The Evil Dead Gets Groovy New 4K Steelbook For 45th Anniversary

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Sam Raimi nowadays is best known for directing superhero classics like the original Spider-Man trilogy, but the filmmaker has always been a horror-darling first. His career started in the early 80s when he released The Evil Dead. The wildly creative and hellish night in an abandoned cabin in the woods with a couple of ill-fated young adults was his directorial debut. It influenced the next generation of filmmakers we saw come out of that incredible decade for horror as well as inadvertently started one of the most inventive batch of films the genre has ever seen. 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of Evil Dead’s first screening. Now, to celebrate, Sony Home Entertainment is releasing a frightening new 4K steelbook.

This 4K/Blu-ray combo pack comes in a steelbook case with a striking black and red version of the original Evil Dead movie poster. The poster’s image of a hand dragging someone into hell has become a classic in horror art. The back of the case features a promotional photo of Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, a familiar sight on previous Evil Dead releases. Inside, you’ll find the original poster again, but this time in its vintage blue colors.

This special edition includes insightful commentary from director Sam Raimi, actor Bruce Campbell, and producer Rob Tapert. You’ll also find TV spots, a makeup test, and several behind-the-scenes featurettes. Two standout extras are “Picture-in-Picture: Join Us! The Undying Legacy of The Evil Dead” and “One by One We Will Take You: The Untold Saga of The Evil Dead.” This 4K steelbook is scheduled for release on July 7, 2026.

The Legacy of The Evil Dead

The original Evil Dead premiered in 1981, but wasn’t widely released in theaters until 1983. It was a gritty, low-budget horror film focused on demonic possession. While definitely campy, the first movie had a genuinely disturbing and intense quality that kept viewers on edge. Later installments, like Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992), leaned more into horror comedy. However, the initial film remains distinctive, even when compared to the grimmer Evil Dead (2013) and Evil Dead Rise (2023), or the more humorous Ash vs. Evil Dead television series (2015-2018).

Where to Watch The Evil Dead

As a huge horror fan, I’m thrilled to share some Evil Dead news! You can currently find the original film to rent or buy on all the usual digital platforms, like Fandango at Home. But for those of us who love owning physical copies, a gorgeous 4K steelbook is coming soon to celebrate the film’s 45th anniversary – keep an eye out for pre-orders! And the scares don’t stop there. A brand new film, Evil Dead Burn, directed by Sébastien Vaniček, is hitting theaters on July 10, 2026. Plus, they’ve already started working on another installment, Evil Dead Wrath, which we can expect in 2028. It’s a great time to be an Evil Dead devotee!

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2026-05-10 22:39