2011 DVD Gift Guide

Stumped for ideas of what to give the movie (and TV) lover in your life? This year was a banner one for great box sets and collections, so scroll through for a host of great DVD and Blu-ray gift ideas.

Citizen Kane: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Ed. (BD)

It tops AFI's list of the best movies of the past 100 years, it's the topic of university film classes, it's held up as the perfect example of when great acting, technical production and screenwriting coalesce. Now it's out in high-def, newly restored in 4K resolution with DTS-HD Master Audio mono track. Extras: Two commentaries, with Roger Ebert and Peter Bogdanovich; newsreel premiere footage, archival interviews, more; plus a hardback book, souvenir program, collectible postcards. Also on DVD. $40.99

Harry Potter: The Complete 8 Film Coll. (BD)

Hurry Potter fans: You've only got until Dec. 29 to get this set before it's pulled from shelves--until WB comes up with a new way to package it and resell it to you (rumor has it late 2012, in time for next Christmas). The extras are limited, but if your favorite Muggle only cares about the movies and can't wait a year, this set is the way to go. Also on DVD. $79.99

Star Wars: The complete Saga (BD)

OK, so you can expect some new variation (3D?!) on this set in the future, but for now, it's the best presentation of the six films we've seen so far, and the sound is truly amazing. Wonderful to see the old films cleaned up bright, shiny and like new. Hardcore fans may be disappointed the original versions are not here, but if you enjoy the movies as they are then this set is for you. $99

Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy (BD)

All three movies are worth owning in high def, and this edition adds a collectible T-rex figurine. All new bonus features include interviews with the cast from all three films and Steven Spielberg and a host of documentary featurettes detailing the production that give a captivating look at the painstaking dino creation. It's an exhaustive set for fans of this landmark trilogy. $80.49

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy - Extended BD

When it comes to BD presentation, it doesn't get much better than this pristine set with two discs per movie and 9 discs of extras, accompanied by DTS-HD 6.1 sound. All in all, the extended versions add two hours of deleted film--making this a whopping 11 hours of Tolkien/Jackson goodness. $64.99

The Lion King Trilogy

When the Lion King 3D roared onto screens earlier this year, audiences turned out in droves. Makes sense then that Disney releases this 8-disc trilogy collection in Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy, packaged inside a faux African drum. Extras include never before seen deleted scenes and bloopers, a deleted song, several featurettes, sing-along mode and more. $63.99

Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Coll.

The legendary comic team returns in this comprehensive 10-disc box, which includes most of the Hal Roach shorts and features like The Music Box and Way Out West, remastered from the original 35mm films plus two hours of bonus features. $73.65

Pirates of the Caribbean Four-Movie Collection

This massive 15-disc collection has all four movies in BD format with digital copies (plus DVD version of On Stranger Tides) and a bonus disc with a never-before-seen short film Wedlocked," all packaged in a replica pirate's chest that also holds a collectible map and skull disc case. $99

Peanuts Holiday Collection (BD)

Warner Home Video presents this remastered collection of the three Peanuts classics: "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The box set also has bonus episodes, like a sequel to the Christmas movie, a six-song sampler CD and snowglobe window cling. $24.49

Underworld Trilogy: The Essential Coll.

Fans of this series can dive even deeper into the vampire/Lycan feud with this 4-disc set that includes the three movies plus a never-before-seen anime series, "Underworld: Endless War." As an added bonus, the set also includes two tickets to see Kate Beckinsale return in the fourth film, in theaters Jan. 20, 2012. $45.99, available Dec. 20.

Farscape: The Complete Series (BD)

OK, we normally limit these lists to movies, but this Australian sci-fi cult classic TV series is so awesome it deserves an entry on any must-give holiday list. About an astronaut who gets lost in space and finds himself aboard a ship of outlaw aliens, the show also had puppetry created by Jim Henson. A brand-new documentary with interviews and collectible artwork are included along with previously released extras. $95.99

West Side Story 50th Anniversary Ed.

This 10-time Academy Award winner starring Natalie Wood looks and feels pretty indeed, remastered in 1080p with 7.1 DTS-HD sound, and offers a host of new extras about the film's legacy. Included in the packaging is a hardcover book with photos and collectible postcards. $44.99

It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series (DVD)

Speaking of Natalie Wood, her husband Robert Wagner was the coolest of the cool as a chic cat burglar in this swinging '60s TV show. The 18-disc set contains all 66 episodes, Wagner interview, 4-coaster set and collectible book. $98.99

See our Holiday Gift Guide for more.