Open up a DVD box full of scary monsters

In the early sound era, no studio was more associated with the horror genre than Universal. Dracula, Frankenstein, werewolves, the Mummy and the Invisible Man were such successes — and became such icons of horror — that they have been nicknamed over the years as "the Universal Monsters."

The best of these films and their sequels have been available on DVD for some time now, on individual discs and some double-features. But in its effort to reach out to the DVD-buying public with more affordable collections, Universal Home Video has now packaged the big three — Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man — in box sets that include all the films from each series. (The discs also include all the bonus features that were on the previous DVD releases, plus six-minute featurettes hosted by Stephen Sommers, the director of "Van Helsing," to promote his upcoming film, which features these creatures.)

There are five films each in the Dracula and Frankenstein sets, and four in the Wolf Man set, each retail-priced at $26.98 — which means you can find them in the $20 range. (They are also available in one larger box set, which includes collectible busts of Frankenstein's monster, Dracula and the Wolf Man, retailing at $79.98.)

Included here is "House of Dracula," making its DVD debut. The only film not here is "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein," which is on DVD, and which will no doubt be in a future A&C set with the team's other meetings with monsters.

— "Dracula: The Legacy Collection" (Universal, 1931-45, not rated, b/w, $26.98, two double-sided discs).

• "Dracula" (1931) was the first in Universal's horror effort, and it was a huge success. Bela Lugosi starred, having played the role on stage, and it's easy to see the impact he must have made in 1931. The film itself suffers from silence (no background music and little dialogue), and it drags a bit today. But the alternative musical track (a brilliant score by Philip Glass, performed by the Kronos Quartet) gives it a real boost.

• "Dracula (Spanish)" (1931): This Spanish-language film (with English subtitles) is thought by many to be better than Lugosi's, and it is a fine film in its own right. While the Lugosi film was shot during the day, the same sets were used overnight by a different cast and crew to make this version.

• "Dracula's Daughter" (1936) is a direct sequel to the Lugosi film, as the title character (Gloria Holden) is sort of an anti-vampire, trying, unsuccessfully, to break the spell. Moody, atmospheric and quite enjoyable in its own right.