I recently read an article in the Los Angeles Times titled “DVDs are the new vinyl records: Why Gen Z is embracing physical media” and my heart thrilled a little. It focuses on young people who have no memories of renting movies from Blockbuster, who grew up in the era of streaming, and who eagerly seek out physical media because they are disillusioned with streaming.
In addition to the paralyzing indecision (or subscription fatigue) I noted as part of the impetus for our Year of the DVD, these cinephiles view renting and purchasing DVDs as a subversive act. One noted, “If something gets deleted off an online platform, I will still be able to watch it because I have a physical copy…It feels really precious to be able to own things physically and not be at the mercy of studios’ financial decisions.”
Another added, “At this point, I’m forced to have six different subscriptions, which is insane, and I still can’t find what I want to watch…Why am I paying this much for them to give me a movie for a year and take it away?” That same user also described a sensation that is probably familiar to many of you: the frustration of “spending an hour scrolling through Netflix to find something and then just turning on the same TV show.”
At this point, I’m forced to have six different subscriptions, which is insane, and I still can’t find what I want to watch…Why am I paying this much for them to give me a movie for a year and take it away?
-LA Times
In July of 2025, the New York Times ran a similar article, “When Streaming Won’t Cut It and You Need the DVD” (NYT subscription required). In addition to the growing awareness that you don’t really own the digital things you supposedly own, that those things can be edited or deleted at any time (note: this is not unique to movies; readers who purchased the e-book of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” had their books automatically updated with edits and changes in 2023), the article points out the difference in quality between streaming and physical media.
Streaming files are highly compressed to increase data speed, compromising the picture and sound. Thus, your HD streaming experience is not actually HD and you may not feel as surrounded by your surround sound.
There are also many, MANY films that are not available to stream at all (and yes, there are streaming only titles too, unfortunately). If you’re looking for a particular title, I can’t promise that we have it in our collection. But we might. And if we don’t, we can try to get it for you from another library. In addition, DVDs of new movies often come out while the films are still in the theatre or while they are in the expensive rental on streaming phase.
We do our best to get those titles as soon as they become available, meaning you can enjoy them with just your Library card. No targeted ads, no suggestions from the algorithm. Just great picture quality, great sound, and don’t forget the bonus features!
See you at the Library movie section!
-Susan
