The BFI has unveiled an exciting slate of Blu-ray and DVD releases scheduled for January, February and March 2026, spanning documentary, television, crime cinema and family adventure. Across these three months, major rediscoveries and long-awaited UK debuts are being brought to home video, each title accompanied by extra features and an illustrated booklet to deepen appreciation and context.
26 January – Cinema Expanded: The Films of Frederick Wiseman
On 26 January, the BFI releases Cinema Expanded: The Films of Frederick Wiseman, a 3-disc Blu-ray collection featuring five documentaries made between 1967 and 1975, marking their first UK release on disc. The set shines a spotlight on one of the world’s most important documentary filmmakers, renowned for his observational portraits of institutions and communities.
Structured around a core selection from Wiseman’s early career, the collection offers a crucial entry point into his body of work and aligns with the BFI’s broader commitment to celebrating his films across cinema and home entertainment.
16 February – Daniel Farson’s Guide to Britain: Volume 1
On 16 February, Daniel Farson’s Guide to Britain: Volume 1 arrives as a dual-format edition (Blu-ray + DVD). Drawing from the Associated-Rediffusion television archive, this set showcases the work of pioneering investigative journalist Daniel Farson in post-war Britain.
The release offers a curated selection of Farson’s programmes, capturing his brash, bohemian on-screen persona and his explorations of British life, culture and social change, making it an important document of early TV reportage and documentary broadcasting.
23 February – Strongroom (first time on Blu-ray)
On 23 February, the BFI issues Strongroom on Blu-ray for the first time, presenting a new remaster of this highly regarded British B‑movie. Directed by Vernon Sewell and released in 1962, the film follows a bank heist gone wrong, and is celebrated for its tight suspense and economical storytelling.
Much admired by contemporary filmmakers and cult cinema fans, this edition gives Strongroom a prominent place in the British crime canon, with the Blu-ray release following a limited theatrical revival. Further details on the restoration and release can be found via specialist coverage such as Cine Outsider.
16 March – Children’s Film Foundation Bumper Box: Volume 6
On 16 March, the BFI continues its popular series with Children’s Film Foundation Bumper Box: Volume 6, a nostalgic collection of nine adventurous films. These family-friendly titles feature beloved British character actors and classic Children’s Film Foundation storytelling, from plucky kids outwitting crooks to imaginative escapades and gentle moral lessons.
The set provides an accessible way to explore the history of British children’s cinema, appealing both to viewers who grew up with these films and to new audiences discovering them for the first time.
Late March – Negatives (Peter Medak’s debut)
In late March, the BFI rounds off the quarter with Negatives, the 1968 debut feature by filmmaker Peter Medak, released on UK disc formats for the first time. A cinematic character study rooted in shifting identities and role-play, Negatives explores the psychological dynamics within an unconventional relationship, capturing the mood and experimentation of late‑1960s British cinema.
The release finally makes this cult title widely available in the UK, contextualising it through supplements and booklet essays that examine its style, themes and place in Medak’s career.
Extras and booklets on all titles
All of the above BFI releases are set to include:
- New or archival extra features (such as interviews, contextual featurettes or archival material)
- An illustrated booklet with essays, credits and archival documents, designed to provide historical and critical insight into each work
These additions reinforce the BFI’s role not just as a distributor but as a curator and educator, ensuring that important films and television works are preserved, contextualised and made accessible to a wide home‑viewing audience. For an overview of current and upcoming releases, you can also consult the BFI’s official home-video pages at BFI – Films on DVD / Blu-ray.(first pressing). Pre-orders are now available via usual home entertainment retailers.
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