Label of the Month: 6 Essential 88 Films Releases

Since launching in 2012, the UK-based 88 Films has built quite the reputation for restoring a variety of cinema from across the globe. 88 Films focus on “forgotten cult horror films” but their library boasts everything from Italian giallo and exploitation cinema to Hong Kong action and cult Hollywood classics.

Let’s dive into 6 of their coolest releases that every serious film collector should have on their shelves- so we can bore our uninterested guests with an endless monologue after they point to our physical media display and say “that’s interesting.”

Hackers (1995)

A neon-soaked time capsule of ‘90s cyber culture that launched the careers of Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie and Matthew Lillard. Hackers follows a group of teenage computer prodigies who uncover a corporate conspiracy while navigating underground hacker circles. Initially not a hit with critics, the film’s hyper-stylised visuals, electronic soundtrack and early performances of future household names would ensure it became a cult classic.

88 Films’ 30th Anniversary edition delivers a brand-new 4K restoration with bonus features that include a new documentary featuring interviews with the cast and crew, plus an audio commentary with film critic Mark Kermode.

Dragons Forever (1988)

A fan-favourite in the golden era of Hong Kong action cinema, Dragons Forever by directors Sammo Hung who also stars alongside Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, brings together the legendary trio (who were known as the “Three Dragons”) for one last big-screen adventure. The film follows a lawyer hired by a chemical company to evict a fishery owner, only to discover a criminal conspiracy that pulls him into a whirlwind of martial arts mayhem

88 Films’ release gives the cult classic the premium treatment with a crisp new restoration plus interviews and archival materials.

Crime Story (1993)

Another from Jackie Chan’s lengthy filmography (if 88 Films actually had only 88 films, they would probably all star Jackie Chan), here alongside Kent Cheng, Kirk Wong’s Crime Story is a grittier turn for Jackie Chan. Crime Story trades his usual slapstick heroics for a tense crime thriller. Chan plays an exhausted Hong Kong detective investigating a high-profile kidnapping, delivering one of the most dramatic and widely praised performances of his career.

88 Films’ 4K restoration includes a wealth of bonus material exploring its production and Chan’s evolution as an action star. Also comes in Deluxe Limited Edition Duel Format with artwork postcards and poster.

Double Impact (1991)

Remember those action movies from the 90s that were just pure popcorn thrills? Sheldon Lettich’s Double Impact sees Jean-Claude Van Damme pull double impact as twin brothers separated after their parents’ murder, who reunite years later in Hong Kong to seek revenge. Not sure you need us to tell you that the result is as action-packed as classic Van Damme gets.

88 Films give us both Blu-ray and 4K upgrades of the cult favourite with visuals sharper than an action star’s dagger and a selection of extras including bonus footage, deleted scenes and making-of documentaries.

The Protector (1985)

James Glickenhaus’ The Protector marked an early attempt for Jackie Chan (oh look, it’s Jackie Chan again) to break into the American action market. The film pairs Chan with Danny Aiello (The Godfather Part II) in a gritty crime thriller set between New York and Hong Kong.

88 Films’ 4K release is particularly appealing to collectors because it includes multiple cuts of the film; namely the 92-minute Hong Kong version, 97-minute Japanese extended version, 104-minute extended version and 95-minute US/International version! That means you can pedantically dissect each one and decide in your film geek circles which one is superior!

Add in interviews, commentary tracks, and new artwork, and it’s a fascinating look at a key moment in Chan’s international career.

The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971)

If you guessed that The Blood on Satan’s Claw is probably a horror movie then you’re right! You clever film lover, you. A cornerstone of British folk horror, Piers Haggard’s eerie rural nightmare starring Linda Hayden and Patrick Wymark concerns a demonic presence corrupting a small 18th-century village. It might sound like a rather familiar premise in today’s horror landscape, but the early 70s was where the folk horror subgenre was really being defined alongside classics like The Wicker Man.

The 4K and Blu-ray restorations bring new life to its haunting countryside visuals. As is usual for 88 Films, these editions are packed with interviews and archival material that explore the film’s legacy and its lasting influence on British horror cinema.

Whether you’re a fan of Italian giallo, Hong Kong action, or cult Hollywood classics, 88 Films has become one of the most exciting collector labels in physical media, and these six titles are just a small sample of their ever-growing catalogue!

What is your favourite 88 Films release? Let us know!