fly Airplane”
“Hatastrophe/Fly South”
“The Great Muppet Sport-a-Thon/You Say Potato, I Say Best Friend”
“Super Fabulous vs. Captain Icecube/Piggy’s Time Machine”
BONUS FEATURES:

Bonus Episodes: “How Kermit Got His Groove/One Small Problem”, “Playground Pirates/ The Blanket Fort”

Show and Tell Shorts: “Kermit”, “Piggy”, “Fozzie”, “Gonzo”, “Summer”, “Animal”, “Kermit and Piggy”, “Kermit and Fozzie”, “Piggy and Gonzo”, “The Great Muppet (Short) Musical”

Music Videos: “What’s so Scary About the Dark?”, “Never Have to Say Goodbye (To the Summer)”, “Get Back in the Game”, “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait”, “You Can be a Dancer”, “Muppet Pirate Shanty”

Interestly "Time to Play" was also the name of a 1993 VHS release of the original series:

You can get your today through Amazon and wherever DVDs are sold. 

New Dinosaur Train and Splash DVD's!

Two new Henson DVD's came out this week

First, Splash and Bubbles make their DVD debut with "One Bog Ocean,"

And Dinosaur Train has new compilation of episodes about "Making New Friends."

Both are available at the links above through Amazon and at stores near you. 

Sesame Street: Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas DVD!

You can keep Christmas with all you through the year with the home video release of last year's Sesame Street primetime special Sesame Street: Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas.

Sesame Street: Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas DVD:

Among it's bonus features, the DVD also includes the full length special A Sesame Street Christmas Carol.

A book based on the special was also released.

Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas Book:

All are now available at the links above. 

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas 40th Anniversary DVD!

It's hard to believe, but this year marks the 40th anniversary of the perennial Henson classic
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

It's also hard to believe that this marks the first time the special has been officially released on DVD with Kermit's scenes intact! 

So far, the only brick and mortar store that seems to have in their store is Barnes & Noble.  Walmart, Target, and Best Buy carry it, but only online. Of course you can also order your copy from Amazon.