The indie success story of the year is for a movie you maybe haven’t heard of: “Hundreds of Beavers.”
Director Mike Cheslik’s film is a black-and-white, silent, slapstick comedy about a fur trapper and his battles with literally hundreds of dudes dressed in beaver costumes. And despite no formal distribution and a shoestring budget, it has developed a passionate cult following as one of the more talked about films of 2024.
But if you’ve missed one of “Hundreds of Beavers’” vaudeville theatrical screenings/beaver-wrestling matches, you haven’t lost out on the chance to become part of “The Beaverati.”
“Hundreds of Beavers” is set to be released as a special edition Blu-ray via the specialty DVD distributor Vinegar Syndrome, Cartuna, and OCN Distribution, IndieWire can reveal exclusively. The film’s Blu-ray edition will go live for pre-orders on December 3, and it will be available through purchase via Vinegar Syndrome on December 28 before being released wider on January 28. You can see the first look at the DVD’s nifty slipcover artwork above.
“Ever since our first screening, folks have been demanding we produce a high quality Blu-ray despite our numerous pleas that we much rather hang out in a bar,” producer/co-writer/star Ryland Erickson Cole Tews said in a statement on behalf of the “Beavers” team. “However, after sobering up, we realized we owed it to our amazing legions of fans to give them what they deserve. And now, at long last, we are thrilled to announce our beaver scientists have done it!”
Tews said the Blu-ray is “jam-packed with more goodies than Mother Teresa’s Christmas stocking,” and it includes “everything you ever wanted to know but probably didn’t need to know” about “Hundreds of Beavers.”
Among those special features are deleted scenes, commercials and promos, a gallery of One Hundred Photos for the hundreds of beavers, and three different audio commentaries. Those include the “Sober Commentary,” a “Drunk Commentary,” and the “Trashed Commentary,” which is a moderated discussion — though very much still under the influence.
Participating in those commentaries are Cheslik, Tews, cast members/costumed beaver mascots Eric West, Daniel Long, and Jay Brown, and ADR sound mixer Evan Chudnow. They also feature guest appearances by assistant editor Jerry Kurek, cinematographer Quinn Hester, and another mascot Mike Wesolowski.
There’s more. The Blu-ray specials break down the VFX and sound design by Bobb Barito, and fans will get a chance to watch the short film Cheslik made in high school, “Blink.” There’s a recap of the film’s Great Lakes Road Show, which will show highlights from screenings around the Midwest. The Blu-ray has three different podcast and radio interviews with Cheslik and Tews, and even includes a lyrics video for the film’s rousing opening song, “Jean Kayak & His Acme Applejack.”
“It’s been quite a wild sleigh ride self-releasing the film this year, and we’re proud to present what we consider the definitive version of the movie,” Tews added. “Enjoy!”
It truly has been a ride for “Hundreds of Beavers,” one that indie producers want to use as a roadmap to recreate its success. The film premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2022, and it started building up a following after playing 50 different film festivals throughout 2023. But no theatrical distributor emerged.
“Hundreds of Beavers” first hit public theaters in January 2024 as part of the self-distributed Great Lakes Road Show, a 14-day tour across the Midwest with live Q&As and comedy skit moments in addition to the screening. The producers targeted Midwestern states (Cheslik is originally from Wisconsin) before expanding it to the coasts, and the tactical approach paid off. To date, “Hundreds of Beavers” has grossed over $700,000 at the box office and continues to host event screenings across the country.
The film follows applejack salesman Jean Kayak who, after beavers destroy his orchard and brewery, leave him wandering the wilderness fighting for his survival. We see Kayak struggling to trap wildlife like rabbits, squirrels, and beavers — all of whom are guys dressed up in cartoonish animal costumes — before he finally becomes a master fur trader who must collect enough beaver furs to win the affection of a shopkeeper’s lovely daughter.
“Hundreds of Beavers” is already available for digital rental or purchase via Amazon Prime Video or the Apple Store, or you can find a list of upcoming live screenings here.
