By most accounts, 2012 was a good year for movies. Not only were there more quality theatrical releases than normal, the home video offerings were very impressive.

The past year was particularly strong when it came to DVD and Blu-ray boxed sets. That’s important because it’s these collections that stand apart and have the potential to convince consumers that DVDs and Blu-rays still have advantages over the increasingly popular digital download. Following are five 2012 boxed sets that rank among the best of the best.  

Alfred Hitchcock – The Masterpiece Collection (on Blu-ray): Alfred Hitchcock is universally lauded as one of the greatest directors of all time, and it’s reason to celebrate any time a studio lavishes attention on his work. The Masterpiece Collection from Universal Studios collects 15 of Hitchcock’s greatest films on high-definition Blu-ray. Making this release even more delicious is the fact that all the movies were digitally restored and packaged alongside more than 12 hours of bonus material. The 15 included films are: “Psycho,” “The Birds,” “Rear Window,” “North by Northwest,” “Vertigo,” “Family Plot,” “Frenzy,” “Topaz,” “Torn Curtain,” “Marnie,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” “The Trouble With Harry,” “Rope,” “Shadow of a Doubt” and “Saboteur.”

Bond 50 – The Complete 22 Film Collection: The new James Bond movie, “Skyfall,” is being heralded as one of the best in the franchise’s history. If that movie prompts anyone to revisit the series’ proud past, this 50^th anniversary set is a great starting place. It includes almost every Bond film produced. In fact, the only missing pieces are “Skyfall” (not yet available on video), Sean Connery’s “Never Say Never Again” and David Nivens’ 1967 spoof, “Casino Royale.”

Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection: Few movie franchises boast the consistency of quality seen throughout the Harry Potter releases, and this set collects them all on Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet. There’s no reason for anyone who already owns the individual Blu-rays to buy this set, but it’s a great entry point for fans who are yet to complete their collections.

The Dark Knight Trilogy: This three-film set is low-key compared to the other collections on this list, but it belongs here because the movies are so good. When director Christopher Nolan introduced “Batman Begins” in 2005, his vision of the Caped Crusader immediately became the best put to screen. His 2008 sequel, “The Dark Knight,” was equally solid. Then, Nolan brought his superhero trilogy to an exciting and fitting climax with 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” reminding moviegoers that it’s possible to make an action film that’s as smart as it is action-packed.

Lord of the Rings – The Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition (on Blu-ray): Director Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” movies are incredible works of drama, creativity and technical virtuosity. Because fans can’t seem to get enough of the material, Jackson’s extended cuts have become the ones that many people turn to first. In May, New Line Home Video brought the extended versions to high-definition Blu-ray, making this release the ultimate offering for devotees.

Author Bio:

Forrest Hartman, a Highbrow Magazine contributor, is an independent film critic. For more of his work, visit www.forresthartman.com.