There's something about Trick ‘r Treat that means it keeps coming back. Almost two decades on from the release of the Halloween anthology film, there may still be no firm sign of a sequel, but its spirit lives on in comic books and a new graphic novel that was crowdfunded just last year. Now, a year after Arrow first released its 4K restoration, it's resurfaced as a steelbook release, consolidating its position as a cult classic and an irresistible watch on a dark, cold Halloween night.

It's easy to see why Sam, the mischievous and deadly Halloween imp at the heart of the film, has hung around. Writer-director Michael Dougherty (Krampus) hit on something special when he set out to modernise the portmanteau horror movie format.

It's Halloween night, and the streets of Warren Valley, Ohio, are packed. It's a night, however, when the residents will receive a devastating schooling in the rules of Halloween. Sam, who appears as a child in a sackcloth mask with adorable button eyes, is stalking the neighbourhood, enforcing the contract of trick ‘r treat. Four main stories interconnect, giving Sam the chance to audit the night. Treat you may live, trick you probably won't.

On the way, Sam encounters a couple, Henry and Emma, the latter of whom blows out a jack-o'-lantern before midnight. Then there's the sinister principal Wilkins (Dylan Baker), who laces candy with cyanide and may fancy himself as a vampire. At a nearby quarry, the legend of a bus full of drowned school kids is at the centre of a prank some trick-or-treaters play on Halloween traditionalist Rhonda. In the woods, Laurie (Anna Paquin) tries to keep up with her big sister and friends on one of their biggest nights of the year. Meanwhile, in the house next to Wilkins, the grumpy old loner Kreeg (Brian Cox) falls foul of Sam when he scares off house callers to steal their candy.

Trick ‘r Treat is very watchable. To begin with, Dougherty wrings every last drop of potential from its brilliantly simple concept. It may be inspired by classic anthology movies like Tales from the Crypt (1972), but the idea of a ‘rules enforcer'—especially one who looks so adorable (until the mask's off)—is brilliant. And it's meticulously staged (belieing its relatively modest budget), with an impressive interconnectedness running all the way through that rewards repeated viewings. These aren't just throwaway nods either. The couple who open the film reappear frequently, explaining the awkward and bloody end to their night that kicks things off. Other scenes are replayed from different points of view, or intrude into other strands. It helps that this web snares a brilliantly cast, with well-pitched performances led by Baker, Paquin and Cox who are clearly having a whale of a time.

Trick ‘r Treat also looks stunning. Every shot is beautiful, making the most of the colourful, decorated, and full streets on the spookiest night of the year. In 4K, it really pops, with gorgeous deep-focus fields capturing Halloween lights and glowing orange lanterns. Not just good looking, it also supports the dark comedy in all the tales, as do some impressive practical effects: from severed heads to werewolves to the revealed Sam himself (even if it bleeds pumpkin seeds, can you kill it?).

Then there's the way Trick ‘r Treat celebrates horror movies. POV shots behind the sack mask recall young Michael Myers, and there are direct and appropriate quotes lifted from The Thing. Dougherty fills it with an arch-awareness of the genre and audience expectations that it could feel overloaded, but he gets the tone and balance just right. Similarly, Douglas Pipe's full score is so fantastic that it demands a franchise.

Trick ‘r Treat is an iconic, highly polished and darkly comic production that, rare for a film so attached to a holiday, has it all—a sense of humour, a great cast, some fine creeping dread and not too grizzly, gore and scares. An impressive 4K set like this, with a sack full of special features paying tribute to many of its talented creators, is a sign of its irrepressible march toward the top tier of Halloween movies.

4K Ultra HD Limited Edition Special Features

4K restoration by Arrow Films, approved by writer-director Michael Dougherty
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio commentary by Michael Dougherty, moderated by James A. Janisse and Chelsea Rebecca of the Dead Meat Podcast
Archival audio commentary by Michael Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins and composer Douglas Pipes
Becoming Sam, an interview with actor Quinn Lord
The Devil is in the Details, an interview with production designer Mark Freeborn
If Looks Could Kill, an interview with director of photography Glen MacPherson
Designs to Die for, an interview with costume designer Trish Keating
Bark at the Moon, an interview with creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos
Mark Freeborn Remembers Bill Terezakis, a tribute to the late make-up effects designer
Tales of Folklore & Fright, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty, Breehn Burns and Simeon Wilkins
Tales of Mischief & Mayhem: Filming Trick ‘r Treat, an archival interview with Michael Dougherty on the making of the film
Sounds of Shock & Superstition: Scoring Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Douglas Pipes
Tales of Dread & Despair: Releasing Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Rob Galluzzo of the Shock Waves podcast, exploring the film's release and fandom
Season's Greetings, a short film from 1996 directed by Michael Dougherty with optional director commentary
The Lore and Legends of Halloween, an archival featurette narrated by actor Brian Cox
School bus VFX comparison
Deleted and alternate scenes with optional commentary by Michael Dougherty
FEARnet promos
Sam O'Lantern
Storyboard and conceptual artwork gallery
Behind the scenes gallery
Monster Mash comic book set in the Trick ‘r Treat universe
Trailer
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck
Illustrated collector's booklet featuring writing on the film by Becky Darke and Heather Wixson