The winter holidays always mean that DVD packages either get really big — anyone wishing for a hefty set of 90 United Artists movies on 112 discs? — or sell themselves with just a few little words — like "High School Musical 2."

We've scoured the season's offerings and whittled the gift choices to a worthy few:

FOR THE FILM BUFF

1. "Ford at Fox" — More than 20 discs with classic John Ford films, including "My Darling Clementine," "Drums Along the Mohawk," "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Tobacco Road." Retail: $299.98. At Amazon.com: $209.99. (Dec. 4)

2. "Days of Heaven" — Terrence Malick's stunning 1978 visual epic with Richard Gere and Brooke Adams gets the Criterion Collection treatment. (Available now)

3. "Killer of Sheep" — One of the most important films of the 20th century, Charles Burnett's riveting drama is a prime example of American neorealism. (Available now)

4. "Ingmar Bergman: Four Masterworks" — Sweden's most important filmmaker died in July. This package includes terrific examples of his stark views of comedy and drama: "Smiles of a Summer Night," "The Seventh Seal," "The Wild Strawberries" and "The Virgin Spring." Retail: $99.95. At Amazon.com: $74.99. (Dec. 4)

5. "The Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Collection" — Five discs with four energetic classics — "Babes in Arms" (they sing "Good Morning"), "Babes on Broadway," "Girl Crazy" (they sing "I Got Rhythm") and "Strike Up the Band." Retail: $59.92. At Amazon.com: $44.99. (Available now)

6. "Coen Brothers Gift Set" — Seeing "No Country for Old Men" can only juice a movie lover to revisit this collection of five great Coen films: "Fargo," "Miller's Crossing," "Barton Fink," "Raising Arizona" and "Blood Simple." Retail: $49.98. At Amazon.com: $36.99. (Available now)

7. "United Artists 90th Anniversary Prestige Collection" — Who couldn't use 90 more movies? Among the offerings: "Some Like It Hot," "Red River," "The Magnificent Seven," "Midnight Cowboy," "Raging Bull," "The French Lieutenant's Woman," "Paths of Glory," "In the Heat of the Night," "Rocky" and "Hotel Rwanda." Retail: $869.98. At Amazon.com: $608.99. (Dec. 11)

FOR THE FAMILY

8. "Ratatouille" — Pixar's watchable, entertaining, animated kitchen rat comedy/drama is an international hit, earning more than $600 million worldwide. (Available now)

9. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" — Does anyone not know what this is? Most notable for Imelda Staunton's terrific supporting performance. There's also a limited edition gift set that includes all five "Potter" films. (All due Dec. 11)

10. "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" — A serviceable conclusion to the initial trilogy with a maelstrom, sea battles and more pirates than you can count. The two-disc edition's extras include two deleted scenes, a gag reel and several "making of ..." vignettes. (Dec. 4)

FOR THE TV-OBSESSED

11. "Seinfeld — The Complete Series" — Every joke, bowl of cereal, Bubble Boy, Summer of George and this, that and the other on 33 discs. Retail: $283.95. At Amazon.com: $205.99. (Available now)

12. "Everybody Loves Raymond — The Complete Series" — All nine seasons on 44 discs packed into a case shaped like, what else? — a house. Retail: $279.98. At Amazon.com: $144.99. (Available now)

13. "High School Musical 2" — Finally, millions of fans get to see the bonus musical scene where Troy and Sharpay rehearse her Polynesian fantasy song. (Dec. 11)

14. "Saturday Night Live: The Complete Second Season" — The eight discs include not only the sketch comedy but memorable musical performances from Joe Cocker, the Band, George Harrison, the Kinks, Chuck Berry and Tom Waits. Retail: $69.98. At Amazon.com: $45.49. (Dec. 4)

15. "American Gangster —The Complete First Season" — BET's documentary series, narrated by Ving Rhames, looks at the intricacies of African-American gang leaders. Retail: $26.99. At Amazon.com: $19.99. (Available now)

FOR INDIE LOVERS

16. "Waitress" — Keri Russell, her character's unusual but phenomenal pies, and a game Andy Griffith make for pleasant viewing — and an Independent Spirit screenplay nomination for the late Adrienne Shelly. (Available now)

17. "La Vie En Rose" — Marion Cotillard's near-perfect portrayal of outside-the-box Edith Piaf makes her a likely Oscar nominee for best actress. (Available now)

18. "Once" — An art house hit, this affecting semi-musical from Ireland speaks volumes with song and longing. (Dec. 18)

FOR SCI-FIERS

19. "Close Encounters of the Third Kind — 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition" — Steven Spielberg's alien ships dog Richard Dreyfuss again and again in this collection of all three movie versions, plus an interview with the director and "making of ..." documentary. Retail: $39.95. At Amazon.com: $28.99. (Available now)

20. "Blade Runner" — Director Ridley Scott's "final cut" comes in two-disc, four-disc or five-disc packages with extended scenes, some revamped special effects and a futuristic Harrison Ford hunting renegade replicants. (Dec. 18)

FOR THRILLS

21. "The Bourne Ultimatum" — The best action film of the summer is available solo or as a collection with all three films. (Dec. 11)

22. "Eastern Promises" — Viggo Mortensen's big-bad-wolf performance in David Cronenberg's violent Russian-gang drama deserves serious Oscar consideration. (Dec. 26)

23. "James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set" — More than 40 discs with 21 Bond films from Sean Connery's "Dr. No" to Daniel Craig's "Casino Royale," plus another 21 discs of special features. Retail: $289.98. At Amazon.com: $187.99. (Available now)

FOR LAUGHS

24. "Superbad" — One of summer's better comedies (the other was certainly "Knocked Up") about lifelong guy friends (Michael Cera and Jonah Hill), high school, alcohol and a hope to land some girls. (Dec. 4)

25. "The Simpsons Movie" — Homer, his new pig (Sir Oinks A-Lot) and an environmental crisis in Springfield. (Dec. 18)