The Thin Man collection is easiest to shop for when you separate three things: the six original films, the number of discs in a particular package, and the playback format. For a new collection with compatible equipment, start with Warner Archive’s six-disc Blu-ray set. For DVD playback or the dedicated Alias Nick & Nora bonus disc, compare the seven-disc DVD package. A four-film collection is a useful sampler, but it leaves two movies to buy separately.
The important differences are below, including edition identifiers, viewing order, subtitle caveats, and the checks that matter when buying used copies or imports.
The six Thin Man movies in order
Release order is the simplest first-time viewing order for William Powell and Myrna Loy’s Nick and Nora Charles adventures:
- The Thin Man (1934)
- After the Thin Man (1936)
- Another Thin Man (1939)
- Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
- The Thin Man Goes Home (1945)
- Song of the Thin Man (1947)
Some packaging uses 1944 for The Thin Man Goes Home. The AFI catalog records a December 1944 copyright and January 1945 release; these refer to the same fifth film. AFI identifies Song of the Thin Man as the sixth and final MGM entry. A seven-disc package therefore does not mean seven feature films.
Which collection fits your shelves?
| Edition | Contents | Identifier to check |
|---|---|---|
| Warner Archive complete Blu-ray collection | Six films on six Blu-ray discs | UPC 883929834822 |
| Complete collection DVD repackage | Six films plus a bonus documentary disc; seven DVDs | ASIN B0090XK9FO; UPC 883929280629 |
| TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Vol. 1 | First four films; four DVDs | ASIN B005F265CU; UPC 883929168644 |
Match the format and identifier together. Similar artwork, a shortened listing title, or an actor’s name cannot establish which edition a seller will send.
Warner Archive Blu-ray: the straightforward complete-film option
The distributor’s listing for UPC 883929834822 specifies six discs and all six films, with a November 12, 2024 release date. It lists DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and a 1.37:1 image presented with side mattes. The description also identifies vintage shorts and cartoons among the supplementary material.
This is the sensible starting point if you want the whole series in one high-definition package. Compare its delivered cost with six individual purchases, especially if shipping is charged separately. If you already own several films, the calculation changes: the missing titles may cost less than buying the complete set again.
Do not confuse a 4K scan with a 4K UHD disc. The distributor describes restorations sourced from 4K scans, but identifies this product as Blu-ray. That wording does not turn it into an Ultra HD edition, establish HDR support, or prove that every older DVD uses the same restoration. Likewise, the collection title alone does not establish that its extras duplicate every previous release.
The seven-disc DVD collection: check the bonus disc
The DVD repackage listed under ASIN B0090XK9FO contains the six movies and an Alias Nick & Nora documentary disc. Amazon identifies seven discs and a November 20, 2012 release; Best Buy’s edition record supplies UPC 883929280629.
The Complete Thin Man Collection: seven-disc DVD repackage
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Choose this route when your player is DVD-only, or when the bonus documentary disc is part of the appeal. It should be evaluated as a DVD purchase rather than a substitute for high-definition playback. If you own an earlier box, compare its disc labels and bonus contents before paying for another package with the same film lineup.
For used copies, ask for a photograph showing all seven labeled discs. A listing can retain the correct box title even when the bonus disc is missing. Packaging wear may be acceptable for a viewing copy; an incomplete set is a different purchase.
TCM Vol. 1: a four-film sampler
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: The Thin Man Vol. 1, ASIN B005F265CU, contains The Thin Man, After the Thin Man, Another Thin Man, and Shadow of the Thin Man. Amazon’s product details specify four DVDs and a November 1, 2011 release. Bull Moose’s catalog identifies UPC 883929168644.
This is worth comparing if you want a smaller starting purchase or already own the last two films. It does not include The Thin Man Goes Home or Song of the Thin Man. Add their separate purchase and shipping costs before deciding that the sampler is the cheaper way to complete the series.
Be equally careful with broader William Powell and Myrna Loy bundles. A shared cast does not make every included movie part of the Thin Man series. Check titles against the six-film list above.
When individual Blu-rays make more sense
Separate releases can fill gaps without replacing a collection you already like. For example, Allied Vaughn’s distributor catalog identifies The Thin Man Blu-ray as UPC 883929684489. MovieZyng also lists individual Warner Archive Blu-rays of Shadow of the Thin Man, UPC 883929776993, and The Thin Man Goes Home, UPC 883929777150.
Buy by the exact format, not by the movie title alone. If you are upgrading one favorite, compare that edition’s stated supplements with the disc you already own. Keep an older disc until you know it contains nothing you would miss.
Region codes, players, and picture shape
GRUV catalogs the six-disc Blu-ray set as Region A. Treat that as the purchasing specification unless the seller can establish broader compatibility for the actual discs. A report about one separately sold film is not a guarantee for every disc in a box.
Sony explains that Blu-ray uses lettered regions, while DVD uses numbered regions. For imports, compare the disc or case markings with your player’s manual. Also check NTSC/PAL compatibility for DVDs; do not assume a television’s capabilities settle what the player accepts.
A DVD-only player cannot play Blu-ray. A 4K television does not change that requirement. These films also have a much squarer image than a modern widescreen TV: the Blu-ray specification includes side mattes. Use the appropriate aspect-ratio setting instead of stretching faces or cropping the picture to fill the screen.
Subtitles deserve their own check
Language support can differ by format and film. The Free Library’s record for the 2005 The Thin Man DVD lists English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. Its Song of the Thin Man DVD record lists English, French, and Spanish. Both records identify Region 1 DVDs. Neither guarantees the same options on a later repackage or Blu-ray.
Movies Unlimited lists English SDH for the Blu-ray collection. If captions or a particular translation are essential, ask for back-cover confirmation for the exact edition and check whether the feature films and extras are both covered. Do not infer subtitle languages from an English audio listing.
Before you place the order
- Confirm all six titles if you want a complete film collection.
- Match DVD or Blu-ray, UPC or ASIN, and the seller’s actual item description.
- Check region compatibility and required subtitles before opening a sealed import.
- For used sets, verify disc count, condition, bonus-disc inclusion, and returns.
- Compare delivered totals rather than advertised prices alone.
For most new Blu-ray collections, start with the six-disc Warner Archive package. Choose the seven-disc DVD for DVD playback or its documentary disc, and the TCM four-film set when its smaller selection genuinely fits what you need.
