Blu-ray lives on as Verbatim and I-O Data pledge support with new drives and discs

[wiyosaya]

If we carry the research a bit further, we find that Sony is still releasing movies on UHD Blu-ray
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/releasedates.php?studioid=7&casingid=&4k=on
Its not many, but for a company that has gotten out of selling media and players it seems rather odd that they would still be releasing content in an "archaic" media format.

 

[Anton Longshot]

Not even in a game console? The Playstation 3 and 4 have internal Blu-Ray drives. The Xbox One also has one, the Xbox One S and Xbox One X have Ultra HD 4K Blu-Ray drives, as does the Xbox Series X. (The Xbox Series S has no optical drive.)

Of course, having that capability doesn't necessarily mean that the owner has bought any Blu-Ray movies or TV shows. They may only use it for gaming. I'm at the other end of that; I bought an Xbox One S primarily to be a 4K Blu-Ray player, and only secondarily for games. But I'm in the US, not NL.

Oh I didn't know that. I do know two console owners but they've never shown me their machines, probably because I'm not interested..(I'm a boring PC gamer)
So, I lied. But I was unaware I did that. Now I feel only half guilty.

 

[LimyG]

Oh I didn't know that. I do know two console owners but they've never shown me their machines, probably because I'm not interested..(I'm a boring PC gamer)
So, I lied. But I was unaware I did that. Now I feel only half guilty.

I don't want you to feel even halve guilty! It wasn't a lie at all. Have a wonderful day!

 

[Endymio]

Saying there are not many new release blu-ray disks anymore is b.s. How would anyone know

• "Not many" is certainly an overstatement, however the trend to skip physical media entirely is increasing.
• 
  
• "Streaming Exclusives: Many 2025 films, including high-profile ones from major platforms, did not get a physical release. Examples of films aimed solely at streaming or digital-only releases include 28 Years Later (Netflix), F1 (Apple TV+), Frankenstein (Netflix), and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount+).
• 
  
• Theatrical to Premium Digital: Films that had a theatrical release also skipped physical media in favor of PVOD ... In 2025, 79 films utilized this strategy, up from 62 in 2024, meaning they were available to rent or buy digitally, but not on physical disc...."

 

[wiyosaya]

While I certainly hope that rosy forecast comes true, I rather doubt it. All it will take is for one major studio to decide that it's no longer worth supporting physical media, and the rest will all follow lemming-fashion.

Supposedly, that happened today with Disney laying off their entire "Home Entertainment"division.

However, the story is more complicated than that in that Disney out-sourced all their physical media catalog to Sony in 2024.

Your guess as to where it will really go is as good as mine, however, I'll still fall back to the fact that the demise of physical media has been forecast for a long time now, and has exhibited Lazarus like resurgence fueled by enthusiasts.

 

[wiyosaya]

• "Not many" is certainly an overstatement, however the trend to skip physical media entirely is increasing.
• 
  
• "Streaming Exclusives: Many 2025 films, including high-profile ones from major platforms, did not get a physical release. Examples of films aimed solely at streaming or digital-only releases include 28 Years Later (Netflix), F1 (Apple TV+), Frankenstein (Netflix), and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount+).
• 
  
• Theatrical to Premium Digital: Films that had a theatrical release also skipped physical media in favor of PVOD ... In 2025, 79 films utilized this strategy, up from 62 in 2024, meaning they were available to rent or buy digitally, but not on physical disc...."

28 Years later is releasing on UHD BR this month

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple 4K Blu-ray (SteelBook)

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple 4K Blu-ray Release Date April 21, 2026. Blu-ray reviews, news, specs, ratings, screenshots. Cheap Blu-ray movies and deals.

www.blu-ray.com

I suggest verifying the other titles, too. Just for example https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Mission-Impossible-The-Final-Reckoning-4K-Blu-ray/375688/

 

[LimyG]

• "Not many" is certainly an overstatement, however the trend to skip physical media entirely is increasing.
• 
  
• "Streaming Exclusives: Many 2025 films, including high-profile ones from major platforms, did not get a physical release. Examples of films aimed solely at streaming or digital-only releases include 28 Years Later (Netflix), F1 (Apple TV+), Frankenstein (Netflix), and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount+).
• 
  
• Theatrical to Premium Digital: Films that had a theatrical release also skipped physical media in favor of PVOD ... In 2025, 79 films utilized this strategy, up from 62 in 2024, meaning they were available to rent or buy digitally, but not on physical disc...."

Fascinating. I shall be sure to use, "Not many," only when it is exactly correct to use that particular term.