The Best Blu-ray Movies EVER (2008)

LOOKING FOR THE BEST BLU-RAY MOVIES?

Are you wondering what the top 10 Blu-ray movies are? Well, you need look no further, you have come to the right place. This page includes the best Blu-ray movies ever as defined by expert reviewers online. For this list, I have set aside my own somewhat biased personal opinions about specific movies and instead focused on what the experts have to say.

This movie list is created with an emphasis on quality of picture, sound and special features with some consideration given to the movie itself in an attempt to bring to you the best viewing experience possible on your HDTV. It is not a blockbuster movie list, not a list of the best films ever nor a list of the Academy Award's Best Picture nominated movies. Instead, it is a list of movies that are intended to showcase your home theatre and provide a truly awesome high definition viewing experience. It contains some absolutely amazing individual movies, boxed sets and collections.

Remember the mandate of this list. Top quality Blu-ray films! In order to maximize your home theatre experience, the Blu-ray movies on this list have the best Picture Quality, Sound Quality and Extras.

This list was originally written in 2008, when these movies were much newer. However, it is still an excellent reference list of top-rated Blu-ray movies.

GAME OF THRONES COMPLETE SECOND SEASON REVIEW AND TRAILER 

When my research revealed that Game of Thrones: The Complete Second Season was at the absolute TOP of the pile as the best Blu-ray movie, I was shocked and amazed that a television mini series ranked so well.

Having said that, I must admit that first the Game of Thrones books held my family's attention and then the television series did and even I reluctantly watched Game of Thrones, The Complete First Season.

My sons were shocked and disbelieving that I watched it because The Game of Thrones would surely be an R rated movie if it was at the movie theatre. It is packed with violence and sex, something that I normally don't watch but it had a good story, too and characters you grew to care about.

The Game of Thrones pulled out all the stops and left viewers everywhere talking about it and wanting more. If you don't already own it and you aren't put off by the R rated content mentioned above, you should want to add  The Game of Thrones on Blu-ray to your collection. 

Here is the Season 2 trailer:

Blu-ray.com declared the season 2 discs, "stunning, near-flawless -- if not source-perfect" and called the audio, "powerful and precise."

Order the Game of Thrones, Season 2, from Amazon.

THE TITANIC BLU-RAY MOVIE REVIEW

The original release of The Titanic was in 1997 and at that time the movie was well received and achieved huge commercial and critical success. It was nominated for an amazing 14 Academy Awards and took home 11 of them including Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. It was the first film ever to gross over a billion dollars and was the highest grossing film of all time until the release of Avatar, which overtook the Titanic with its gross in 2012.

This re-release of such a major film was inevitable and was done with the commemoration of the centenary of the sinking of the real Titanic. The result pushed the Titanic's gross above two billion dollars making it the second film ever to pass that dollar mark.

The new Blu-ray release is interesting on two fronts. First, for the quality reworked footage and second for the special features that include two brand-new documentaries, 29 deleted scenes, 60 behind-the-scenes featurettes and an alternate ending.

High-Def Digest says the Blu-ray version of the movie is spectacular, with "reference-quality high-def transfer and an interesting audio presentation that expands with the narrative..."

Blu-ray.com calls the Blu-ray release stunning in all ways..."with breathtaking video, totally immersive sound, and enough supplements to fill a day or two, Titanic shoots towards the top of the heap of 2012 Blu-ray releases..."

Order The Titanic from Amazon.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY BLU-RAY REVIEW AND TRAILER  

I was totally surprised at the amazing reviews that this Lord of the Rings Blu-ray boxed set received. It is on the wish list of the three LOTR fans in my house and, if someone you know loves these movies, you will have to have a set, too. This set is remastered and delivers top video and audio quality. The experts call it a must own and IGN says that it is essential.

Order your Lord of the Rings trilogy from Amazon.

Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Trilogy Extended Edition - The new Lord of the Rings Blu-ray trilogy almost snuck past me. However, I saw mention of it in the newspaper last week along with a very unusual five-star rating, which sent me looking for more information...

THE DARK KNIGHT BLU-RAY MOVIE REVIEW AND TRAILER  

The Dark Knight has long been one of my favorite Blu-ray movies. It was not a stand-out movie for me at the movie theatre but it was an amazing movie in my home theatre. It's a 'dark' movie and not really appropriate for children. The delivery of this movie to Blu-ray disc is superb. 

Here is the official movie trailer:

My family's Dark Knight Blu-ray movie review - On this page you will find our review of the Dark Knight as well as the reviews of many experts.

Blu-ray.com still features The Dark Knight at the top of their Blu-ray movie reviews. They say that The Dark Knight is unique and riveting and give it their highest recommendation.

High-Def Digest says that The Dark Knight was an instant classic, the best comic book movie of all-time.They praised the story, the acting even Gotham City. They called it a must see. The closed by saying, "Pick it up without hesitation."

Order the Dark Knight on Blu-ray.

STAR WARS THE COMPLETE SAGA BLU-RAY REVIEW 

This release of the Star Wars movies was not without discussion including but not limited to the facts that the original, untouched films were not included in the set and that there are some moments added that purists deem 'goofy.' Some consider the original movies to be very important. However, the films have never been seen or heard better than they are on these Blu-ray discs and it would be a real shame for you to miss out on this opportunity.

If you're not a diehard Star Wars fan, you'll probably be totally happy with this set. If you are, why not let go and enjoy! As Sound and Vision magazine said, "it's overwhelmingly wonderful." You can always rewatch it on VHS or DVD when you want to see the original movies.

Blu-ray.com highly praised this Blu-ray boxed set. They said that the movies have never looked or sounded better. Plus, they come with a LOT of special features and they highly recommended the boxed set.

High-Def Digest says that the video presentations aren't perfect but the audio is and worthy of being treated as demo-material for any sound system. They called the special features, "weeks worth" and also called it highly recommended.

Order the Star Wars Complete Saga from Amazon.

2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY BLU-RAY MOVIE REVIEW AND TRAILER

It is actually rather amazing that 2001 A Space Odyssey remains firmly planted on the list of best Blu-ray discs ever, since it was one of the early releases.

High-Def Digest says, "Admittedly, 2001: A Space Odyssey isn't for everyone -- but in my opinion it's the single most important science fiction film in the history of cinema." They also say that this movie influenced films that we see today and that it should be heaped with clout and recognition. The Blu-ray edition features amazingly gorgeous transfer, elaborate audio track and a great variety of supplemental features.

Home Theatre Forum called 2001 the granddaddy of science fiction films and they said that it is easy to see why when you watch this Blu-ray release. They call it Highly Recommended!

Here is the original movie trailer:

Sound and Vision Magazine says that this movie looks better on Blu-ray disc than it has looked since 1968. I cannot imagine a better recommendation than that.

Order 2001 Space Odyssey from Amazon.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE BLU-RAY FILM REVIEW 

The Twilight Zone, Season One, contains 36 episodes on six Blu-ray discs of this bizarre and supernatural television series. This season contains a few of the episodes deemed very important, including Time Enough at Last, The After-Hours and The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

The Amazon customer reviews of The Twilight Zone Season One are glowing with comments like Rushead's when he says that he would give the quality of this Blu-ray five stars and Bruce Spizer's when he said that this set is comprehensive, containing all episodes in the order they originally appeared and finally N. Stock's when he said, that this set has been "remastered from the original camera negatives and soundtracks" giving it the best quality ever available.

Monsters and Critics says that this set looks pristine, even better than when it originally aired. Monsters and Critics holds this set in such high esteem and actually said that it is extremely highly recommended. 

High-Def Digest says that the video is better than they thought possible, that the sound is fantastic and that the extras "just keep going and going." They call this set one of the best Blu-ray sets this year.

Blu-ray.com was also pleased with this set. This show was important and influential and it has been remastered beautifully and includes a plethora of special features. 

Order The Twilight Zone, Season 1, from Amazon.

THE GODFATHER: THE COPPOLA RESTORATION BLU-RAY MOVIE COLLECTION REVIEW AND TRAILER  

The Godfather is a star studded movie featuring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton. It's an iconic movie that follows the rise and fall of a mob family in America and actually paved the way for later mob movies like Scarface and the Sopranos.

The Godfather really doesn't need an introduction but perhaps this Blu-ray boxed set, The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration does. 

It contains three movies: The Godfather, The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III.

The Amazon Customer Reviews are truly impressive, with 759 of them being five stars and viewers saying things like, "Stunning," "Faithful" and an offer you should not refuse.

Blu-ray.com calls The Godfather "perhaps the most impressive set ever released." saying no other collection has ever gone to such lengths to carefully preserve three classic films as they originally appeared. They give it their highest recommendation saying, "Leave the gun, take the cannoli, and buy the Blu-ray."

Order the Godfather: The Coppola Restoration set from Amazon.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC BLU-RAY MOVIE REVIEW AND TRAILER 

Surely, this 1965 classic movie starring Christopher Plummer, Julie Andrews needs no introduction. The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music must certainly be one of the most memorable of all movie songs. But people fell in love not only with the music in this movie but also with the characters and the story, which was based on a true Austrian family in World War II...

Amazon customer reviews are understandably singing out loud about this classic movie and I encourage you to check them out. Dennis A. Amith called it a perfect release, Tate says that The Sound of Music Blu-ray disc is not a restoration it's a transformation and that fans simply MUST own it on Blu-ray and Richard T. Leafgreen says that this is the movie for people who think that only new movies can look good on Blu-ray.

Here is a look at the trailer for the Blu-ray release of the movie:

Blu-ray.com gave The Sound of Music their highest recommendation, saying that this is an extremely happy movie and that the Blu-ray features a "pristine transfer, lush audio and hours of bonus features."

BigPictureBigSound states up front that they consider The Sound of Music one of the best movies ever made. About the Blu-ray disc, they called it one of the best releases of the year and one of the best Blu-ray releases yet.

Order the Sound of Music from Amazon.

BAND OF BROTHERS BLU-RAY FILM REVIEW AND TRAILER 

Band of Brothers is a true story set in World War II that was made into a 10 part mini series. It tells the story of an airborne infantry called Easy Company and follows them from boot camp right until the end of the war. Easy Company shares the D-Day invasion of Normandy, the invasion of Holland, the Battle of the Bluge, the freeing of a concentration camp, the taking of Hitler's Eagle's Nest. It is a historical movie full of attention to details. 

There are a number of Amazon customer reviews of interest for Band of Brothers, including this one by Archmaker, who says, "A one-of-a-kind production, having the time to tell the tale with detail and care, and with all involved doing honor to the men who lived it. And finally, there are those men, bringing it all back to the reality of real lives lived. Exceptional stuff."

Blu-ray.com says that Band of Brothers is a masterpiece. With regard to the quality of the Blu-ray release, they say that the video is true to its source, that it possesses an incredible soundtrack and impressive supplements.

High-Def Digest says that Band of Brothers is an absolute must have, exciting excellent video and audio quality and a 'slew' of supplements.

Order the Band of Brothers set from Amazon.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST MOVIE SYNOPSIS

Disney's Beauty and the Beast became available in high definition on Blu-ray disc for the first time ever when it was released from The Vault on October 5, 2010. Most everyone knows the animated story of a young woman (Belle) and a prince (The Beast.) The Beast is actually a young man under a curse who must fall in love and have someone fall in love with him to escape. Here's a peek into the Blu-ray release: 

Beauty and the Beast was a beautiful movie even before high definition became available. It was given an amazing transfer and, as Amazon customer E.B. Yangali said, "watching it on Blu-ray was beyond my greatest expectations. It made a remarkable story even more beautiful, which I always thought impossible." I agree.

Disney's Beauty and The Beast Blu-ray Movie Review - If you are looking for more information about the Blu-ray release of Beauty and the Beast and your options, you will find it here, on my page about the movie.

Blu-ray.com was suitably impressed with Beauty and the Beast. They called it a must-have Blu-ray contender and one of Disney's best Blu-ray movies of 2010. It definitely earned their recommendation.

Hollywood Chicago recommended showing Beauty and the Beast to anyone who still doubts the difference in quality between Blu-ray and DVD. They declared it one of the only animated movies that shows better now than it did when it was issued...

Order your copy of Beauty and the Beast from Amazon.

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So there you have it. Ten of the best quality Blu-ray movies! We are really enjoying our Blu-ray player. How about you? Do you have a Blu-ray player? Are you enjoying it? Was this list of the best Blu-ray films helpful?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Please note this page was originally written in 2008 and previously appeared on another website.