{"id":2296071,"date":"2026-02-23T19:57:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T19:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2296071"},"modified":"2026-02-23T19:57:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T19:57:58","slug":"why-gen-z-is-embracing-physical-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/why-gen-z-is-embracing-physical-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Gen Z is embracing physical media"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Before the lights dimmed for the film, &#8220;The Lady from Shanghai&#8221; at <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2025-09-21\/in-the-age-of-streaming-las-revival-cinemas-offer-something-more\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Vidiots;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Vidiots<\/a>, Aidan Gannon and Jason Fine were busy perusing the aisles of endless DVDs. For these young cinephiles, the Eagle Rock hub isn&#8217;t just a theater \u2014 it\u2019s a gateway to film history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a matter of minutes, the 24-year-olds found themselves in the thick of its <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/travel\/story\/2026-01-14\/disneyland-star-wars-galaxys-edge-whats-new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:\u201cStar Wars\u201d;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">\u201cStar Wars\u201d<\/a> DVD and Blu-ray collection, reminiscing about the special features they enjoyed as kids.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But for them, collecting and watching DVDs isn&#8217;t merely a childhood memory. They&#8217;ve rediscovered the medium as adults.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI want something I can put on my shelf,&#8221; Gannon said, having recently collected 200 discs. &#8220;I can go shopping in my closet and grab something and pop it in, instead of spending an hour scrolling through Netflix to find something and then just turning on the same TV show.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Vesta McDade, 13, browses DVDs at Videotheque in Highland Park. <span class=\"copyright\">(Karla Gachet\/For The Times)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">And Gannon isn&#8217;t the only one. Local video rental stores like <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/movies\/story\/2023-06-07\/vidiots-foundation-la-eagle-rock-movies\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Vidiots,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Vidiots,<\/a> the Highland Park-based Vid\u00e9oth\u00e8que and the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/travel\/list\/sawtelle-guide-best-restaurants-things-to-do\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Westside's Cinefile video store on Sawtelle;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Westside&#8217;s Cinefile video store on Sawtelle<\/a> are reporting higher rentals, purchases and foot traffic. Even Barnes &amp; Noble, one of the last major retailers selling movie discs, sees sales growth in that area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Before streaming platforms dominated at-home entertainment, consumers relied on places like Blockbuster, the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/tv\/story\/2022-11-03\/netflix-blockbuster-vanessa-ramos-randall-park-melissa-fumero\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:now nearly erased;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">now nearly erased<\/a> movie rental chain and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2024-07-11\/rip-redbox-the-dvd-kiosk-business-will-shut-down-and-fire-1-000-people\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:RedBox, the defunct movie vending machines;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">RedBox, the defunct movie vending machines<\/a>, to watch newly released films. So, when Netflix and others launched streaming services, physical distribution eventually waned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Similar to vinyl records that saw a resurgence among millennial customers, DVDs are enjoying a comeback with some Gen Z buyers, even though the discs no longer drive significant studio profits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">DVD sales have been falling for years, dropping more than 20% in 2023 and 2024 alone. However, the falloff slowed substantially last year when sales of DVDs, Blu-rays and 4K Ultra HD declined just 9%, according to the trade association Digital Entertainment Group.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In turn, boutique Blu-ray companies, like the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/business\/hollywood\/la-fi-ct-criterion-channel-launches-after-filmstruck-20190408-story.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Criterion Collection;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Criterion Collection<\/a>, are similarly on the rise. As one of the leading independent home-video sellers specializing in classic and contemporary films, Criterion confirmed to The Times the company\u2019s sales are seeing \u201csignificant year-over-year increases.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Peter Becker, president of Criterion, credits this continued annual growth to young customers&#8217; enthusiasm for physical formats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIn the dawn of streaming, it seemed like maybe this was not going to happen, but it has definitely happened,&#8221; said Becker. &#8220;We&#8217;re seeing a lot of evidence, including at the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/movies\/story\/2025-04-28\/criterion-closet-van-truck-mobile-vidiots-los-angeles-peter-becker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Criterion Mobile Closet,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Criterion Mobile Closet,<\/a> that more young people are thinking about physical media in a different way. In an age where so much is available to us on demand, it becomes increasingly important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Amy Jo Smith, president of the Digital Entertainment Group, said sales of physical media tend to peak around the release of highly sought-after titles like &#8220;Wicked&#8221; and other franchise collections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;This is most clear in 4K UHD Blu-ray, which delivers a premium in-home viewing experience,&#8221; Smith said, adding that &#8220;U.S. viewers spent 12 percent more buying titles on 4K UHD in 2025 than they did in 2024.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In January 2026, Vidiots said it had its biggest month ever \u2014 renting an average of 170 movies daily and renting 500 titles in just one day. Each disc rents for $3, including their most popular titles like David Lynch&#8217;s &#8220;Wild at Heart&#8221; and Elaine May&#8217;s &#8220;The Heartbreak Kid.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When it <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/movies\/story\/2023-04-17\/vidiots-movie-theater-video-store-eagle-rock\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:opened in 2023,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">opened in 2023, <\/a>Vidiots loaned out around 22,000 discs. A year later, it doubled to around 50,000. The shop\u2019s rental numbers have continued to rise, hitting a little over 1,000 movies a week in 2025.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Nat Roberts retrieves DVDs from shelves behind the counter at Vidiots. Roberts has worked at the store for two years.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/mF2v6f2mzj9UKdbJBbIVxg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/la_times_articles_853\/fa967a81bd975196239f66cf537ce446\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Nat Roberts retrieves DVDs from shelves behind the counter at Vidiots. Roberts has worked at the store for two years. <span class=\"copyright\">(Karla Gachet\/For The Times)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Robbie McCluskey, the director of the video store, said the most recent numbers aren\u2019t \u201ceven close to back in the mid-2010s,\u201d adding that this moment feels like a \u201cgolden age\u201d for physical media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Over the weekend, Bianca Garcia and her friends Lauren and Emily VanDerwerken were on a mission to find \u201cRaising Helen\u201d and \u201cDrop Dead Gorgeous\u201d in the Vidiots collection, as they couldn\u2019t find the titles on streaming. For them, owning and renting physical media is all about reassurance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><b>Read more:<\/b> <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2025-07-30\/amc-a-list-subscription-gen-z-popularity-movie-theater?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=promo_module&amp;utm_campaign=rss_feed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:They flex it on dating apps and recite \u2018the pledge\u2019: Inside the Gen Z cult of AMC A-list;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">They flex it on dating apps and recite \u2018the pledge\u2019: Inside the Gen Z cult of AMC A-list<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIf something gets deleted off an online platform, I will still be able to watch it because I have a physical copy,\u201d said Lauren, 31. \u201cIt feels really precious to be able to own things physically and not be at the mercy of studios&#8217; financial decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Garcia, 27, who first started to dive into cinema during the pandemic, sees physical media ownership as an act of \u201crebellion.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Jay Spencer restocks DVDs at Vidiots\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Wbcbv7kjfFstqo3BQ6CJnA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/la_times_articles_853\/ca91dbf49f00e55df2eb41b5349b6966\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Jay Spencer restocks DVDs at Vidiots <span class=\"copyright\">(Karla Gachet\/For The Times)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cAt this point, I&#8217;m forced to have six different subscriptions, which is insane, and I still can&#8217;t find what I want to watch,&#8221; Garcia said. &#8220;Why am I paying this much for them to give me a movie for a year and take it away?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cVidiots is full of people who actually love movies and don&#8217;t just want my subscription money every month,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Cinefile, a video shop founded in 1999, boasts a similar upward trend in business. Post-COVID, there were roughly 300 paying members. Today, that number hovers around 500.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Luis Samra, an employee at Cinefile, has noticed both a flood of younger followers on the store\u2019s Instagram page and an influx of college students coming into the shop. He says, every Friday night (when they are open until midnight), he sees Gen Z friend groups pour into the store, in search of the movies from <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/movies\/story\/2025-01-16\/david-lynch-dead-obit-filmmaker-twin-peaks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:David Lynch;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">David Lynch<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/movies\/story\/2025-04-16\/david-cronenberg-the-shrouds-grief-interview\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:David Cronenberg;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">David Cronenberg<\/a> and anything from A24, the production company best known for movies like &#8220;Hereditary,&#8221; &#8220;Midsommar&#8221; and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/awards\/story\/2025-11-19\/odessa-azion-marty-supreme-i-love-la\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:&quot;Marty Supreme.&quot;;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">&#8220;Marty Supreme.&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt&#8217;s like an after-dinner hangout activity,\u201d said Samra. \u201cThey like to browse amongst each other and say \u2018Have you seen this movie?\u2019 or \u2018Have you seen this director?\u2019 And maybe one in three of those people usually come up and make a membership.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><b>Read more:<\/b> <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2025-12-23\/why-gen-z-gen-alpha-are-feasting-on-tv-comfort-food?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=promo_module&amp;utm_campaign=rss_feed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are feasting on TV comfort food;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are feasting on TV comfort food<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Before this surge in memberships, the video store relied on providing more niche films. But with the renewed interest, Cinefile is able to spend more money to keep up withcurrent releases, like buying all of <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/awards\/story\/2026-01-22\/oscar-nominations-2026-list-nominees\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:this year's Oscar-nominated films;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">this year&#8217;s Oscar-nominated films<\/a> for customersto rent. They\u2019ve also been able to bulk up their for-sale section.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Barnes &amp; Noble is one of the few remaining chain retailers that still dedicates in-store space to physical media items. According to Bill Castle, the director of B&amp;N\u2019s music and video section, sales of DVDs and Blu-rays have increased by \u201cmid-double digits\u201d in the last year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Victor Gonzales (left) browses inside Videotheque\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"768\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/p457qoW.ednrpgH9T8ba.g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc2ODtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/la_times_articles_853\/9b810e7a1414045db432c632e8f94e3e\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Victor Gonzales, left, browses inside Videotheque on Feb. 14. Gonzales said he has been coming to the store since it was located in South Pasadena more than 10 years ago and now lives nearby. <span class=\"copyright\">(Karla Gachet\/For The Times)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWe see across all of our platforms, books, vinyl, everything, is way up for us. People want to own things and build libraries,\u201d said Castle, who added that Barnes &amp; Noble&#8217;s media section demographics continue to skew toward younger shoppers. \u201cIt&#8217;s convenient. They can listen or watch them at any time. They don&#8217;t have to worry about what streaming service has it up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Castle said he is frustrated when major studios like <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2026-02-18\/mid-ai-scandal-hollywood-studios-threaten-bytedance-with-legal-action\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Disney;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Disney<\/a> seem to prioritize streaming over physical releases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWhen <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2024\/film\/news\/disney-sony-pysical-media-dvd-blu-ray-disc-business-1235917294\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Disney moved from their own distribution to Sony;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Disney moved from their own distribution to Sony<\/a>, we saw a drop in their title count, and we often carried all the Disney titles. We see it shrinking from some studios,\u201d said Castle. &#8220;We need products to sell interesting things for our shoppers to browse through. So without more content, it\u2019s a disadvantage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Recently, producer and chair of USC Peter Stark Producing Program Ed Saxon was \u201cshocked\u201d when he received one of his old movies, \u201cMarried to the Mob\u201d (1988), as a new release from <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vinegarsyndrome.com\/products\/married-to-the-mob\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Blu-ray boutique vendor Vinegar Syndrome;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Blu-ray boutique vendor Vinegar Syndrome<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Phoenix Topete and Dayana Gallardo visit Videotheque\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/7RsotFoKzbns5xIgg19Lfw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/la_times_articles_853\/c230e8cf422de46e695d6c839e2bc98c\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Phoenix Topete and Dayana Gallardo visit Videotheque for a Valentine&#8217;s Day date on Feb. 14. Gallardo said she first began coming to the store in fall 2023 and that she and her boyfriend enjoy browsing for movies together. Maddie Bumb, seen in the background, has worked at the store for two and a half years and was previously a customer when it was located in South Pasadena. <span class=\"copyright\">(Karla Gachet\/For The Times)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt&#8217;s well thought of to this day, but it wasn&#8217;t a big hit. It&#8217;s directed by a notable director, but that would not have happened before this bump,\u201d said Saxon, referring to the film&#8217;s reemergence. \u201cIn an era where we&#8217;re all so online, it was reassuring and felt nurturing. It&#8217;s good evidence of how much film culture means to people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He suggested a precursor to this rise in popularity began in the 2010s, when audio streaming platforms were introduced and vinyl records started to regain popularity among millennials. He explained that to younger people like his students, collecting and renting DVDs is a way \u201cto be able to slow down and get off this hedonic treadmill of &#8216;where&#8217;s my next stimulus coming from.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cInfinite choice is exhausting. People are just tired of all of it. Putting a claim down on a piece of culture is in some ways subversive and fights back against platform control,\u201d said Saxon. \u201cPhysical media isn&#8217;t competing with streaming. It&#8217;s instead correcting for the context and commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><b>Read more:<\/b> <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2025-09-15\/movie-theater-anniversary-screenings-rereleases-jaws-twilight-back-to-the-future-toy-story?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=promo_module&amp;utm_campaign=rss_feed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Retro movies are hitting big at the box office. Why cinephiles and theaters are going back in time;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Retro movies are hitting big at the box office. Why cinephiles and theaters are going back in time<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Saxon, who produced <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/archives\/la-xpm-1992-03-31-mn-104-story.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:\u201cThe Silence of the Lambs,\u201d;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">\u201cThe Silence of the Lambs,\u201d<\/a> is also well aware that physical media can be a \u201cnice piece of business for the studios.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He added, \u201c\u2018The Silence of the Lambs\u2019 is a perennial now. I understand how it\u2019s been everywhere, but that movie means enough to people that they will go buy it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;As a kind of mass market for older films that don&#8217;t have new sources of revenue, beyond new streaming platforms, [physical media] is a nice bonus, and when you add it up across a whole library of films from the studios, it adds up to real money.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/newsletters\/sign-up-for-wide-shot?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=newsletter_module&amp;utm_campaign=wide-shot-general\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. <\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This story originally appeared in <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2026-02-23\/why-gen-z-wants-to-buy-rent-dvds-blu-rays-in-age-of-streaming\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Los Angeles Times;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Los Angeles Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before the lights dimmed for the film, &#8220;The Lady from Shanghai&#8221; at Vidiots, Aidan Gannon and Jason Fine were busy perusing the aisles of endless DVDs. For these young cinephiles, the Eagle Rock hub isn&#8217;t just a theater \u2014 it\u2019s a gateway to film history. In a matter of minutes, the 24-year-olds found themselves in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2296072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[444965,444968,378386,400527,52337,317471,378387,364919,319010,444966,444967],"class_list":["post-2296071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-aidan-gannon","tag-bianca-garcia","tag-criterion-collection","tag-david-cronenberg","tag-david-lynch","tag-dvds","tag-peter-becker","tag-physical-media","tag-streaming-services","tag-videotheque","tag-vidiots"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Why-Gen-Z-is-embracing-physical-media.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2296071","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2296071"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2296071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2296073,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2296071\/revisions\/2296073"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2296072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2296071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2296071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2296071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}