Phantasm is on a Major Streaming Service with a Weird Hitch

This may not be breaking news, but I just yesterday signed up for the Peacock streaming service from NBC Universal and noticed "The Phantasm Collection" listed on the main screen. How cool is that?? The selection of "movie collections" I scrolled through included The Godfather, Harry Potter, Leprechaun, and Phantasm, which is one mighty eclectic grouping of franchises.

The strange part about this was that "The Phantasm Collection" contained the entire franchise minus Phantasm II. Why is that strange? Because Phantasm II is technically the only film in the franchise actually owned by NBC Universal, meaning they had to license the other four. Even stranger is that the "collection" icon features an image of the Tall Man and Perigord Mausoleum from the missing Phantasm II. Even so, it's great to see the series with this exposure. (And kudos to whomever listed them as "Phantasm Philms" on the franchise page. Nice touch!)

Phantasm Double-Feature Blu-ray Arriving in October

The always terrific Diabolik DVD has revealed a pre-order listing for an upcoming Phantasm double-feature Blu-ray arriving this October from Well Go USA. This release, boasting gorgeous artwork by the mega-talented Devon Whitehead, packs two supplement-loaded discs from the most recent Sphere Collection boxset. This set is top-notch for including Phantasm Remastered and the newly remastered Phantasm II Director's Cut, which had previously only been available in the larger Sphere Collection. Street date is 10/5.

Disc 1: PHANTASM: REMASTERED

At a funeral, Mike (Michael Baldwin), watches as a tall mortician clad in black (Angus Scrimm) tosses the unburied coffin into a waiting hearse as if it were nothing. Seeking the truth behind this unusual sight, Mike breaks into the mortuary, where he comes face-to-face with the sinister Tall Man. After barely managing to escape with his life, Mike enlists the help of his brother, Jody (Bill Thornbury), and their friend Reggie (Reggie Bannister). Together they set out to uncover the secrets of the Tall Man and those who dwell in his hellish world. PHANTASM: REMASTERED has a runtime of approximately 98 minutes and is rated R for nudity, violence and intense scenes.

PHANTASM Special Features Include: 

• NEW 7.1 Dolby Atmos soundtrack by Post Haste Digital 

• NEW Dunes Cantina Party commentary featuring Don Coscarelli and the cast and crew of PHANTASM 

• NEW Phantasm: A Horse Drawn Hearse – new HD master of Angus Scrimm in black and white flashback footage

• Audio Commentary with director Don Coscarelli, co-producer Paul Pepperman and Roberto A. Quezada 

• Audio Commentary with Don Coscarelli, stars A. Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury and Angus Scrimm 

• Graveyard Carz episode featuring custom Phantasm tribute ‘Cuda • Behind the Scenes Home Movies with commentary by Coscarelli and Reggie Bannister 

• Deleted Scenes And more…

Disc 2: PHANTASM II

Released after seven years in a mental hospital, Mike convinces his old pal Reggie to join forces with him to hunt down and destroy the Tall Man once and for all. Mike’s visions lead the two to a quiet little town where a horde of flying killer balls aim to slice and dice their gruesome way through everyone. Exploding with special effects, unparalleled thrills, horror and suspense, PHANTASM II climaxes with a blood-curdling conclusion that you have to see to believe. 

PHANTASM II Special Features: 

• NEW 4K scan of the original camera negative, supervised and approved by Don Coscarelli 

• NEW Director’s Cut with never-before-released X-rated sphere/gore sequence 

• Audio Commentary with director Don Coscarelli and stars Angus Scrimm and Reggie Bannister 

• THE BALL IS BACK and THE GORY DAYS featurettes 

• Deleted Scenes 

• Additional scenes from the original work print cut 

• Behind the Scenes footage And more…