The crew of the Nantucket whaleship Essex deserved better, both on the ocean and in critics’ circles. Ron Howard and Chris Hemsworth take us back to the doomed 19th-century vessel and real-life inspiration for “Moby-Dick’’ with “In the Heart of the Sea’’ (2015), their adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick’s best-selling historical tome. During its multiplex run, the movie was generally faulted for wooden, silly drama more than anything to do with its Moby-like-you’ve-never-seen-’im visuals. But for us, it’s often just the opposite: Howard relies too heavily on hit-and-miss digital effects, particularly when some of the human conflict and struggle is so intriguing. Take the friction between the ship’s first mate, Owen Chase (Hemsworth), and the captain, George Pollard (Benjamin Walker, “The Choice’’). Chase is a self-possessed, employer-exploited Nantucket transplant born to sail, while Pollard is a haughty if decent island scion who was simply born into it. This isn’t a tale of mutiny, but the dynamics of keeping the ship afloat — or not — amid such tension are revealingly dramatized. Extras: Production featurettes cover the requisite ground, but the noteworthy bonus is the half-hour documentary “Lightning Strikes Twice: The Real-Life Sequel to ‘Moby Dick.’?’’ The segment further explores Pollard’s surprising story, with Philbrick and others discussing a second shipwreck he suffered, an episode briefly referenced before the feature’s end credits. Watch as archeological divers in a remote corner of the Hawaiian Islands examine harpoon tips and other artifacts to make the determination that they’ve discovered Pollard’s wreck. And marvel at the doc’s ocean imagery — none of it computer-generated. (Warner, $28.98; Blu-ray, $35.99; 3-D, $44.95)

ANIMATION

THE PEANUTS MOVIE (2015)

This 3-D animated update focuses on re-creating classic bits and sticking to a gently familiar episodic story line rather than something more fully, ambitiously developed. But it’s certainly a very pleasing reminder of why we love “Peanuts.’’ The main thread involves Charlie Brown (Noah Schapp) dealing with his crush on a new neighbor — a little red-haired girl, of course. Snoopy’s World War I flying ace also gets a lot of screen time, as the movie gets wrapped up in dazzling aerial visuals. Extras: Half a dozen new “Snoopy Snippets’’ shorts; documentary on Charles Schulz and his beloved strip; drawing tutorials. (Fox, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.99; 3-D, $49.99)

GOTHIC HORROR

VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN (2015)

Director Paul McGuigan (“Sherlock’’) attempts to reanimate Frankenstein mythology by playing up Igor (Daniel Radcliffe), making him more of a legit partner to James McAvoy’s mad doctor rather than a dim-bulb, circus-freaky underling. (The hunchback does, though, get a circus-performer love interest: Jessica Brown Findlay, Sybil on “Downton Abbey.’’) The movie is over the top in ways you’ll wish it wasn’t, but it’s a chance to see some interesting casting picks play in Mary Shelley’s world — not just Radcliffe and McAvoy, but also Charles Dance and Andrew Scott (Moriarty on “Sherlock’’). Extras: featurettes; deleted scenes. (Fox, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.99)

Titles are in stores Tuesday. Tom Russo can be reached at trusso2222@gmail.com.