U.S. movie and TV disc sales fell to about $870 million in 2025, extending a decade-long contraction in the market for DVDs, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD discs. The Digital Entertainment Group’s preliminary year-end report put spending on physical releases 9.3% below 2024.
That compares with about $6.1 billion in disc sales in 2015, a decline of 85.7% over ten years. The totals combine sales across disc formats.
DEG estimated subscription streaming spending at $57.5 billion in 2025, up 19.8% from 2024. Its report placed total U.S. home entertainment spending at $62.2 billion. Those estimates put physical disc purchases at roughly 1.4% of the total. The report drew on input from member companies, tracking sources, retailers and platforms.
Retailers scaled back disc sales
Best Buy confirmed in October 2023 that it would end DVD and Blu-ray sales in stores and online in early 2024, after continuing to sell discs through the 2023 holiday season.
Target outlined a more selective approach in April 2024. The retailer said it was moving its limited in-store DVD assortment online, while retaining selected new releases and titles for periods such as holiday gift shopping. Thousands of titles would remain available online, the company said.
Netflix shipped its final DVDs on September 29, 2023, closing its DVD-by-mail service. The closure ended a rental business that had operated since 1998.
4K UHD and specialist releases continue
Within the shrinking disc market, DEG reported that spending on 4K UHD releases rose 12% in 2025 compared with 2024. The premium format recorded spending that was flat or higher in each quarter, even as spending across all physical formats fell for the full year.
Specialist labels continue to publish physical editions. Criterion offers restored films and supplemental material on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD. Arrow Video’s editions include restorations, bonus features and collectible packaging, while Vinegar Syndrome focuses on film preservation, restoration and distribution.
In 2023, Garson Foos, CEO of Shout! Factory, described its physical collector releases as appealing to dedicated fans.
