In 1983, entrepreneurial producer and director Charles Band founded Empire International Pictures, which would go on to make some of the most memorable and beloved genre movies of the 1980s. If you haunted the video store like I did, you know that there were always Empire boxes on the shelves, packed with catchy titles, outlandish art and always the best time.

Today, Arrow Video has released a box set that has five of Empire’s best-known films.

The Dungeonmaster: Computer programmer Paul Bradford is sucked into a fantasy world by Mestema, a demonic sorcerer in search of a worthy opponent. The set has three different versions of the film via seamless branching: the US theatrical version (The Dungeonmaster), the pre-release version and the international version (Ragewar) plus extras like new audio commentary with star Jeffrey Byron, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain from The Schlock Pit, a new interview with Byron, trailers and an image gallery.

Dolls: A group of strangers finds themselves forced to seek shelter at the isolated home of an old toymaker and his wife, only to find that the puppets and dolls have a vicious life of their own. Extras include new audio commentary by David Decoteau, an archive audio commentary with director Stuart Gordon and writer Ed Naha and a third archive audio commentary with cast members Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, Stephen Lee, Carrie Lorraine, and Ian Patrick Williams; a new interview with editor Lee Percy, a making-of, film-to-storyboard comparisons, trailers and an image gallery.

Cellar Dweller: A comic book artist (Jeffrey Combs) with a penchant for the macabre takes inspiration from an ancient tome and unleashes an ancient evil. Extras include new audio commentary by special make-up effects artist Michael Dea, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain from The Schlock Pit, a video appreciation of special make-up effects artist John Carl Buechler, a new interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Deak, the original sales sheet and production notes, a VHS trailer, an Empire Pictures trailer reel and image galleries, including behind-the-scenes photos courtesy of special make-up effects artist Michael Deak.

Arena: In the far future of 4038, a short order cook becomes the first human in fifty years to compete in an intergalactic boxing event on the far side of the universe. Extras include new audio commentary with director Peter Manoogian, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain from The Schlock Pit, an alternative full frame presentation, new interviews with co-screenwriter Danny Bilson and special make-up effects artist Michael Deak, a trailer and an image gallery.

Robot Jox: Stuart Gordon directs Empire Pictures’ most ambitious movie yet, as men and women pilot giant machines in gladiatorial battle to settle international disputes over territory. Extras include two archive audio commentaries (one with director Stuart Gordon and a second with associate effects director Paul Gentry, mechanical effects artist Mark Rappaport and stop-motion animator Paul Jessell), new interviews with Gary Graham and Anne-Marie Johnson as well as a new appreciation of stop motion animator David Allen, an archival interview with actor Paul Koslo, the original sales sheet and production notes, a trailer and image galleries, including behind-the-scenes stills courtesy of associate effects director Paul Gentry.

This incredible set has 1080p blu ray versions of all five movies, amazing limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Laurie Greasley, reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady, double-sided posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady, 15 postcard-sized reproduction artcards, an Arrow Video store “membership card” and an 80-page perfect bound book featuring new writing on the films by Lee Gambin, Dave Jay, Megan Navarro, and John Harrison plus select archival material.

This just might be the best home media release in 2023. Arrow always has so much in these sets and this is no exception, as this is absolutely overloaded with content that will keep you busy until Arrow releases volume two. May I suggest Terror Vision, Eliminators, Trancers, Vicious Lips and Dr. Alien?

You can get this from MVD.