First Blu-ray films due in May

The first wave of Blu-ray films will include Crash, Lord of War, The Punisher, Saw and Terminator 2

Film studio Lions Gate has announced plans to release 10 titles on the next-generation high-definition Blu-ray DVD standard to coincide with the arrival of the first commercial Blu-ray players in stores.

The first wave of titles, available on 23 May, will include Crash and Lord of War, priced at $39.99, and The Punisher, Saw and Terminator 2: Judgment Day priced at $29.99.

Five additional titles will follow shortly after with a June/July date still to be determined, including Reservoir Dogs, Total Recall, Stargate and Dune priced at $29.99, while The Devil's Rejects will be available at $39.99.

Lions Gate president Steve Beeks said that Blu-ray is one of many digital advances expected to create new revenue streams for existing library products.

The company plans to follow this announcement with an additional wave of Blu-ray titles in the coming months.

Lions Gate will continue to make available new releases and popular catalogue titles from its library throughout 2006.

Sony Pictures is also expected to make a number of titles available for release on 23 May, and Samsung is expected to deliver the first Blu-ray disc player at around the same time.