Titans Blu-ray Spearheads More Combo Deals

This month’s “combo pack” release of the Ancient Greek gods dust-up, Clash of the Titans, represents the future of Blu-ray from Warner Home Video.

Nearly a year after the initiative to boost sales was launched in the US, it’s being rolled out in NZ and Australia, with Titans being the first title.

As well as a Blu-ray of the movie, the combo pack includes a DVD and a digital copy that’s Mac-compatible.

Also confirmed for combo pack release this year are The Losers, Nightmare on Elm Street and Inception.

In the US, Warner is releasing its “entire theatrical new release slate” as combo packs.

But not every movie that gets combo packaging in the US is receiving it here — for instance, WHV’s Cop Out is a standard Blu-ray release.

Even so, the handful of combo packs planned for the fourth quarter represents value for money, given they cost the same as a new-release single-disc Blu-ray ($44.95), and the ultimate in consumer convenience.

WHV also is about to advise NZ dealers of a new double-bill strategy that will see new and iconic movies released as double- and sometimes triple-features on the same Blu-ray disc.

The movies will be grouped around themes, from genres, such as horror, to stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, and directors like Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone.

In the US, Warner has offered similar product for the past six months. Double-bills have included Dirty Harry and Magnum Force, Analyze This and Analyze That, Presumed Innocent and Frantic, Miss Congeniality and Miss Congeniality 2, Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men, and Where Eagles Dare and Kelly’s Heroes.