But now it seems, at least based on US sales figures, that so-called Gen Z - those born between 1997 and 2012, often called zoomers - have discovered a historical relic: DVD movies.
According to the Los Angeles Times report, young people's renewed interest in that ancient optical video format dug out from the corners of history is quite significant.
The surge in interest is not large enough to put DVD movie sales back on a growth trajectory. But we are now seeing the first signs that the nearly completely collapsed DVD market has at least slowed its downward spiral.
Sales of physical movies overall - including Blu-ray titles - have plummeted by 93 percent since their peak year in 2005. The year 2024 was the first time in the United States that physical movie sales fell below one billion dollars.
There are several explanations for the renewed interest in DVD films. First, movies now disappear from streaming services quite easily, and sometimes you run into situations where a specific film is not available on any streaming platform at any price.
Another clear reason is the feeling of ownership: you own a DVD movie, and you do not have to pay a monthly fee for it. And a third reason is also financial - DVDs can be found almost for free at flea markets and online marketplaces, while streaming services have raised their prices year after year.
But rentals of physical movies (which also include high-definition Blu-rays) are also seeing a small resurgence. In many countries video rental stores no longer exist at all, but in major US cities they can still be found - and now younger audiences are finding their way to them.
The trend is not limited to rental movies or thrift-store DVD finds. New high-definition Blu-ray releases are also selling better than before - particularly premium editions such as Criterion Collection Blu-rays.
Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 26 Feb 2026 10:03
