The 3 Best TV Series I Own on Blu-ray – And Why They’re Worth It

There are great TV shows.

There are cultural moments.
And then there are series that redefine what television can be.

Over the past two decades, long-form storytelling has reached cinematic levels of ambition, production quality and emotional impact. While streaming makes everything instantly accessible, there is still something different about owning the complete series of a truly exceptional show on Blu-ray.

The three series below are not ranked. I wouldn’t even attempt to rank them. Each represents the peak of its genre. Each is complete. And each is absolutely worth owning in physical form. In truth, I could have added a few more show box sets to this post but I'll leave it at these three for now.

Game of Thrones

Original Run: 2011–2019
Seasons: 8
Genre: Fantasy / Political Drama

Based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Game of Thrones became one of the most ambitious television productions ever made.

What began as a grounded political struggle between noble houses gradually expanded into a sprawling epic of war, prophecy, betrayal, and power. With massive battle sequences, morally complex characters, and cinematic production values that rivalled major films, the series helped redefine the scale of television.

At its peak, it was appointment viewing worldwide. Entire seasons became cultural events. Characters entered mainstream pop culture. Storylines sparked global discussion.

From a technical perspective, Game of Thrones is one of the clearest examples of why Blu-ray matters. The show’s darker cinematography, detailed battle scenes and large ensemble sequences benefit significantly from higher bitrates and stable physical media playback.

Owning the complete series ensures the full saga is preserved in its highest widely available home format, along with bonus features and behind-the-scenes material.

My 2 Cents:

I was hooked from the very first season. It seemed to arrive out of nowhere. I hadn’t read the books and wasn’t aware of the world it was based on, so I went in completely blind.

Season one had that slightly restrained, almost experimental feel that many new series carry at the start. It didn’t look like the massive production it would eventually become. But the writing was sharp, the characters were layered, and the dialogue carried real weight. You could sense there was something bigger happening beneath the surface. It had the right mix of mythology and real life to hook you in.

This is not a safe show. It is full of nudity, sex, swearing, violence and gore, and it does not apologise for any of it. That rawness was part of the appeal for me. It felt adult in a way that television rarely did at the time.

A word of warning though. Be mindful of when and where you watch it. My own mother once stopped at the sitting room door during a season one episode, just as Littlefinger was orchestrating a rather explicit scene in a brothel. I found the timing uncomfortably hilarious. I didn't dare turn my head to see if there was a reaction.

As the seasons progressed, the show grew in scale and ambition. The battles became cinematic, the politics more intricate, and the stakes higher. It genuinely felt like television had levelled up.

When the series moved beyond the original source material, things did feel rushed. The pacing accelerated and some storylines lost the careful build-up that made earlier seasons so powerful. I understand why it happened, and I accept that it was a difficult position for the creators to be in.

That said, I would always rather see a show end on the creators’ terms, even imperfectly, than be abruptly cancelled without a planned conclusion. At least this story reached its end.

For me, this is essential physical media. Whatever your feelings about the final season, the journey across those eight seasons is one of the most ambitious television experiences ever made. It deserves a place on the shelf.

Supernatural

Original Run: 2005–2020
Seasons: 15
Genre: Supernatural / Fantasy / Drama

Running for fifteen seasons and 327 episodes, Supernatural remains one of the longest-running genre series in American television history.

The show follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they hunt demons, ghosts, angels and apocalyptic threats across the United States. What began as a dark, urban-legend road show gradually evolved into an expansive mythology involving heaven, hell and everything in between.

Its longevity speaks to the strength of its central characters and the loyalty of its audience. Over time, Supernatural blended horror, drama, humour and emotional storytelling into a format that sustained momentum across more than a decade and a half.

From a physical media perspective, owning the complete series on Blu-ray is particularly valuable. A show of this size can rotate between streaming platforms or disappear entirely from certain regions. A complete box set guarantees access to the entire narrative arc from start to finish.

The Blu-ray editions also preserve consistent picture quality and include extras that chart the evolution of the series over fifteen years.

My 2 Cents:

I bought season one on DVD from Amazon back in 2008. The show had already been on air for about three years at that point, and I had no access to the WB network, so I knew absolutely nothing about it. It was reasonably priced for a 22-episode season, so I took a chance.

From the start, it had that “monster of the week” format. Each episode brought a new creature, a new legend, a new threat. But what really made it stick was the brotherly bond between Sam and Dean. That connection was there from episode one. It wasn’t forced. It felt real.

As the seasons progressed, those two characters became almost part of my own extended family. The introduction of Bobby Singer gave the boys a kind of home base and emotional grounding. Other hunters drifting in and out added depth to the wider world. Then came Castiel, which felt like a turning point. The mythology expanded, the stakes grew, and the show found another gear.

Recurring villains like Crowley brought complexity and familiarity. They weren’t just throwaway antagonists. They became part of the fabric of the series. As a viewer, you came to expect them, almost rely on them.

It’s still hard to believe the show ran for fifteen seasons. Even knowing that, most of us would probably have taken a few more.

When the complete Blu-ray box set was released, I paid full price without hesitation. I didn’t want to wait. I wanted the whole journey in one place, properly preserved.

Sometimes I think I should have become a collector later in life. The amount of choice now, especially in complete TV series collections, is incredible. But this one was never a regret. Owning all fifteen seasons feels like owning a piece of television history.

Battlestar Galactica

Original Run: 2004–2009
Seasons: 4
Genre: Science Fiction / Political Drama

The reimagined Battlestar Galactica transformed what television science fiction could achieve.

Set in the aftermath of a devastating AI uprising, the series follows the last remnants of humanity as they flee through space, searching for a new home while pursued by the Cylons. Beneath its science fiction premise lies a layered exploration of politics, faith, survival, identity and moral compromise.

The show’s documentary-style cinematography, grounded performances and tightly constructed narrative arc elevated it beyond traditional genre expectations. It remains one of the most critically respected science fiction series ever produced.

On Blu-ray, the series benefits from improved image clarity, preserved film grain and strong audio presentation, particularly during its large-scale space battles. As a complete, four-season arc, it also represents one of the most cohesive long-form stories available in television.

Owning the full collection ensures access to the main series along with extended episodes and supplemental content that deepen the experience.

My 2 Cents:

Battlestar Galactica was a staple on TV when I was a child. The original series left a lasting impression on me, even though I was probably too young to fully appreciate it. There was something about the ships, the uniforms, the sense of fleeing through space that stuck.

Richard Hatch tried for years to resurrect the franchise. He was passionate about it, even going as far as filming a teaser trailer for a potential continuation, but nothing materialised. So when I heard in the early 2000s that Ronald D. Moore was attempting a revival, I was both curious and cautious.

There was a lot of backlash before it even aired. Fans were sceptical. Some of the casting choices caused uproar. A female Starbuck, an Asian Boomer, and Cylons that looked fully human felt like radical departures at the time.

Then the 2003 mini-series aired, and it worked.

It kept just enough familiarity to honour the original while reshaping the entire tone. It was darker, more grounded, more political. The documentary-style camera work gave it a realism that felt completely different from traditional space opera.

When the full 2004 series launched, it didn’t disappoint. I was glued to it. Every season built on the last. The characters were flawed, human, and morally complicated. The show wasn’t just about survival in space; it was about society under pressure. Faith, politics, war, leadership, identity, even torture and occupation. It took real-world issues and placed them inside a science fiction framework without feeling preachy.

I bought each season on DVD as it was released and paid full price every time. There was no waiting for discounts. I needed the next chapter on the shelf.

It’s one of the few series I return to every couple of years for a full rewatch. The story holds up. The performances hold up. The themes arguably feel even more relevant now than they did at the time.

In 2014, I sold all my individual DVD seasons and upgraded to the complete Blu-ray set. It was an easy decision. This is a show that deserves the best available format.

For me, Battlestar Galactica isn’t just great science fiction. It’s one of the most intelligent television dramas ever made. And owning the complete series feels essential.

Final Thoughts

All three of these series represent long-form storytelling at its most ambitious.

They are complete.
They are self-contained.
And they were produced at a time when television fully embraced cinematic scale.

Streaming platforms change. Licences expire. Formats rotate. Quality varies.

A complete Blu-ray collection offers permanence, consistency and control. For shows of this calibre, ownership still matters.

Where to Buy

Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

💬 Have a thought on this? Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your take.

About the Author

I’m David Condon, a movie enthusiast from Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been collecting DVDs and Blu-rays for years, and along the way my shelves have become a mix of favourites, hidden gems, and titles I occasionally decide to resell.

I’m not a professional critic, just someone who enjoys good films, well-made discs, and the odd rant about the quirks of collecting. This blog is where I share my thoughts, opinions, reviews, and experiences as a fan.

💬 Note from the Author
This blog is a hobby project where I write about DVDs, Blu-rays, and the ups and downs of being a collector. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my other writing:

David Condon Finds – my lifestyle and review blog
David Condon Woodcraft – my main website focused on woodturning and handmade pieces

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