The Wonder Years Finally Coming to DVD

Written by Jon Williams

Watching TV shows on DVD is a trend that has really caught on in recent years, and contemporary shows have really taken advantage, with new seasons or complete series usually being released on disc shortly after their initial television run. Did you miss Friday Night Lights or Breaking Bad when they aired (or just want to see them again)? No problem. Do you need to catch up on Game of Thrones or True Blood before the new seasons begin on HBO? You can do that too.

With older shows, it can be a little harder. While a great many have come to DVD over the years, there are plenty that devoted fans are still waiting for. One of the most highly sought-after series that has not yet come to DVD is The Wonder Years, which aired from 1988 to 1993. Starring a young Fred Savage, the show portrayed the trials and tribulations associated with growing up and coming of age in the U.S. in the turbulent 1960s. It explored themes of sibling rivalry, family struggles, first love, and friendship against the backdrop of Vietnam and the space race.

Well, it appears the wait is almost over. It was announced yesterday that Time Life is finally bringing the complete series to disc. Although an official release date has not yet been nailed down, plans are for it to be in “the second half of 2014.” This isn’t the first acclaimed older show that Time Life has brought to DVD—they’re responsible for the recent release of China Beach, among others.

Considering The Wonder Years was a show about youth in the ‘60s, it was only natural that music played a large part in the show. That has contributed to the delay in bringing the show to DVD, as it was necessary to secure rights to all those songs in order to include them in a new release. Time Life is working on that, ensuring that the upcoming DVDs will come with all the music intact—including the theme song, Joe Cocker’s cover of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” originally recorded by the Beatles.

With fans waiting so long for this release, demand is sure to be high. Keep your eye on our website for more information on a release date as it comes available.