What are two of the most iconic literary horror masterpieces ever written? If you guessed Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, then I have some excellent news for you! (Alright, you Lovecraft people, simmer down… you’re going to like this too, I promise you!)
And, just to make things interesting, fans of H.G. Wells need to listen up, as well.
View slideshow: Classic Monster Movies and Books
Universal Studios announced on June 28, 2012 that they will be releasing a digitally re-mastered Blu-ray collection of classic monster movies titled Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection just in time for Halloween 2012.
In their official press release on the PR Newswires, Universal states, “For the first time ever, eight of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces of the horror genre are available together on Blu-rayTM as Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection debuts on October 2, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Digitally restored from high resolution film elements in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound for the first time ever, Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection brings together the very best of Universal's legendary monsters—imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror that launched a uniquely American movie genre. This definitive collection features eight films on Blu-rayTM, a collectible 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, correspondence and much more. Each iconic film is accompanied by an array of bonus features that tell the fascinating story of its creation and history, including behind-the-scenes documentaries, filmmaker commentaries, interviews, storyboards, photo galleries, and trailers. Especially appealing for fans are a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of Creature from the Black Lagoon in its restored Blu-rayTM 3D version.”

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The eight movies to be included on the special collection release include Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon.
The Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection is available for pre-order on Amazon for $111.99. While you’re on the site, why not purchase copies of Stoker’s famous vampire novel, Shelley’s gothic promethean tale, and Wells’ noir thriller? You won’t be sorry that you did your homework prior to re-visiting these memorable black and white film gems.



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