This 2025 Holiday Season, The Top Asian Picks from Shout! Studios Are…

After Thanksgiving Day in North America, nearly everyone will be pondering the next celebration. In this gift giving guide, we look at our top asian picks from Shout! Studios about what to put under that tree than inside that turkey.

Shout Studios New Logo - Top Asian Releases for 2025For collectors, cinephiles, and nostalgic gift-givers, Shout! Studios continues to deliver premium releases that turn movie nights into an art form. In what makes this year special for this top Asian picks is the Chinese Ghost Story collection on this list. Not only is it a huge upgrade from prior releases, but it made number one in my gift giving guide.

From restored Hong Kong action to cult fantasy and animation favourites, 2025’s lineup looks very promising. There are new 4K transfers, lavish packaging, and limited editions that deserve a spot under any Asian film enthusiast’s christmas tree—or on any shelf. Links go to Amazon USA. We are a member of Amazon Associates, and any sales made through this link help support this site.

A Better Tomorrow Trilogy

A Better Tomorrow 4K and Blu-ray box setThis quintessential series that launched the “heroic bloodshed” genre in Hong Kong cinema is getting a massive 4K treatment, and there’s seven discs in total to make this film saga soar. It’s a John Woo and Tsui Hark produced film, and if that’s not enough to set the stage about two brothers trying to stay together—despite living in opposite worlds. One is a cop, and the other a Triad thug trying to go straight. This saga also made Chow Yun-Fat an international superstar. Different cuts are offered.

A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy

A Chinese Ghost Story Trilogy Blu-ray box setThis newly remastered Hong Kong Cinema Classics collection revives one of the most beloved supernatural sagas ever filmed. Each entry has been 4K-scanned from the original negatives with new subtitles and restored colour. The box-set format turns this romantic fantasy trilogy into an essential collector’s centrepiece.

Hard Boiled – Deluxe Edition

Hard Boiled Deluxe Edition UHDJohn Woo’s ballistic masterpiece explodes back onto shelves in a deluxe multi-disc edition. Featuring a brand-new 4K restoration and bonus features on the art of Hong Kong action, it’s a perfect showcase gift for anyone who still believes in practical stunts and cinematic bravado.

The Jet Li Collection

The Jet Li Collection 4K and Blu-ray box setAmong the icons of Hong Kong action cinema, few stars shine as brightly as Jet Li. Renowned for his graceful and fluid fighting style, Li’s illustrious filmography has established him as an international superstar.

Experience spectacular Hong Kong action classics featuring this talented actor, martial artist, and producer, along with early films directed by Gordon Chan, Woo-Ping Yuen, and Corey Yuen. This release includes five of Jet Li’s seminal Hong Kong classics (Fist of Legend, Tai Chi Master, Fong Sai Yuk, Fong Sai Yuk II, and The Bodyguard from Beijing) in a 10-Disc 4K UHD™ + Blu-ray™ box set. New interviews, commentaries, and vintage featurettes round out the package.

The World of Studio Ghibli

The World of Studio Ghibli collectionThis colossal animation library brings together Miyazaki and Takahata’s timeless works. The bundle’s unified design and sharp HD masters make it an ideal gift for families, collectors, or anyone seeking the warmth of hand-drawn magic through winter nights.

In short: Shout! Studios has turned 2025 into a year of restorations, reunions, and refined nostalgia. Whether it’s a Hong Kong gun ballet, an Italian horror gem, or a dose of Ghibli serenity, these editions prove that physical media still has soul—and style.

The Deets on The Shaw Brothers Classics, Volume 6 and Why This Release Is A Must-See

The love for Shaw Brothers continues as I offer thoughts in the next Shaw Brothers Classics release!

Shaw Brothers Classics Vol 6
Pre-order now on Amazon USA

What’s next for Shout! Studio‘s continued release of films from China is Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol. 6. Fans can now pre-order this upcoming March release, and according to the marketing, this package will focus on the really hard to find films to watch. Since then, a quick check online shows that some of them are available on Amazon Prime (select countries) as individual works or on YouTube.

This week, the distributor also revealed all the new featurettes included in this set. The titles I’m excited to see are Finger of Doom, Na Cha And The Seven Devils, and The Young Avenger. The primary reason is that I haven’t watched these particular films yet. IUn a few entries will be some added notes (or an included trailer)

SWORDSWOMEN THREE
(1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1) / Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Dual Mono / 100 min.)

SWORDSWOMEN THREE Movie PosterAlthough this title may seem misleading, that is because it’s not really about these three ladies. Instead, it’s concerned about Lo Lieh, who will stop at nothing to claim victory at a tournament between clans. And by the time these ladies are dealing out the hurt, the question of who is the best is hardly the plot.

Although these sisters–played by Essie Lin Chia, Shen Yi and Violet Pan Ying-Zi–do their best, the question is when will they challenge the patriarchy?

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All Shaw Brothers All The Time! Volume 5 Quick Thoughts

Fans of the works from Shaw Brothers Studios will be happy to learn volume 5 is out now, and there’s a sixth too!

Shaw Brothers Classics Volume FiveShout! Studios

Just when fans thought they couldn’t get enough of the movies from The Shaw Brothers, one of two new collections is here! Volume Six is slated for, and I’ll have a separate article outlining what’s coming in that set. I really appreciate the fact Shout! Studios is keeping the love for wuxia alive.

Volume 5 is now available for purchase on their website (or on Amazon). While I have yet to process this volume myself (I’m still working through the last two volumes before committing to this year’s offerings), this release continues to offer titles from the 60s and 70s.

There’s a bit of a sword theme going on in this release and when I can pick up this set, I’m looking forward to seeing Mission Impossible over all others! You’ll have to visit this entry to see the reason why. Another work is Rape of the Sword, that’s based on the novel of the same name. This book supposedly inspired Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Also, when this studio rarely does sequels, A Taste of Cold Steel is one of those rare titles I have to check out. And when this collection includes all new content to go with each title, it’s a must have for any committed nostalgia enthusiast. Also included are some personal thoughts on a few films.

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Unboxing All Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume Two

There’s lots to love in All Haunts Be Ours Volume Two. Not only are more films from other countries are explored, but also there’s plenty of world wide and first time on blu-ray premieres, but also the bonus features look made just for this release too!

Kier-La JanisseKier-La Janisse really loves her independent cinema and folk horror. After watching her award winning Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched Documentary (review link), which is available in All Haunts Be Ours box set, I am hooked! And since she knows that collection isn’t the end all be all, what she’s gathered together for All Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume 2 (Amazon link), looks simply amazing! The fact she’s delving into what other regions offer says it all, and I look forward to diving into the South Asian region which is where my heritage comes from!
All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium Of Folk Horror Vol. 2
Available to purchase on Amazon USA
When considering she is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Communication and Creative Arts at Deakin University and authored many scholarly books in the subject of genre cinema, she is well respected in the cinema and horror community! I need a week or two to watch as much as I can to give a detailed report, but in the meantime, here’s an onboxing video showcasing my initial reactions.

Unboxing All Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume Two

Unboxing The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection and Why He’s Still The King!

All we as fans can do is look back at the good, bad, and ugly about the phenomenon as Bruceploitation. Thankfully it was short-lived.

The Game of Clones Bruceploitation Collection Vol 1
Available to pre-order on Amazon USA

Severin Films
Release Date: June 25,. 2024

Bruce Lee is simply a legend! Although I wasn’t even born when the movies he made played at cinemas, I did find his works broadcasted on television. Also, because Bruceploitation was everywhere, I wondered how could a studio even advertise a work when I knew he was dead! Thankfully the release of The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection Vol 1 helped answer all my questions, even though I had to wait more than thirty years to arrive. As a kid, I was scratching my head!

When I found films at a mom-and-pop video rental store in Chinatown that claimed to be new, I laughed. I at least knew the likeness was not perfect. But for the operation bootlegging everything they could get their hands on, they didn’t care. It was business as the love for Lee was still big; and even my local television stations were showing dubbed versions which I ate up like being at the movies on a Saturday night.

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It’s a Retro Kickass Wuxia A Go-Go with Shaw Brothers Classics Volumes 2 & 3 in Review.

Yes, another Shaw Brothers Classics set is coming, and in volume four, it’s sure to mirror what the prior release offers, and we look back at those!

Shaw Brothers Classics Vol 4 Box
Volume 4 available to preorder on Amazon USA

The Shaw Brothers Studios are well known for being able to pump out kung fu movies faster than I can say Hi-Yah! And early this year, Shout! Studios has been releasing the best of them to celebrate this company’s legacy! Although their founding and 100th anniversary is two years away, I’m glad fans worldwide are getting something to whet appetites sooner than later. There are three volumes of the Shaw Brothers Classics one can now buy, and with a fourth along the way, I definitely want to own them all!

I’m liking this release over Shawscope, an unwieldy set which I think is tough to store because it’s a book! What the cube offers can easily be filed side by side with regular blu-rays on the shelf. The main reason I’m excited for this set is because of the new material that’s included–audio commentaries and short documentaries–do a great job to explain why that selected film or performer matters! Also, for a few titles, an English and Cantonese dub is also offered.

As for the packaging, not only do we get reproductions of the original posters in the case, but also, I’m not as concerned whether the films are using past remasters or this American side distributor has done further work.

Continue reading “It’s a Retro Kickass Wuxia A Go-Go with Shaw Brothers Classics Volumes 2 & 3 in Review.”