Forget the predictable Blu-Rays and generic cinema gift cards. This holiday season, you can truly impress the film enthusiast in your life with a range of creative and thoughtful presents that go far beyond the ordinary.
High-End Experiences and Collector's Items
For the ultimate splurge, consider a pass to the final Sundance Film Festival edition in Park City, Utah this January. Online access starts at $350, while an in-person express pass will set you back $4,275. Alternatively, fans of the film One Battle After Another might appreciate a plaid robe inspired by Bob Ferguson, such as one from L.L. Bean for $89.95.
For the forward-thinking Christopher Nolan devotee, Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey is a perfect preparatory gift ahead of the director's anticipated July release.
Curated Gifts for Every Type of Cinephile
The Criterion Collection's Wes Anderson Archive box set is a mammoth 20-disc investment for the true diehard. It features 10 films from the past 25 years, new 4K masters, over 25 hours of special features, and 10 clothbound books with essays from legends like Martin Scorsese. Priced at $399.96, it is the definitive collection for any Anderson aficionado.
Set the scene for a perfect movie night with candles from Mise en Scènt, a female-owned, Brooklyn-based company. Their hand-poured candles, starting at $24, include scents like Old Hollywood with its smoky leather aroma and the clean, floral Rom Com.
For the youngest film fans, ’lil cinephile offers a series of beautifully illustrated board books. Starting at $15, titles like My First Sci-Fi Movie and the niche My First Giallo Horror make for adorable gifts. Oscar-winning filmmaker Sean Baker has called them his go-to presents for new parents.
Fans of the film KPop Demon Hunters will understand and appreciate Rumi's choo choo pajama pants, a cozy gift available from Netflix for $56.95.
Deep Dives into Cinematic Artistry
Cinematography legend Roger Deakins, known for his work on films like 1917 and No Country for Old Men, has released a visual memoir. Reflections: On Cinematography costs $45 and features never-before-seen storyboards and sketches, offering a unique look into his five-decade career.
If mainstream streaming services feel too pedestrian, the Kino Film Collection offers a rotating selection of art house and indie classics for just $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year. This makes it a more affordable alternative to the Criterion Channel or Mubi.
For a fun group activity, the Celluloid card game challenges players to connect movie prompts. At $19, it is a perfect way to determine the biggest film buff among friends and family.
Finally, a stunning coffee-table book titled Even as a Shadow, Even as a Dream serves as a companion piece to Chloé Zhao's new film Hamnet, which opens in limited release on November 27. A collaboration with Jessie Buckley and Agata Grzybowska, this $40 book is an otherworldly, haunting collection of images and words, rather than a conventional making-of guide.
