From ALIEN to ALIEN ROMULUS on VHS
Magnetic Video Corporation’s 1980 release of ALIEN on VHS helped spawn a successful franchise that continues to produce sequels, prequels, and spin-offs to this day. ALIEN has captured the imagination of viewers, sci-fi enthusiasts, authors, artists, and filmmakers to not only become a cult classic but also enter the American pop culture zeitgeist. What brings the ALIEN saga full circle is the 2024 release of ALIEN: ROMULUS on VHS. Physical media collectors have long mourned the perceived death of VHS in 2006, with the discontinuation of the format en masse. However, it just so happens that VHS appears to have been in extended cryosleep; much like many characters in the ALIEN franchise.
Many do not know that there have been niche runs of officially licensed VHS post 2006 from Witter Entertainment, Umbrella Home Entertainment, Vice Press Home Video, Lunchmeat, Retro Release Video, Massacre Video, and even Wizard Video; albeit Wizard resulting in controversy.
One cannot forget the 2016 San Diego Comic Con limited-edition VHS release of DEADPOOL either. Last year, Walmart even released a TERRIFIER 2 exclusive VHS available for in-store purchase. This vendor exclusive TERRIFIER 2 was the first widespread VHS on store shelves in 18 years. This almost two-decade long VHS crescendo resulted in the 2024 limited edition of ALIEN: ROMULUS, available in all its 4:3 pan and scan glory!
20th Century Studios’ release of ALIEN: ROMULUS marks the first major studio VHS since ‘A History of Violence’ in early 2006. While 80’s and 90’s nostalgia continues to grow, the future looks bright for VHS even in the digital streaming era. The power of nostalgia continues to pull at heartstrings resulting in the production of long delayed sequels and soft reboots of many pop culture films. There are recent reports circulating of “The Goonies 2” and “Gremlins 3” in the works. I would bet that major studio films will continue to have limited edition VHS releases on home video. It seems that VHS, much like the xenomorph species in ALIEN, will not only survive but continue to thrive… well into the future.
Beckett VHS authenticates, evaluates, and preserves collectible and autographed VHS for future generations. Check out our services at: VHS Grading, Home Video Grading, Encapsulation – Beckett
Written by Luke Bastyr – Head of Beckett VHS
Luke is a lifelong collector of VHS and physical media. At Beckett, Luke has served as Senior VHS Grader, Head VHS Grader, and now VHS Market Manager. Luke considers himself an analog archaeologist and leads a team that is passionate about rediscovering VHS release information that has been lost to time.
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