List of Family Guy home video releases

The home video releases of the American adult animated sitcom Family Guy comprise a variety of DVD and Blu-ray editions, including individual season sets, multi-volume compilations, complete series collections spanning up to 14 seasons, and direct-to-video specials such as the 2005 film Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story and the Star Wars parody episodes (Blue Harvest, Something, Something, Something, Dark Side, and It's a Trap!).^[1][2][3] These releases, primarily for regions 1, 2, and 4, were distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and feature uncensored episodes of the series, which follows the Griffin family in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island. The inaugural release, Family Guy: Volume 1, arrived on April 15, 2003, as a four-disc set containing all 28 episodes from seasons 1 and 2, along with special features including eight audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and promotional clips.^[4] Subsequent volumes, such as Volume 2 through Volume 14, followed annually through the mid-2010s, often bundling episodes from later seasons with bonus content like behind-the-scenes featurettes and cast interviews.^[5] Complete collections, including The Complete Seasons 1-11 (November 7, 2011) and The Complete Seasons 1-14 (November 10, 2014), consolidated earlier volumes for collectors, while themed anthologies like The Freakin' Sweet Collection (December 14, 2004) highlighted popular episodes.^[6][7][8] Notable direct-to-video productions include Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, an 88-minute special released on September 27, 2005, which explores Stewie's quest for his biological father and was later broadcast on television as three episodes.^[1] The Family Guy Star Wars parodies, released between 2007 and 2010, reimagine episodes from seasons 6, 8, and 9 as homages to A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, available in both standard and Blu-ray formats with digital copies.^[2][3] After Disney's 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox, physical home video releases ceased after season 17 (as of 2025), with later seasons shifting focus to digital and streaming platforms, though earlier sets remain widely available.^[9][10]

Season releases

Region 1 (U.S. and Canada)

The home video releases of Family Guy in Region 1 (U.S. and Canada) began with DVD sets under the "Volume" branding for early seasons, transitioning to individual season sets and eventually Blu-ray formats. These releases, distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, featured uncut episodes not censored for broadcast, allowing for the inclusion of original content such as additional profanity and violence. The sets typically included 2 to 4 discs per season, with episode counts varying based on production and broadcast schedules, such as 7 episodes in season 1 and 22 in season 17.^[11] The following table summarizes the season box set releases: The transition to Blu-ray began with the Volume 9 release on December 13, 2011, offering high-definition upgrades that enhanced the animation's clarity compared to standard DVD, along with exclusive features such as extended deleted scenes not available on prior DVD editions.^[19] Subsequent seasons from 10 onward were simultaneously released in both formats, with Blu-ray versions often including additional content like behind-the-scenes featurettes.^[11] Complete series box sets were introduced to consolidate earlier volumes, starting with the 28-disc DVD/Blu-ray set for seasons 1-8, released on October 30, 2012, which remastered content for improved quality and included all uncut episodes from those seasons.^[20] Later mega-sets expanded this, such as the 58-disc collection for seasons 1-14 in 2014 and the 70-disc set for seasons 1-17 released in 2020, providing comprehensive archives up to the final physical season. No official physical releases have occurred for seasons 18 and later as of November 2025, with distribution shifting to digital and streaming platforms.^[11] Physical releases discontinued after season 17 due to The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in March 2019, shifting focus to digital distribution for later seasons like 18-23.^[21] Unique to Region 1 releases, special features consistently included audio commentaries by creator Seth MacFarlane across every season set, offering insights into production decisions, alongside extras like animatic sequences and cast interviews that enriched viewer understanding of the show's satirical style.^[22] These elements distinguished the North American editions by emphasizing creator involvement and uncensored access.^[5]

Region 2 (UK and Ireland) and Region 4 (Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico)

In Region 2 (UK and Ireland) and Region 4 (Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico), Family Guy season box sets on DVD and Blu-ray followed a release schedule typically delayed 6-18 months after Region 1 counterparts, reflecting distribution priorities for international markets and adaptations to PAL video standards. These regions utilized PAL formatting for DVDs up to season 17, which ensured compatibility with local television systems but occasionally affected playback speed and frame rates compared to NTSC-based Region 1 releases. Packaging often featured region-specific artwork, such as vibrant, character-focused covers in Australia emphasizing Stewie Griffin or Peter Griffin antics, and included extras like region-locked subtitles in English, French, and Spanish for broader accessibility in Oceania and Europe.^[23][24] DVD releases began with season 1 on November 24, 2003, in the UK, a two-disc set containing all 7 episodes from the U.S. broadcast order, packaged with commentary tracks and deleted scenes tailored for European audiences. In Australia, the season 1 DVD arrived slightly later on March 10, 2004, with unique cover art highlighting the Griffin family in a beach setting to appeal to local humor, and bundled extras including region-locked subtitles not available in other editions. Subsequent seasons maintained this pattern, with delays averaging 12 months; for instance, season 13 DVD released on June 9, 2014, in the UK and May 14, 2014, in Australia, each as three-disc sets covering 22 episodes with runtime totals around 495 minutes, including audio commentaries and featurettes on animation processes. By season 17 (U.S. numbering; UK Season 19), releases occurred in 2019, such as the UK edition on December 9, 2019, featuring three discs for 22 episodes and a total runtime of approximately 495 minutes, though print runs were limited due to shifting consumer preferences toward streaming. The Australian release for U.S. Season 17 occurred on November 8, 2017. Blu-ray introductions in these regions lagged behind Region 1 by several years, prioritizing DVD formats initially due to slower adoption of high-definition media. The first major Blu-ray set, covering seasons 1-3, launched in the UK on October 25, 2010, as a nine-disc collection with 1080p video, Dolby TrueHD audio, and enhanced extras like extended cutaways, totaling over 1,100 minutes of content; this PAL-encoded release impacted NTSC compatibility but offered sharper visuals for European players. In Australia, similar Blu-ray sets for early seasons appeared around 2011, with region-locked features emphasizing 5.1 surround sound mixes suited to home theater setups common in the region. PAL vs. NTSC differences meant occasional playback issues on multi-region devices, such as minor color shifts or speed variations, prompting some consumers to seek unlocked players. Combined Region 2/4 sets, like the "Complete Seasons 1-5" released in 2010 across the UK and Australia, spanned 15 discs with 92 episodes and a total runtime of approximately 2,070 minutes, including bonus discs for uncut episodes and runtime totals printed on packaging for collector appeal.^[25][26] Following Disney's 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox, physical releases for seasons 15-17 remained available but in limited runs, with UK and Australian editions printed in smaller quantities to test market demand amid rising digital alternatives; for example, season 15 DVD in Australia on November 8, 2017 (pre-acquisition but distributed post-merger), included three discs for 18 episodes. No official physical releases occurred for seasons 18 and beyond in these regions as of November 2025, shifting focus to digital platforms, though alignment with U.S. episode orders persisted in any remaining stock. This marked a decline in comprehensive box sets, prioritizing conceptual collections over exhaustive numerical details like exact disc counts for later volumes.^[27][28][29]

Non-seasonal releases

Special episodes

The first direct-to-video special for Family Guy was Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, released on DVD on September 27, 2005, by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.^[1] This 88-minute feature, structured as a three-part narrative, follows Stewie Griffin, the infant genius of the Griffin family, who encounters a vision of his future self and embarks on a cross-country quest to uncover his true origins after spotting a man on television who resembles him, leading to humorous and chaotic revelations about his identity and family. Originally produced as an uncensored standalone film with exclusive animation sequences, including a fictional red carpet premiere intro, it premiered directly on home video before being edited into three episodes ("Stewie B. Goode," "Stu & Stewie's Excellent Adventure," and "The Heartbreak Dog") for broadcast as the final installments of season 4 in 2006.^[32] The single-disc DVD offered both censored and uncensored audio tracks, along with special features such as an audio commentary by creator Seth MacFarlane, a behind-the-scenes featurette on the production, deleted scenes, and a sneak peek at the then-upcoming series American Dad!.^[32] Subsequent re-releases integrated the special into broader collections, including a 2006 edition with Volume 4 (released November 14, 2006), where the content appeared as the three TV-edited episodes without the film's unique framing. It has been included in later complete series collections, preserving the episode versions. Another notable standalone special release was the holiday-themed episode "Road to the North Pole," a double-length installment from season 9 that aired on television on December 12, 2010, before receiving an exclusive single-disc DVD on November 7, 2011, sold only at f.y.e. stores.^[33] Running approximately 47 minutes in its uncut form, the episode depicts Brian and Stewie's disastrous journey to the North Pole to confront Santa Claus, revealing a dark twist on holiday traditions amid the Griffins' dysfunctional Christmas preparations.^[34] This DVD edition featured the full, unedited version with restored censored content, audio commentary by the writers, and minimal extras focused on holiday-themed deleted scenes, distinguishing it from its inclusion in the season 9 DVD set later that year.^[33]

Compilations

Compilations of Family Guy home video releases consist of standalone DVD sets featuring curated selections of episodes from multiple seasons, often organized around themes such as holidays or creator favorites, rather than full season volumes. These releases typically include 3 to 20 episodes per set, with bonus features like audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and featurettes, and were primarily distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in Region 1 (U.S. and Canada). Unlike seasonal box sets, they highlight specific motifs or highlights to appeal to collectors seeking targeted content. As of 2025, no additional non-seasonal physical releases have been issued, with focus shifting to streaming platforms. One of the earliest compilations is The Freakin' Sweet Collection, released on December 14, 2004, which features five episodes hand-picked by series creator Seth MacFarlane from the first three seasons: "Death Has a Shadow" (season 1), "I Never Met the Dead Man" (season 1), "Chitty Chitty Death Bang" (season 2), "Road to Rhode Island" (season 2, including the uncensored Osama bin Laden scene), and "Lethal Weapons" (season 3). This single-disc set runs approximately 115 minutes and includes extras such as four audio commentaries (one in-character by Stewie), deleted scenes, and an advance look at the direct-to-video film Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story.^[8][35] In 2013, Fox released Ho-Ho-Holy Crap!: The Family Guy Christmas Collection, a single-disc holiday-themed set compiling the episodes "Jesus, Mary & Joseph!" (season 12) and "Turkey Guy" (season 11) centered on Christmas and Thanksgiving. The set also bundles a bonus episode from American Dad!, "Season's Beatings" (season 3), for crossover appeal, with a total runtime of about 90 minutes and minimal extras focused on festive behind-the-scenes clips. This compilation emphasizes the show's satirical take on holiday traditions and family dysfunction.^[36] To mark the series' 20th anniversary, Family Guy's 20 Greatest Hits was issued on January 8, 2019, as a three-disc set selecting 20 episodes rich in musical and dance elements, spanning seasons 1 through 17. Examples include "Road to the Multiverse" (season 8), "Brian Writes a Bestseller" (season 9), and "Yug Ylimaf" (season 13), totaling over 13 hours of content. Extras comprise a new featurette on the show's musical legacy, deleted scenes, and cast interviews, positioning it as a celebratory "best-of" without a strict theme beyond performance highlights.^[37]

Anthologies

The anthologies section of Family Guy home video releases focuses on collected editions of parody-themed episodes, primarily the Star Wars parody trilogy, packaged as boxed sets for fans of the show's satirical takes on popular franchises. These releases compile episodes originally aired as specials within their respective seasons, emphasizing the series' humorous reinterpretations of iconic narratives through the Griffin family's lens.^[40] The trilogy box set "Laugh It Up, Fuzzball" was released on December 21, 2010, in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, containing the three episodes on three discs with a total runtime of approximately 159 minutes.^[3] The individual episodes were first released separately: "Blue Harvest" on DVD January 15, 2008, parodying Star Wars: A New Hope from season 5; "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" on DVD December 22, 2009, parodying The Empire Strikes Back from season 8; and "It's a Trap!" on DVD December 21, 2010, parodying Return of the Jedi from season 9.^[41][42][43] Special features in the box set include audio commentaries by creator Seth MacFarlane, trivia pop-ups, table reads, and bonus content such as deleted scenes.^[40] These episodes feature voice cast parodies, with Seth MacFarlane voicing multiple roles including Peter Griffin as Han Solo and Lois Griffin as Princess Leia, alongside guest stars like Carrie Fisher in "It's a Trap!".^[44] The anthology has been re-released as part of larger complete series collections, maintaining its focus on the serialized Star Wars saga parody without additional parody-themed boxed sets in other franchises.^[45]

Other formats

VHS releases

The VHS releases of Family Guy were limited to the United Kingdom market, where 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment issued season sets in analog tape format prior to the widespread adoption of DVD. These releases targeted early seasons of the show and featured minimal special features, such as basic episode selection menus and no audio commentaries, reflecting the transitional period from VHS to digital optical media around 2003–2006. Unlike later DVD volumes, VHS editions did not include full season compilations in a single box set and were formatted in PAL for European compatibility, with episodes edited for tape length and commercials removed. Production ceased as DVD sales dominated, with no equivalent full releases in the US, where the show transitioned directly to DVD for home video in 2003.^[46][47][48] The initial VHS release, Family Guy: Season One, arrived on November 12, 2001, comprising 2 tapes that collected all 7 episodes from the show's debut season ("Death Has a Shadow" through "Brian in Love"). Each tape held approximately 3–4 episodes, divided across sides A and B for optimal playback time of about 120 minutes per tape, and was priced at around £19.99 MSRP for the set. Special features were absent, focusing solely on the core content in standard PAL format with closed captioning. This volume introduced UK audiences to the series during its original run, before the 2002 cancellation.^[46] Family Guy: Season Two followed on January 27, 2003, spanning 3 tapes for its 21 episodes ("Holy Crap" to "Fore, Father"). Tapes were structured with 6–8 episodes per volume, using flip-side playback to accommodate the longer season, and retailed for approximately £24.99. The release coincided with growing cult popularity in the UK, but lacked extras like behind-the-scenes material, emphasizing straightforward episode access in NTSC/PAL hybrid compatibility for international viewers.^[47] Subsequent volumes continued the pattern, with Family Guy: Season Three released on March 29, 2004, across 4 tapes containing 22 episodes ("The Thin White Line" to "Family Guy Viewer Mail #1"). Episodes were grouped thematically where possible, with each tape running 90–120 minutes and sold for £29.99, marking one of the last major VHS efforts as DVD versions of the same content launched simultaneously. Family Guy: Season Four was released on April 24, 2006, as a VHS/DVD set covering the full season, though VHS details are limited due to the format's decline by this time. These releases highlighted the show's revival buzz but offered no remastered audio or bonus content, paving the way for DVD dominance by late 2004.^[48][49]

UMD releases

The Universal Media Disc (UMD) format was developed by Sony specifically for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console, which launched in North America in March 2005, enabling portable video playback of television content like Family Guy during the format's brief viability from 2005 to 2007.^[50] Family Guy UMD releases, distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, focused on early seasons and specials, offering compressed video optimized for the PSP's 480x272 pixel display resolution, encoded at 720x480 in H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for compatibility, though lacking the full suite of DVD extras such as audio commentaries in some cases.^[51][52] These titles were priced affordably for portable media, typically around $19.99 per volume or $29.98 for singles, reflecting the UMD's aim to provide on-the-go entertainment amid the PSP's initial push into multimedia.^[53] Key UMD releases included season compilations and standalone specials, with content overlapping DVD versions but adapted for the disc's 1.8 GB capacity per UMD, resulting in multi-disc sets for full seasons. The first major release was the direct-to-video special Family Guy Presents: Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story on September 27, 2005, as a single UMD containing the 88-minute feature comprising three episodes with additional bridging scenes.^[53][54] This was followed by Family Guy: Volume 1 – Seasons 1 & 2 on November 29, 2005, a five-UMD set covering all 28 episodes from the show's first two seasons.^[55][56] In 2006, Family Guy: The Freakin' Sweet Collection arrived on May 9 as a single UMD featuring five handpicked episodes from seasons 1–3, selected by creator Seth MacFarlane for their humor and popularity.^[57] Later that year, Family Guy: Volume 2 – Season 3 was issued on September 19, 2006, as a four-UMD set with all 22 episodes from the third season.^[55][58] These releases totaled approximately five distinct UMD titles, emphasizing portability over high-fidelity features, with no deleted scenes or director commentaries on most discs to conserve space.^[59] Production halted after 2007 as the UMD format failed commercially due to high costs, limited capacity, and competition from digital downloads, leading studios like Fox to withdraw support by late 2006.^[50][60] Today, these physical UMDs remain collectible but are largely obsolete, with PSP owners turning to digital rips or modern streaming for access to the same content.

Digital releases

Digital releases of Family Guy represent the primary home video format for later seasons, emphasizing downloads, purchases, and streaming following the discontinuation of physical media after Season 17. These options provide access to all 23 seasons as of November 2025, with uncut episodes available through various platforms and high-definition upgrades for seasons produced in HD format.^[61] iTunes and Apple TV+ offer digital purchases for individual episodes, seasons, or bundles, starting with Season 1 made available in 2005. Full seasons up to 23 are accessible, with HD versions beginning from Season 8 onward due to the show's transition to high-definition production. For instance, Season 23 is priced at $39.99 for purchase, while earlier seasons like Season 10 are available for $9.99. Season 21's digital release occurred on September 27, 2022, and Season 22 followed on October 2, 2023.^{[62][63][64][65][66]} Amazon Prime Video and Vudu (now Fandango at Home) enable episode rentals or purchases, often featuring uncut versions not aired on broadcast television. Pricing typically ranges from $1.99 for standard-definition episodes to $2.99 for HD, with full seasons available for buy. Season 18 debuted digitally on these platforms on September 30, 2019, providing immediate access post-broadcast. Specials like Family Guy: It's a Trap! are sold for $14.99 in HD.^{[67][61][68][69]} Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 integrated Family Guy into its streaming ecosystem, with all seasons added to Disney+ on November 13, 2019. New episodes from Season 23 began streaming the day after their Fox premiere on February 16, 2025, via Disney+ and Hulu. The platform supports ad-free viewing through premium tiers, and mobile apps facilitate on-the-go access, including exclusives like the 2025 Halloween special released on October 6.^{[70][71][72][73]} Seasons 18–23 are digital-exclusive, with no corresponding physical releases, reflecting industry trends toward streaming. Digital bundles, such as multi-season packs on iTunes, have been offered—for example, Seasons 21 and 22 combined for $39.99 in early 2025—while complete series options span platforms like Amazon for ongoing purchases.^[61][74]