What Are SteelBooks?

SteelBooks are premium packaging for disc media including DVD, Blu-ray, 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray, and occasionally CDs. The disc media typically holds movies, TV shows, music, and video games, and are considered collectible items especially by collectors of physical media.

SteelBook cases are made of a light aluminum material and while have a more durable appeal, are actually quite sensitive to dents and scratches. Often times, collectors protect their SteelBooks by using plastic sleeves or packing material to separate them.

The artwork on the front, back, and inside spreads of SteelBooks is often custom and different from standard marketing materials such as posters. The custom art can be one of the selling points of SteelBooks, often produced by known artists or designers somehow affiliated with the franchise.

SteelBooks are often produced in limited quantities, and are usually labeled as “Limited Editions” when sold on shelves or off websites. SteelBooks can hold a higher value than standard plastic cases used to hold discs. In the US, Best Buy sold exclusive SteelBooks but stopped selling physical media for the most part as of 2024.

Walmart took on much of the inventory Best Buy held and distributes some new and reissued SteelBook titles that Best Buy once distributed. Target has also offered some titles in SteelBook packaging.

See our archive of stories about movies and TV shows in SteelBook editions.

Recent SteelBook Releases