Collecting steelbooks: format, limited runs and storage

What is a steelbook?

A steelbook is a case made of metal instead of plastic, with its own design on the front and back and often inside as well. SteelBook is a registered brand name of the manufacturer Scanavo; shops and publishers often use the word for any metal film case. Inside is a regular disc, with the same film as in the plastic release.

So you mainly buy a steelbook for the case. Many collectors pick one of a film they already know, and display it front facing out on the shelf.

Which format is inside?

A steelbook comes with a DVD, a Blu-ray or a 4K Ultra HD disc. You cannot always tell from the outside, and product names are often long. On Playtto the format is shown with every version on the product page. An example: Two For The Money has a steelbook with a DVD, and another steelbook of the same film with a Blu-ray.

Steelbooks with a 4K disc include Back To The Future Trilogy, Gladiator II, Mars Attacks!, Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts and Joker: Folie à Deux. For a 4K disc you need an Ultra HD Blu-ray player; a regular Blu-ray player does not play it.

Limited runs and different designs

Many steelbooks come out in a limited run, with "Limited Edition" in the name, such as Righteous Kill and Twelve. A popular film can have several steelbooks, with a different design or for a different country. Each has its own EAN. So compare by the full name and the format, and check the photo to see if it is the design you are after.

Subtitles and imports

Steelbooks are often made for one country. If "NL ondertiteld" is in the name, as with Pulp Fiction (Limited Edition Steelbook), the release has Dutch subtitles. With an import, check the language and subtitle details in the description. Regular Blu-rays and DVDs can also have a region code; the Netherlands and Belgium are region B for Blu-ray and region 2 for DVD, like most of Europe.

Series in steelbook

Not only films: seasons of series also come out as steelbooks, often with several discs. The catalogue includes The Last Of Us: Season 2 and A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: Season 1 with 4K discs, and The Penguin: Season 1 on Blu-ray. They are under Series.

Storage and the condition of the case

A metal case can dent and scratch. Collectors therefore watch the condition of the case:

• Protective sleeve: a clear plastic sleeve around the steelbook keeps scratches off.
• Store upright: keep steelbooks upright on the shelf, not in a pile, so no pressure lands on the corners.
• Shrink wrap and sticker: new steelbooks come in film, sometimes with a sticker or card giving the language and disc details. If you want to keep the condition, remove them with care or leave them on.
• Taking the disc out: the disc clips into a plastic holder inside the case. Press the centre of the holder rather than pulling at the disc.

How to compare

On Playtto every release of a film has its own version on the product page: DVD, Blu-ray, 4K and steelbook separately, each with its own EAN. That way you see prices for exactly the steelbook you want. All films are under Films.