iconic ’80s computers are being reinvented as clamshell handheld devices. Surprisingly, the same phenomenon is occurring with physical entertainment media — namely, DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
A study from the Digital Entertainment Group highlights that 4K Blu-ray sales rose by 12% in 2025 compared to 2024. This rise took place even as overall physical media sales fell by 9.3% relative to the previous year, reaching a total of $870 million in 2025 in the United States. However, this decline was significantly less severe than the 20% decreases seen in years prior. Considering the widespread availability of streaming media options, a 12% rise in 4K Blu-ray sales signifies a considerable number of individuals choosing to invest in physical media.
There is no single cause for the resurgence of physical discs, but the trend might relate to Blu-ray’s ability to consistently deliver 4K quality, while streaming media’s resolution can fluctuate based on bandwidth. Additionally, there’s the point that when you purchase digital media instead of a physical version, you don’t truly own the content — it could be removed if a platform ceases operations or access is revoked. Blu-ray discs and DVDs are not subject to these concerns, and as an added perk, you can always resell them if you need some extra cash. Whatever the reason, it appears that younger collectors — from millennials to Gen Z — are increasingly opting for tangible ownership over digital acquisitions, which is slowing the market’s downturn in recent times.