Hey there movie lovers! We’ve got some news for you. 2024 seems to be a challenging year for your beloved physical media. Sadly, the big retailers, like Best Buy, are saying goodbye to DVDs and Blu-Rays on their shelves. But not all hope is lost. Walmart is now stocking the stuff that Best Buy isn’t. So, steelbooks that use to be Best Buy’s are now at Walmart. Pretty cool, right?
But, hang on a minute! It’s not all fun and games at Walmart. Have any of you had a bad day at the store, coming home with items that got a little beat up? Yup, that’s right. Security measures aren’t always a win-win. And if you’re thinking Amazon might be better, think again. Pricing problems make this a tough game for us too. But don’t worry we’re in this together.
The Charm of Boutique Labels
Guys, I can’t help myself. I’m a big fan of boutique labels like Scream Factory, Arrow Video, and Vestron Video. They have some killer releases that just blow my mind. For die-hard fans of niche films, hearing that The Guyver is coming out in 4K is super thrilling. But let’s face it, awesome comes with a heavy price tag.
The Trouble with Streaming Costs
Here’s another problem, the cost of streaming. It seems like every time we blink, the prices to stream movies have gone up. And now they’re even cracking down on password sharing which isn’t great news for us. Switching to physical media isn’t a piece of cake either. A bare-minimum 4K Ultra HD Blu Ray player will set you back by a whopping $200. Ouch!
The Good Old Days of Affordable Movies
I remember the days when brand new movies had a price tag of just $19.99. On release week, you could nab one for around 15 bucks. Not anymore! Now, it’s tough to find a new Blu-Ray release for less than $25. And a new 4K release? Brace yourself, it could set you back by more than $30.
Bargain Bins Becoming Less Appealing
Even the once-loved bargain bins aren’t helping much. We used to find $5 Blu-rays! With physical media becoming more collector focused, the prices just keep climbing. A smaller market means more pressure on regular consumers like us. Case in point, the recent Drive 4K Steelbook comes with a hefty price tag of $35.
What’s the Solution?
What do we do? Well, we can start by making smart spending choices. Steering clear of businesses that hoard your cash can help save the day of physical media collecting.
We want to hear from you! Are you a collector? What’s the most you’ve paid for a movie? Which boutique label is your favorite? Let’s discuss it in comments. Let’s keep physical media alive and affordable, shall we?
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/is-the-rising-cost-of-physical-media-a-challenge-for-collectors/