Yahoo Movies' Holly-Jolly Holiday Gift Guide 2016

We honestly don’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice — we at Yahoo Movies are not the judging types. That said, we’ve made a list and checked it twice. From stocking stuffers to wallet-busters, we’ve selected the best cinematic gifts for the movie lover, helpfully grouped in 10 categories below. Peruse away and happy holidays!

Whether you have a sweet 4K TV and tricked-out audio or prefer watching from the closest available device, let’s feed your machine with the best home entertainment of the year.

  1. Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro — This multidisc set from the unmatched curators at the Criterion Collection includes pristine digital remasters of the filmmaker’s stylized thrillers Cronos, The Devil’s Backbone, and Pan’s Labyrinth, with enough extras to keep you occupied until Christmas 2017; the Blu-ray edition also includes a hardcover book of essays. ($80, Criterion.com)

  2. Aliens: 30th Anniversary Edition — James Cameron’s white-knuckle sequel still packs a wallop thanks to a top-notch cast of characters led by Sigourney Weaver’s fearless Ripley and Bill Paxton’s quote-a-matic Pvt. Hudson, terrifying monsters, and a crackling script. This set includes two different cuts of the film, deleted scenes, and prints of the iconic xenomorphs. ($10, Amazon)

  3. Labyrinth: 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition — This underappreciated fantasy featuring the combined talents of Jim Henson (his last movie), George Lucas, and David Bowie gets a deserved digital polish in this bonus-crammed anniversary edition complete with a minibook of concept art and tons of bonus content. ($15, Amazon)

  4. Mad Max: High-Octane Collection — George Miller’s pulse-pounding quartet of post-apocalyptic thrill rides also includes his Black and Chrome black-and-white version of Fury Road, which is also available as a separate double feature with the (colored) theatrical release. ($75 for the Blu-ray set; $25 for the Fury Road/Black and Chrome Blu-ray, Amazon)

  5. Deadpool — Ryan Reynolds’s refreshingly irreverent, R-rated fourth-wall-wrecking antihero crashed theaters this year, and superhero movies will never be the same. Chimichangas not included. ($14, Amazon)

  6. Captain America: Civil War — Jokingly nicknamed “Almost Avengers,” this latest, and perhaps greatest, entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe features Cap and Iron Man taking sides in a brutal battle, while it also introduces two incredible new heroes to the fracas: Spider-Man and Black Panther. Replete with the requisite bonus features, this is the perfect Blu-ray for the comic fan on your list. ($22, Amazon)

  7. Prince Movie Collection — Celebrate the life of the Purple One by giving the gift of his films with this Blu-ray set of Under the Cherry Moon, Graffiti Bridge, and his best, Purple Rain. Yes, the music sometimes overshadows the movies, but damn, that music is so good. ($15, Best Buy)

  8. Star Trek: 50th Anniversary TV and Movie Collection — Boldly go everywhere the original Enterprise crew has ever gone with this appropriately epic 30-disc Blu-ray box set honoring a half-century of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and the rest of the Federation’s finest. ($125, Best Buy)

Not only did 2016 see a record number of original animated features, a big percentage of them were actually good. Whether you want to revisit one of the year’s early hits or play with toys of the current ones, we’ve got you covered here.

  1. Jungle Book 3D Collector’s Edition — While not technically a cartoon, Jon Favreau’s eye-popping update of the Kipling stories via the seminal Disney cartoon, is largely computer-generated. In any case, it’s worth revisiting, especially to dig through the new extras on the collector’s edition and listen to Favreau fanboying. ($35, Amazon)

  2. Sony Animation Collection Lunchbox Set — While Sony Animation doesn’t have the track record of Pixar or DreamWorks, the studio has released its share of critical and commercial hits (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs), crowd-pleasers (Hotel Transylvania), and films that should have been both (the charming Arthur Christmas). Ten of Sony’s best are compiled on DVD in this tin lunchbox set. ($50, Amazon)

  3. Kubo and the Two Strings — The stop-motion savants at Laika are back with this artisanal heart-tugging tale of a boy on a mystical journey of (self-) discovery. The Blu-ray is loaded with bonus features, which you should check out in advance of what should be a legitimate Oscar run. ($28 for 3D, Amazon)

  4. Finding Dory — Pixar’s latest blockbuster revisits our friends from Finding Nemo in this surprisingly moving sequel focusing on Ellen DeGeneres’s forgetful fish. ($15, Amazon)

  5. Zootopia — Disney’s surprise hit is a charming blend of buddy comedy and mystery, with some hysterical nods to Breaking Bad and Chinatown, featuring strong voice work from Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman. If the sloth-run DMV doesn’t win you over, you are truly a humbug. ($25, Target)

  6. Iron Giant Signature Edition — Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this edition of director Brad Bird’s underappreciated masterpiece features two restored scenes not included in the original theatrical release. ($10, Best Buy)

  7. Moana Classic Doll — While the newest Disney offering isn’t available for home viewing yet, you can act out the action with this doll from the Disney Store. Added bonus: the box was designed to transform into a boat for added fun and less waste. ($20, Disney Store)

  8. Trolls Blind Bags — Another cartoon that’s still in theaters, the Anna Kendrick-Justin Timberlake feature has inspired a revamp of the classic toys from Hasbro, but our favorites are these “blind bags” containing a random character from the movie. A great stocking stuffer. ($3/each, Toys “R” Us)

You can’t watch a movie while driving (or at least we at Yahoo Movies advocate against such dangerous viewing habits), but you can listen to a soundtrack. This year has produced some fine ones, including a few noted below. And we didn’t forget the vinyl lovers out there.

  1. Trainspotting Two-LP Vinyl — To mark the 20th anniversary of the film’s release and in advance of the sequel, this two-record set, pressed in orange vinyl, includes cuts by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Blur, and more. ($30, Amazon)

  2. Moana — Lin-Manuel Miranda follows up Hamilton with songs for the latest Disney animated feature. The two-disc version also includes Mark Mancina’s score as well as outtakes and demos. ($14, Amazon)

  3. Deadpool — Mixing Junkie XL’s electronic score with George Michael, Juice Newton, DMX, Neil Sedaka, and Salt-N-Pepa, this soundtrack is as fresh as the movie. And yes, Teamheadkick’s fan-favorite “Deadpool Rap” is included. ($12, Amazon)

  4. Mondo Gremlins 2XLP vinyl — Jerry Goldsmith’s music for the classic 1980s horror comedy is celebrated in this striking collection (pressed on 180-gram vinyl) featuring artwork by Phantom City Creative. ($35, MondoTees—on sale Nov. 30)

  5. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — Oh yeah. Thirty years after the film’s premiere, John Hughes’s comedy is finally getting its soundtrack album via this limited-edition release from the boutique La-La Land Records. ($20, La-La Land Records)

  6. La La Land — Speaking of La La Land, the charming movie featuring the crooning Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is expected to be a big factor this awards season. Don’t be surprised to hear the actors warbling “City of Stars” at the Oscars. ($12, pre-order on iTunes)

Own the office party with these fierce pieces of outerwear. Ugly is the new beautiful.

  1. Star Wars Darth Vader Merry Sithmas Sweater — TVStoreOnline.com has an enormous collection of Star Wars-themed ugly holiday sweaters, but none is quite as bizarre as this item, thanks to a proportionally challenged image of Darth Vader’s head resting atop a painfully punny Christmas salutation. ($60, TVStoreOnline)

  2. Stormtrooper With Reindeer Antlers Sweater — Stormtroopers aren’t the most attractive villains in the galaxy, and they become even more unsightly when their helmets are adorned with reindeer antlers — as is the case with this curious holiday sweater. ($60, TVStoreOnline)

  3. Disney Men’s Olaf Sweater — Amazon offers three varieties of repulsive sweaters featuring everyone’s favorite Frozen snowman, Olaf — and thanks to a puke-green color scheme, this one is the most deliberately, hilariously awful. ($20-$30, Amazon)

  4. Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas Young Men’s Sweater — Jack Skellington dominates this The Nightmare Before Christmas sweater, although on his way to the knitting factory, the gaunt ghoul seems to have developed a strangely mutated body as well as … hair? ($30, Sears)

  5. Home Alone Escaped Wet Bandits Sweater — Among the myriad ugly Home Alone sweaters (three of which are available at TVStoreOnline.com), we prefer this ridiculous version, featuring Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern’s clownish criminals sporting Christmas hats. ($50, TVStoreOnline)

  6. Christmas Vacation Fun Old-Fashioned Family Sweater — The Griswold clan’s Christmas Vacation has inspired a lot of unattractive winter wear, though few items are as truly repugnant as this sweater, which features various elements from the film positioned around a substandard representation of Chevy Chase’s Walley World eggnog mug. ($60, UglyChristmasSweater)

  7. Fragile Leg Lamp Light-Up Sweater — Nothing says Christmas quite like A Christmas Story, and this sweater pays tribute to the seasonal classic by celebrating its unforgettably tacky (and fragile!) leg lamp. ($66, TVStoreOnline)

  8. Harry Potter Owl Deathly Hallows Sign Sweater — A bunch of Harry Potter-related symbols are thrown together in a haphazard fashion on this top, which is sure to be indecipherable to all but the most die-hard fans of J.K. Rowling’s fantasy saga. ($57, TVStoreOnline)

  9. Gremlins Cardigan — Middle of Beyond has many great holiday sweaters (including two fantastic Alien selections), and one of its best is this Gremlins gem, which melds the cuteness of Gizmo and the ugliness of his evil enemies in a visually busy style. ($85, MiddleofBeyond)

  10. Bill and Ted Sweater — This is one of the most expensive movie-themed sweaters available online. Then again, can you really put a price on having such a righteously excellent addition to your Christmas wardrobe? Front to back, this might be the greatest holiday sweater ever. ($85, MiddleofBeyond)

Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scenes

You’ve seen the movie, now read the book. These 2016 releases offer a glimpse behind the magic … and make for swell presents.

  1. Insight Editions: The Art of Moana/The Art of the Iron Giant/The Art of Kubo and the Two Strings/The Art of Zootopia/The Art of Finding Dory — Whatever kind of animation you prefer, these lovely coffee-table books go deep inside the animation process, from often-abandoned early sketches and concepts to story boards and finished art. (Moana, $40, Amazon; Iron Giant, $22, Amazon; Kubo, $31, Amazon; Zootopia, $26, Amazon; Dory, $13, Amazon)

  2. The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher — By now you’ve heard the blockbuster revelation about Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford’s extracurricular activities, but that’s not all the hijinks that happened behind the scenes of Star Wars, according to the always entertaining Fisher in her latest tell-all. ($16, Barnes & Noble)

  3. Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History — Meticulously researched and packed with fun facts (did you know Ted Nugent was also considered for the David Bowie role?) and incredible artwork, this visual history goes deep inside Jim Henson’s cult classic fantasy film. ($39, Barnes & Noble)

  4. Doctor Strange: The Art of the Movie — Discover how the filmmakers came up with the visuals for what is easily the trippiest of the Marvel movies so far. ($39, Amazon)

  5. After the Final Curtain: The Fall of the American Movie Theater — Photographer Matt Lambros, who has made a career shooting abandoned architecture, turns his lens to shuttered movie palaces in this haunting volume. ($33, Amazon)

  6. The Tao of Bill Murray — This book recounts dozens of the serendipitous, silly, and surreal true stories of Murray’s party-crashing, practical jokes, and general joie de vivre, proving it’s Bill Murray’s world and we just live in it. ($17, Barnes & Noble)

  7. The Godfather Notebook — Francis Ford Coppola presents his insanely detailed annotations of Mario Puzo’s novel, which the filmmaker referred to constantly while developing and shooting his classic. Also available as an audiobook read by Coppola himself. ($32, Amazon)

Star Wars Holiday Gift Guide
Star Wars Holiday Gift Guide

Another year, another Star Wars movie, another windfall for fans. From action figures to mystery boxes, we’ve got something for everyone on your list, whether Padawan or Jedi Master.

  1. The Force Awakens 3D Collector’s Edition — Even if you don’t have a 3D TV, this four-disc set is a dramatic step up from the original release, thanks largely to J.J. Abrams’s commentary track, which offers insight into the nuts-and-bolts of making the film, as well as some interesting details on the story you might have missed in earlier viewings. Also includes new deleted scenes and featurettes, along with all the original bonus features. ($30, Amazon)

  2. Star Wars: Lightsaber Thumb Wrestling Force Wars — A delightfully goofy stocking stuffer, this board book lets you and a buddy battle it out across seven different scenes from the space opera. May the forefinger be with you. ($9, Barnes & Noble)

  3. Star Wars: Complete Locations — An indispensable resource for Star Wars aficionados, this visual guide intricately maps out 50-plus settings in that galaxy far, far away and is guaranteed to reveal information you never know. ($22, Barnes & Noble)

  4. Remote-Controlled Rapid-Fire Imperial AT-ACT Play Set — Hasbro has gone next-level with this 3.75-inch-scale Rogue One walker that really walks; it also makes movie-accurate sounds, blasts Nerf darts, and can be controlled via your smartphone or tablet. Includes Jyn Erso, a pilot, and Imperial astromech droid C2-B5. ($300, Disney Store)

  5. Star Wars The Black Series action figures — These aren’t your parents’ Kenner figures. With characters spanning the saga, including Rogue One, these highly articulated, amazingly rendered 6-inch-scale deluxe figures feature configurable body parts and weapons. ($20 each, HasbroToyShop; the Scarif Stormtrooper, top right in image 5, is a Walmart exclusive.)

  6. Star Wars Clue — Forget Col. Mustard and Miss Scarlet: This version of the classic board game stars Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, R2-D2, and C-3PO solving a mystery aboard the Death Star. ($25, Hasbro)

  7. Smuggler’s Bounty subscription box — This is a mystery box by the folks at Funko, purveyors of the cute Pop! vinyl figures. Each box includes multiple Pop! Star Wars characters, a T-shirt or accessory, patches, and more. ($25 per box/$150 annual subscription, Smuggler’s Bounty)

From Deadpool to Suicide Squad, 2016 will go down as the biggest year yet for superhero movies. This list will help you find the perfect something for the comic lover in your life.

  1. The Marvel Encyclopedia/The DC Comics Encyclopedia — Whatever your flavor of fandom, these are the essential source books. Chock full of illustrations and details on all the A-listers who populate the respective cinematic universes as well as the obscure characters from the depths of the canon, both volumes have been updated and revised for 2016. (Marvel: $25, Amazon; DC: $31 Amazon)

  2. Wonder Woman: A Celebration of 75 Years/Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Box Set — With her diamond jubilee year winding down and her solo movie just months away, there’s no better time to study up on the greatest female comic character of all time. Celebration is jammed with stories ranging from her origin to her latest exploits, while the box set collects four volumes of the Amazonian’s adventures by some of comicdom’s top creators. (Celebration: $31, Barnes & Noble; Box set: $36, Barnes & Noble)

  3. Aliens 30th Anniversary: The Original Comic Series — Suffice it to say many fans prefer Dark Horse’s follow-up to the James Cameron movie than the eventual sequel, Alien 3. The story picks up right after the movie and is rendered all the more striking by the gorgeous, terrifying black-and-white illustrations. ($25, Amazon)

  4. The Flash Omnibus — A deep dive into the fastest man alive. Get up to speed on Barry Allen with nearly 500 pages from the rebooted run by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato that should keep you engrossed until the Ezra Miller-powered film arrives in 2018. ($63, Amazon)

  5. The Mysterious World of Doctor Strange — Does the MCU’s newest dimension-hopping hero have you scratching your head? This is the guidebook for you, a great primer on Strange’s comic history, including a look at his adversaries and allies as well as potential hints about how he might fit in with the Avengers onscreen. ($17, Target)

  6. Marvel Unlimited — Old Man Logan. Ragnarok. Spider-Man. Infinity War. This digital subscription service gives you access to the entire Marvel archive so you can load up on all your favorites and be prepared for all the big superhero movies next year. ($5/month, $60/year, or, if you’re feeling generous, $99/year for the Ultimate Plus tier, which includes an exclusive Captain Marvel action figure, three variant comics, a Doctor Strange pin, a Black Panther patch, and discounts on Marvel gear at Marvel.com)

  7. Marvel Legends Captain America Shield/Iron Man Electronic Helmet — For crime fighting, cosplaying or just kicking around the man cave, these are the ultimate accessories for comic fans; adult-sized, insanely detailed, and cool as hell. (Shield: $100, Target; helmet: $100, Target)

  8. Goodnight Batcave Mad magazine puts a perfectly arch, completely unauthorized Dark Knight take on the classic kids’ storybook. ($11, Barnes & Noble)

It’s a big year in the Potterverse: the original movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, turned 15; a new prequel, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and a sequel, the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, arrived; and the Wizarding World came to Universal Studios Hollywood. To celebrate, we waved our wands, uttered, “Accio!” and all these Potter-perfect gifts appeared.

  1. Wizarding World Loot Crate — This curated “mystery box” from the proudly geeky fans at Loot Crate includes all sorts of gear for the Potterhead in your life, including an adorable figure, cuddly owl, and T-shirt. ($35, Loot Crate)

  2. The Case of Beasts: Explore the Film Wizardry of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them — Packed in a facsimile of a charmed suitcase, this book goes behind the scenes of Fantastic Beasts and includes not only sketches, designs, and artwork but also intricate papercraft and reproductions of props. ($27, Amazon)

  3. Pottermore Presents (short story eBook collection) — This trio of short eBooks by J.K. Rowling explores the previously untold stories of Hogwarts, its history, and its staff. ($3/each or $9/set on most digital formats, including Kindle and iBooks)

  4. Lego Dimensions: Fantastic Beasts Story Pack — The only Lego set to feature characters from the movie is this add-on to Dimensions, which not only lets you play through six levels from the film — interacting with all sorts of magical creatures along the way — but also allows for free play in the greater Lego universe. ($50, Toys “R” Us)

  5. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle — This cooperative deck-building game goes deep on Potter knowledge, allowing players to be Harry, Ron, Hermione, or Neville as they team up to defeat the dark forces and protect Hogwarts. ($50, ThinkGeek)

From video games to real robots to a portable Baby Groot, here are some things tech-loving film fanatics to plug into.

  1. Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection — Before you see Michael Fassbender’s take on the blockbuster game franchise about an ancient brotherhood of hitmen, revisit some of the classic storylines in this remastered collection for next-gen systems. Includes Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations, plus all add-on packs, short films, and a ticket to the movie. ($60, Amazon)

  2. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided — With Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson signing on to helm a movie version of Deus Ex, it’s a good time to sample the dystopian world with the latest installment. The collector’s edition (shown) includes the game, expansion packs, two books, soundtrack, exclusive digital content, and a 9-inch figurine. ($97, Amazon)

  3. Arkham Batman VR — The nearest we’ve come to actually being the Bat, this game puts you in Gotham trying to solve a mystery, with all the Caped Crusader’s toys at your disposal — provided you have the real VR headset required to play. ($20, Amazon)

  4. Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20-Year Celebration — This year saw Alicia Vikander tapped to take over the iconic role of Lara Croft previously played onscreen by Angelina Jolie. Those unfamiliar with the franchise — or those who haven’t played in a while — can catch up with Ms. Croft in this special edition of the latest chapter, complete with art book. ($70, Amazon)

  5. Ozobot Avengers — These ultra-adorable minirobots can follow interactive “training” missions or can be programmed Tony Stark-style (hopefully not for world domination) via smartphone and web-based apps to take on obstacle courses and other creative-play tabletop adventures. Cap and Iron Man skins will be available for the holidays, with additional heroes and villains coming soon. ($124 for the starter set/additional skins $29, Ozobot)

  6. Air Hogs Rebel Assault: X-Wing vs. Death Star — The closest things yet to being able to make your own trench run, this set features an X-Wing drone that can take aim, via an infrared weapons system, at a floating Death Star. Be careful, though: The Death Star shoots back. ($80, Walmart)

  7. Baby Groot Car Charger — A supreme stocking stuffer and henceforth, in our opinion, the only way to charge devices in our vehicle, be it car, truck, or spaceship. Baby Groot has two USB ports and dances as he refuels your smartphone. ($40, ThinkGeek)

For The Serious Cinephile
For The Serious Cinephile

We curated these big-ticket gifts for the movie maven who has (almost) everything.

  1. Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie — Aside from George Lucas, no one has had as great an impact on the look of the Star Wars universe as McQuarrie. His sketches, concept art, and rich paintings continue to inform the films to this day. Abrams Books’ stunning two-volume hardbound set has 800 pages of McQuarrie’s work, from the most iconic images to previously unknown works rescued from Lucasfilm trash bins. ($155, Amazon)

  2. The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Movies 1921-1968 — The latest of Taschen’s work-of-art cinema art books is the ultimate gift for discerning Disney fans. Packed with more than 1,500 images dating from the earliest shorts to Walt’s final produced film, The Jungle Book, and essays by eminent film historians, this Film Archives edition offers rare insight into the creative process at the Mouse House. ($153, Amazon)

  3. Gift subscription to FilmStruck — Think of FilmStruck as the arthouse version of Netflix. Combining the libraries of Turner Classic Movies and the Criterion Collection, this is a streaming service for cinephiles. ($7/month for the basic plan; $11/month with the addition of the Criterion Collection; $99/year for the full service; FilmStruck)

  4. Criterion gift certificate — Not sure if your gift recipient already owns a movie? You can’t go wrong with a Criterion gift certificate. Purveyors of the finest in home entertainment, Criterion releases are unmatched in quality of presentation and quantity of bonus features. New releases include Akira Kursosawa’s Dreams, P.T. Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, and the Lone Wolf and Cub ($25-$250, Criterion)

  5. Middle Earth Limited Collector’s Edition — Hobbit heads who can’t get enough of Peter Jackson’s Tolkien adaptations may meet their match with this 30-disc (!) Blu-ray box collecting all six Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, enough bonus video material to stuff a war elephant, a book of sketches, and a shelf featuring wood selected by Jackson himself. ($500, Target)

  6. MasterClass — Give the gift that keeps on giving: education. MasterClass recruits some of Hollywood’s top talents to instruct via in-depth video-based courses that even include office hours. Take screenwriting with Aaron Sorkin, acting with Kevin Spacey or Dustin Hoffman, directing with Werner Herzog, or scoring with Hans Zimmer. ($90/course, MasterClass)

Editor’s note: Prices and availability subject to change.