For dedicated horror collectors and fans of the Crystal Lake killer, Jason Voorhees, the quest for the ultimate *Friday the 13th* full collection has become a race against time. As of late 2024, the undisputed champion of physical media—the massive 16-disc Deluxe Edition Blu-ray set from Scream Factory (Shout! Factory)—is officially being discontinued, making it an instant collector's item and forcing fans to scramble for the last remaining copies. This definitive collection, which brought together all 12 films and an unprecedented amount of bonus content, marks a high point for the franchise on home video.
The collection landscape is now shifting, moving from a single, comprehensive Blu-ray box set to a fragmented, yet higher-quality, 4K Ultra HD market. While a complete *Friday the 13th* 4K UHD collection does not yet exist, studios like Paramount Pictures and Arrow Video are slowly rolling out individual 4K releases, offering a new path for high-definition horror enthusiasts. Understanding the contents of the legendary Scream Factory set and the state of the emerging 4K releases is essential for any serious fan.
The Complete Friday the 13th Filmography: 12 Movies, One Legacy
The *Friday the 13th* franchise is one of the most prolific and enduring sagas in horror cinema history. The definitive collections, including the now-discontinued Scream Factory set, encompass all 12 feature films, tracing the journey of the iconic slasher from the original Camp Crystal Lake massacre to his intergalactic and crossover battles. This complete filmography is the backbone of any true Friday the 13th full collection.
The 12 Films Included in the Collection:
- Friday the 13th (1980): The original film that launched the franchise, featuring Pamela Voorhees.
- Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981): The first appearance of Jason Voorhees as the primary killer.
- Friday the 13th Part III (1982): The movie where Jason famously acquires his iconic hockey mask.
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984): Often considered the best of the series, featuring a young Corey Feldman.
- Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985): A controversial entry with a copycat killer.
- Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986): The film that cemented Jason as a supernatural, undead force.
- Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988): Jason battles a telekinetic teenager.
- Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989): A fan-favorite for its ridiculous premise.
- Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993): A divisive entry that introduces a "demon worm" plot.
- Jason X (2001): The infamous entry that sends Jason into outer space as "Uber Jason."
- Freddy vs. Jason (2003): The crossover event with the *A Nightmare on Elm Street* franchise.
- Friday the 13th (2009): The successful remake/reboot of the original films.
The inclusion of the 2009 remake and the New Line Cinema titles (*Jason Goes to Hell*, *Jason X*, and *Freddy vs. Jason*) is what truly sets the Scream Factory box set apart, as these films often have complex licensing issues that prevent other collections from being truly complete.
The Scream Factory Blu-ray: The Definitive (But Disappearing) Edition
The Friday the 13th Collection (Deluxe Edition), released by Scream Factory in 2020, quickly became the gold standard for collecting the franchise. This 16-disc set was a monumental effort, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original film and providing an unparalleled wealth of content.
The reason this set is so highly sought after—and why its discontinuation is such a blow to collectors—lies in its meticulous restoration and exhaustive bonus materials. The set features new 4K scans of the original camera negatives for several of the early films, providing the best possible presentation of the classic sequels.
Key Features That Make the Scream Factory Set Essential:
- Uncut Gore Footage: Most notably, the collection includes the infamous, previously unreleased, and fully uncut gore footage from *Friday the 13th Part 2* and other films, which had been censored for their original theatrical releases. This "uncut" material is a major draw for fans.
- Multiple Cuts: Many films include both the theatrical and unrated/extended cuts, giving viewers the choice of how they want to experience the horror.
- Exhaustive Bonus Features: The set is packed with hours of archival content, including new and vintage audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews with cast and crew (like Amy Steel), and featurettes on the legacy of the franchise.
- Exclusive Packaging: The initial limited editions came with collectible items like a rigid slipcase, a book, and exclusive poster art, further cementing its value as a collector's piece.
The news that this comprehensive Jason Voorhees box set is going out of print has driven up the price on the secondary market. If you are looking for the most complete, bonus-feature-rich, and historically significant physical media collection, the Scream Factory Deluxe Edition is the one to target before it becomes prohibitively expensive.
The New Frontier: Collecting Friday the 13th in 4K UHD
While the Scream Factory Blu-ray set offers the most complete package, the world of physical media is constantly evolving. The new gold standard for picture quality is 4K Ultra HD, and the *Friday the 13th* franchise is slowly making the jump. Unfortunately, there is no single, complete Friday the 13th 4K UHD collection available as of today, meaning collectors must piece together the ultimate high-definition version themselves.
The 4K releases are currently being handled by multiple studios due to the complex distribution rights of the films, which is a common issue for long-running franchises. This fragmented approach requires dedicated hunting for the best versions.
Current 4K UHD Releases (A Collector’s Guide)
The following films have received individual 4K UHD releases, often featuring stunning new transfers that surpass the quality of the Blu-ray set:
- Friday the 13th (1980): Released on 4K UHD by Paramount Pictures, often available in a Steelbook edition. This release offers a significant visual upgrade over the Blu-ray.
- Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981): Also released on 4K UHD by Paramount Pictures, continuing the high-definition restorations of the core films.
- Friday the 13th Part III (1982): Released on 4K UHD, notable for its original 3D elements, though the 4K disc itself is a 2D presentation.
- Jason X (2001): Released on 4K UHD by Arrow Video. This boutique label is known for its high-quality restorations and extensive packaging, making this a must-have for fans of the sci-fi horror entry.
- Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993): Arrow Video has also released this divisive film on 4K UHD, complete with both the theatrical and unrated cuts.
The remaining films, particularly those from *Part IV* through *Part VIII* and the *Freddy vs. Jason* crossover, have yet to receive official 4K UHD releases. The ongoing legal battles surrounding the franchise have often complicated new media releases, but the slow rollout suggests a full 4K collection may eventually materialize, though perhaps not as a single box set.
Choosing Your Ultimate Collection: Blu-ray vs. 4K
The choice between the discontinued Scream Factory Blu-ray set and the emerging 4K UHD releases depends entirely on your collecting priorities:
For the Completionist and Bonus Content Lover:
The Scream Factory 16-disc Deluxe Edition is the only answer. It provides all 12 films in a single, beautiful package with an unparalleled amount of bonus content, including the essential uncut versions. It is the ultimate historical archive of the franchise. If you want the complete Friday the 13th movie list in one box, buy this set now before prices skyrocket further.
For the Audiophile and Videophile:
The individual 4K UHD releases are the way to go. The new 4K scans and HDR (High Dynamic Range) grading offer a superior picture quality that brings out details and colors never before seen in the films. However, be prepared to wait for the remaining films to be released and to purchase from multiple distributors, making this a more expensive and fragmented path to the ultimate collection.
In the end, the Friday the 13th full collection is currently a two-part endeavor: securing the comprehensive Scream Factory Blu-ray set for the content and history, and supplementing it with the individual 4K UHD discs for the absolute best picture quality of the films that have been released so far. The legacy of Jason Voorhees continues to slash its way through the physical media landscape, providing horror fans with a terrifyingly rewarding collecting challenge.
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