Stanley Kubrick’s iconic horror film The Shining will unveil a original 4K Blu-ray edition on February 4. Walmart has started taking reservations for an exclusive Limited Edition Steelbook, priced at just $29.65. This package includes a 4K version, a standard 1080p Blu-ray, and a Movies Anywhere-compatible digital edition of the film. Plus, it features an amazing steelbook case that will undoubtedly attract devoted fans of The Shining (like myself, who have already reserved it).
Given the status of Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s horror classic, we anticipate this will sell out quickly. The Shining remains consistently one of the top-selling horror 4K Blu-rays on Amazon, and it originally launched on 4K back in 2019. Currently, the new steelbook version is only $7 more than the standard 4K release ($23), which does not include a digital copy.
This isn’t the first steelbook edition of The Shining, but previous releases are long out of print and command outrageous prices in the resale market. The last 4K Blu-ray steelbook edition was exclusive to Best Buy and retailed for $30 as well. With the increasing prices of steelbooks, it’s reassuring to know you might be paying the same amount in 2025 as you potentially did in 2019—although, technically speaking, Walmart’s is 24 cents cheaper than the $29.99 price Best Buy charged for its (different) steelbook edition.
The Shining Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Blu-ray)
$29.65 | Launches February 4, Walmart Exclusive
The striking blood-red steelbook features the legendary axe from that iconic scene. It’s rare for both the cover of a Blu-ray case and the internal artwork to tell the same story, but upon opening it, you’ll see the axe’s blade depicted on the deeply designed wall. On the right side of the interior is the understandably frightened Wendy Duvall, expertly portrayed by the late Shelley Duvall.
If you’re a fan of The Shining and haven’t seen it in 4K Blu-ray, you are truly missing out. The 4K remaster of The Shining is absolutely breathtaking. It could very well be the finest remaster of any film from its era that I’ve experienced. Every aspect of it is visually superior; from the color palette to the brilliance to the lighting, it’s an exceptionally well-executed remaster. It’s astonishing to think that a movie nearly 45 years old can look this sharp on 4K; regardless, it is a must-have for any admirer of Kubrick, King, or horror as a genre.
The 4K version includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR10. The audio is enhanced with DTS 5.1 surround sound. The original Blu-ray version of the film was produced from the same restoration, and while it still looks pretty good, unsurprisingly it is not as impressive as the 4K version. Additionally, you lose high dynamic range (HDR), which does make a notable difference.
Special Features
The special features for The Shining’s new steelbook release remain the same as the original 2019 4K release, which were largely unchanged from the previous standard Blu-ray edition. However, they are insightful and engaging featurettes along with mini documentaries. The entire special content can be found on the standard Blu-ray disc, although the main feature on the Steadicam will be on the 4K disc. A significant documentary showcases Stanley Kubrick’s daughter, Vivian, discussing the film’s production, along with a separate documentary that explores similar themes from a different viewpoint. Finally, there’s a featurette focused on Kubrick and Wendy Carlos, the composer behind The Shining’s remarkable score.
- Commentary by Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and historian John Baxter
- The Making of The Shining featuring Vivian Kubrick (35 minutes)
- Insights from the Overlook Hotel: Crafting The Shining (26 minutes)
- The Visions of Stanley Kubrick and Wendy Carlos (15 minutes)
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining Compendium
- Amazon – Sold Out / Click “See All Buying Options” and select Taschen’s US listing.
- Walmart – $139.44 | Sold Out
Target – $125 | Sold out
Fans of the movie should keep an eye on the forthcoming two-book compilation. Initially scheduled for release in November, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining art book, published by Taschen, is now expected to arrive on December 26. Sadly, preorders are currently out of stock at all major retailers, although Taschen is offering it on Amazon for its $125 listed price plus a $15 shipping fee. What exactly is this book, you might wonder? It is a massive, 1,400-page, two-volume hardcover collection that delves deep into the making and enduring impact of The Shining.
The compilation was edited by former Pixar director Lee Unkrich, known for his work on Toy Story 3 and Coco, and for co-direction on Toy Story 2, Finding Nemo, and Monsters, Inc. Volume one is authored by J.W. Rinzler, a film historian recognized for his thorough explorations into popular film franchises, including The Making of Star Wars, a trilogy of books examining the behind-the-scenes creation of the original trilogy. Rinzler’s work is based on hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews. Additionally, the book features a foreword by Steven Spielberg.
Volume two consists of a photographic album filled with production documents from Kubrick’s personal collection, conceptual art, set photographs, letters, and deleted scenes. Much of the content in this album is exclusive to this book.
Taschen has released numerous other works about Stanley Kubrick worth exploring:
- The Stanley Kubrick Archives (Hardcover) — $58 (
$100) | Coffee table book - The Stanley Kubrick Archives (Hardcover) — $21.64 ($
25) | Softcover edition - The Making of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (Hardcover) — $57 (
$80) - Through a Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photos (Hardcover) — $32 (
$40)
The Shining & Doctor Sleep Blu-rays
In 2013, Stephen King released a significant sequel to The Shining titled Doctor Sleep. This continuation features an adult Dan Torrance who must confront his past traumas and the source of their creation, the Overlook Hotel. Mike Flanagan adapted the novel into a feature film in 2019. Doctor Sleep is regarded as one of the finest adaptations of King’s work. If you’re eager to watch The Shining and Doctor Sleep now, here is a list of currently available 4K and standard Blu-ray editions. There is an old Blu-ray combo pack that is notably cheaper than purchasing the two films separately. You can get The Shining and Doctor Sleep for just $11.
You can also find the 1997 TV series on the list. Many fans prefer Kubrick’s film adaptation, but King, to be fair, does not share that sentiment. King penned the script for the 1997 ABC miniseries based on his novel. As a huge fan of Stephen King, I genuinely enjoyed the miniseries, though it is not held in the same high regard as the film. It is definitely worth watching, and the Blu-ray edition, released earlier this year, is available for just $22 on Amazon.
- The Shining (4K Blu-ray) — $23 (
$42) - Doctor Sleep: Director’s Cut (4K Blu-ray) — $22 (
$25) - The Shining + Doctor Sleep (Blu-ray) — $11 (
$23) - The Shining (Blu-ray) — $12 (
$20) - Stanley Kubrick 3-Film 4K Collection: The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket (4K Blu-ray) — $50 (
$85) - Stanley Kubrick Triple Feature: The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey (Blu-ray) — $17
- The Shining (1997 TV Series, Blu-ray) — $22 (
$35)
Stephen King – The Shining & Doctor Sleep Novels
If you haven’t encountered Stephen King’s iconic 1977 novel that inspired Kubrick’s movie, you can easily find a copy for a reasonable price on Amazon. You might even snag a really cool “vintage” hardcover edition for just $23. The Shining is considered one of the greatest horror novels of the past half-century, and although Kubrick’s film is excellent, it remains quite different from the book. Both works are masterpieces within the genre. Doctor Sleep, the follow-up novel, doesn’t reach the same heights (which is expected), but it’s a brilliant sequel worth reading, even if you’ve already seen Flanagan’s adaptation.
- The Shining (Hardcover) — $23 ($
45) - The Shining (Paperback) — $12.36 ($
20) - The Shining (Mass Market Paperback) — $7.50 (
$10) - Doctor Sleep (Hardcover) — $17 ($
30) - Doctor Sleep (Paperback) — $10.49 ($
20)
The Shining is also available in two current paperback box sets. Stephen King Three Classic Novels Box Set is a North American release featuring some of King’s earliest bestsellers. Carrie was King’s first novel. He followed it up with ‘Salem’s Lot, while The Shining was his fourth book. His third work, Rage, was published under the pen name Richard Bachman and is no longer in circulation. The five-book box set listed below also includes Cujo and Firestarter. Just remember that this collection contains UK editions published by Hodder & Stoughton.
- Stephen King Three Classic Novels Paperback Box Set (The Shining, Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot) — $41.34 (
$57) - Stephen King 5-book paperback set (Cujo, Salem’s Lot, The Shining, Doctor Sleep, Firestarter) — $53 (
$60)
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