Hammer Festive Faves, and Looking Back on 2025
2025 has been a unique year for Hammer Films. Its Limited Collector's Edition range really kicked in with 4K restorations of classics including The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), alongside previously neglected gems like Whispering Smith Hits London (1952) and Blood Orange (1953). Each title in the collection was accompanied by a raft of bespoke new material, from specially shot featurettes to lavishly illustrated booklets.
There were cinema screenings for some of these titles, and Hammer went on the road to meet fans and get involved in various events, both here in the UK and at overseas festivals. Even the amount of merch on offer has expanded as the online shop now offers everything from caps and calendars to posters, vinyl and CDs.
After free stuff? 2025 had you covered with literally dozens of ongoing, in-depth online features that explore all things Hammer, from its earliest years to the present day.
December even brought the exciting news of a brand new range, Hammer Presents, rounding off a busy 12 months on something of a high.
Throughout the year we’ve chatted to Hammer’s Steve Rogers about restorations, releases, new projects, support material and much more. But for our last conversation of 2025 we visited Hammer Towers, threw another log on the roaring open fire, and had a quick catch-up about the year gone by and festive favourites…
The two Hammer movies starring Brian Donlevy as Quatermass were both restored in 2025 and released as part of the Limited Collector's Edition range.
Hammer News: Hello! It’s our last conversation of the year! So, as we’re nearing the end of December, I’d like to ask you about the past twelve months. What have been your 2025 highlights?
Steve Rogers: Mainly working with such a talented group of contributors who gave 100% because they were working on a Hammer release. And the Frankenstein West End premiere was massive amounts of fun. And brainstorming what’s coming next year – that was cool.
HN: What’s been your favourite release of the year?
SR: It’s a cliche, but I have to say The Curse of Frankenstein. If you have to ask why then you’ve not been paying attention.
Over 60 years after its debut, the iconic The Curse of Frankenstein once again thrilled West End audiences in 2025.
HN: In terms of the Limited Collector’s Edition range, has anything surprised you, or come out of the blue?
SR: Lots of things! How much fun Shatter was (most people who condemn it have never seen it). How superb Tom Conway and Naomi Chance were in Blood Orange. The unbelievable clarity of The Man in Black restoration (a film made in 1949). How cool pretty much everything was about Wolfshead. I could make a big list.
HN: And this is more of a festive question, but if someone has a friend who’s interested in Hammer movies (but has never knowingly seen one), and they want to take a look at one of this year’s releases, which would you recommend as a Christmas prezzy?
SR: Assuming this "someone’s friend" will, by the time they watch this film, have flopped on the sofa in a turkey-and-advocaat coma I would suggest The Men of Sherwood Forest. It’s as much fun as it is thrilling, is easy on the eye and you don’t have to think too hard to keep up with the plot.
The release of Peter Cushing’s final feature for Hammer shattered certain expectations…
HN: And along those lines, could you give us a couple of horror film recommendations for the festive period, please? One from our recent feature, Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas, and a second that’s one of your personal favourites. They don’t have to be Christmas-themed, but should simply feel right for this time of year!
SR: There's no choice – it would have to be The Plague of the Zombies. I can think of no better festive companion from your list than André Morell: impeccable style, a great wardrobe and deft hand with a spade. Perfect.
As for one not on your list, it would be Scrooge. Alistair Sim may look like a cadaverous zombie himself, but his journey from "covetous, grasping old sinner" to full redemption is a literal joy to behold and the last five minutes are cinematic magic. "You, boy! What day is this?". We all know what day it is and we're there for it every year. For ever.
Teleport now! Jacqueline Pearce is undead and deadly in The Plague of the Zombies.
HN: Good call! And following on from that choice, a final festive question for the year… If by using some A Christmas Carol-like powers you could summon up three figures from Hammer’s past, and have them materialise for half an hour on December 25th for a chat over sherry and a mince pie, which three people would you choose?
SR: Too many choices – three is not enough. But, were these powers ever bestowed on me and I had to choose then it would be Cushing, Ollie Reed and Barbara Shelley. Ollie would obviously bring his own tipple, but I'm sure the other two would be a calming influence for half an hour. And we would talk about Christmasses yet to come while raising a glass to those gone by. It would be perfect.
‘Hammer was like a family, a very talented family…’ – Barbara Shelley (seen here in 1966’s Dracula, Prince of Darkness) recalling fond memories of her time with the studio.
We’ll be catching up soon to discuss what fans can look forward to in 2026, but for now, Steve, thanks for all the time you’ve given Hammer News this past year.
Finally… If you’re looking for ideas about which horror movies to enjoy over the holidays, you can check-out some suggestions in Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas. Or if you’ve caught any of the Carry On films that are on every year over the seasonal period, you could find out more about their leading man at How to Become Sid James in 7 Easy Lessons.
And what’s Christmas without a quiz? Put your film knowledge to the test (if you dare!) with The Huge Hammer Quiz: The 1950s. We’ve got lots of features you might like to catch up on, but if you’ve got a little more spare time than usual you could read our in-depth looks at how Hammer introduced ‘their’ Dracula in his opening scene, and compare that to the Count’s final farewell. Want a Q&A with a difference? Revisit our surprising conversation with Baron Frankenstein himself!
Or if you just fancy spending time with some Hammer luminaries, head on over to our deep dives that cover individual stars like Ursula Andress, Barbara Payton, and Terence Fisher.
Thanks for joining us throughout 2025, have a great Christmas, and here’s to a Happy New Year!
