There’s something special about a good thrift haul—the thrill of the hunt, the unexpected finds, and the joy of adding to an ever-growing collection. My latest Thrift Picks run was supposed to be a light one, just a handful of titles. But when you stumble upon great deals, you go with the flow. And this time, I walked away with a stack of movies covering classics, collector’s editions, blind buys, and a few personal favorites.
Let’s break down what I picked up, why I grabbed them, and what makes them worth a spot in the collection.
The Double Dips: Collecting with Purpose
Sometimes, a movie is worth owning twice. Whether it’s for a collector’s edition upgrade, a slipcover I love, or additional special features, I have no problem double-dipping when the right copy comes along.
City Slickers (Award Series Edition, Sealed) – I already own this, but I loved the slipcover and couldn't pass up another brand-new copy.
World Trade Center (Oliver Stone, Commemorative Edition) – I own a standard copy, but this version has exclusive commentaries and in-depth survivor Q&A.
Schindler’s List (Steven Spielberg, 10th Anniversary Edition) – This one had an additional booklet and historical context that my other copy lacked.
Must-Have Classics & Special Editions
These are films that have stood the test of time—some I’ve seen before and needed to own, others I’ve wanted to check out for years.
Ghost (Special Collector’s Edition) – A ‘90s classic that I haven’t seen in a while. Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg at their best.
Blazing Saddles (30th Anniversary Edition, Mel Brooks) – A comedy classic that I’ve never actually watched all the way through.
The Best Years of Our Lives (MGM, Academy Award Winner 1946) – A film that often pops up on must-watch lists for classic cinema.
The Wild Bunch (Original Director’s Cut, 2-Disc Special Edition) – A legendary Western I’ve always wanted to experience in full.
Out of Africa (Collector’s Edition, Sidney Pollack, Best Picture 1985) – A blind buy, but Meryl Streep and Robert Redford are a winning combo.
Completing the Franchise & Filling in Gaps
I love the feeling of completing a set, whether it's a trilogy or an entire franchise.
Men in Black 3 – I already own the first two, and I needed this to round out the original trilogy.
The Animatrix – The missing piece in my Matrix collection. Now I have every installment across VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray.
Pride and Prejudice (BBC Colin Firth Version) – Already own the Keira Knightley adaptation, so it’ll be fun to compare the two.
State Fair (60th Anniversary, Rodgers & Hammerstein, 2-Disc Set) – Comes with both the 1945 and 1962 versions, a perfect deep-dive opportunity.
Blind Buys & Curious Finds
These are the wildcards—the movies I’ve either never heard of or never seen but took a gamble on.
Blank Check (Disney) – The cover compared it to Home Alone, which intrigued me enough to check it out.
Cherry (Shalom Harlow, Jake Weber, Donovan Leach) – A ‘90s rom-com about a woman choosing between love and single motherhood.
The Best of Everything (1959, 20th Century Fox Studio Classics) – Never heard of it, but it’s part of a classic film collection, so I figured it’s worth a look.
I Love You, Beth Cooper (Comedy) – Filling in the comedy section of my collection, and Hayden Panettiere makes it an interesting pick.
Green Zone (Matt Damon, Paul Greengrass) – A rewatch that I remember enjoying back when it was released.
Oblivion (Tom Cruise, Sci-Fi) – A visually stunning film that I always meant to revisit.
Oklahoma! (Rodgers & Hammerstein, Musical) – A musical classic that’s been missing from my collection.
Holiday & Seasonal Picks
Jack Frost & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2 – Jack Frost has been a longtime favorite, and this double feature was an easy pick.
Collector’s Editions & Special Releases
Finally, the crown jewel of this haul: a brand-new 4K remaster from A24.
Pi (Darren Aronofsky, 25th Anniversary, A24 4K UHD Edition) – This was a major steal. Originally $40, I used my A24 membership perks and birthday gift card to bring the price down to just $8! It comes with director & actor commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and Sundance Film Festival clips. Plus, A24 gives digital access with each purchase, so I can stream it anytime.
Final Thoughts: The Thrill of the Hunt
This haul was one of my best in a while—tons of classic films, collector’s editions, and blind buys that will keep me busy for weeks. As my collection nears 1,300 films and nearly 100 TV series, I’m being more selective, but I’ll always have room for the right finds.
If you’re ever thrifting for movies in Union City, NJ, check out Crazy Deals Thrift Shop—they have some of the best finds, and the owner is great.
What’s your best thrift find? Let me know in the comments!
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