Where to Buy Physical Media in 2025: Blu-ray Buying Guide

The best places to buy physical media movies in 2025, from independent retailers to boutique labels keeping film collecting alive.

Physical media is still going strong, but the way we buy movies has changed. With Best Buy and Target dropping physical media, the big retailers left are Walmart, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Out of those, Barnes & Noble is probably the best option for collectors, especially with their regular Criterion sales, but I know a lot of you only have access to Walmart or Amazon. Those are still around, for now.

But the real heart of physical media is with independent retailers and boutique labels. These businesses aren’t just selling movies. They’re keeping film history alive, restoring lost classics, and putting out some of the best collector’s editions around. If you want to keep physical media thriving, this is where you should be shopping.

Here are some of the best places to buy movies in 2025.

This post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

---

Independent Retailers Keeping Physical Media Alive

Orbit DVD (Asheville, NC – Online & Physical Store)

Orbit DVD is a collector’s dream. Their physical store in Asheville, North Carolina, is packed with boutique label releases, imports, rare titles, and other cool collectibles. If you’re ever in the area, it’s well worth stopping by. Their online store is just as impressive, with a huge selection and frequent restocks of hard-to-find titles.

Hamilton Book (Online Only)

Hamilton Book is all about deep discounts. They specialize in bargain-priced books, movies, and music, and their prices on boutique label titles are some of the best around. Since they only sell online, it’s worth checking their site regularly because inventory moves fast.

Barnes & Noble (In-Store & Online)

Barnes & Noble has picked up some of the slack from the major retailers who dropped out of physical media by being one of the few larger retailers that still carries movies. They have a famous 50% off Criterion Collection sale twice a year that lasts an entire month, and have started mixing in other sales, like 50% Arrow Video titles as well. Barnes & Noble has also started stocking A24 Special Edition Blu-rays, which were previously exclusive to A24Shop.com. B&N also offers a nice membership rewards program and offers the ability to order anything they don’t have in-store to your local store for pickup or shipping through the website.

Diabolik DVD (Online Only)

Diabolik DVD is one of the best online retailers for horror, cult, and foreign films. They stock a ton of boutique label releases from Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Video, Severin Films, and more. If you’re into genre films, this is one of the best places to find rare and limited-edition releases. Even more impressive, owner Jesse Nelson does a ton of the work on the site himself, with shipments still having his name on them, and customer service emails going right to his inbox. You know you are truly supporting a small business when you order from Diabolik.

Grindhouse Video (Online Only)

Grindhouse Video is a must-visit for fans of horror, exploitation, and cult cinema. Their physical store in Knoxville, Tennessee, has unfortunately closed (it may be coming back soon according to recent updates), but they have a huge online store with plenty of rare finds. With their wide selection of cult, horror, and boutique releases, you’ll have no trouble finding something interesting here.

Bull Moose (Maine & New Hampshire – Online & Physical Stores)

Bull Moose is my local video and record store, and they do a great job keeping physical media alive and well. They’re independent and employee-owned, so when you shop there, you’re supporting good people who care about movies, books, music, video games, and most importantly, physical media. They have stores across Maine and New Hampshire, plus an online shop with a solid selection of movies, music, video games, and books. If you ever visit one of their stores, you might even run into me! Even if you don’t, their staff is always super helpful and knowledgeable.

Atomic Movie Store (Online Only)

Atomic Movie Store is another great online shop for collectors looking for boutique label releases, imports, and rare finds. They stock a wide range of titles from companies like Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Video, Severin Films, and many others. Atomic also specializes in imports, so if you’re looking for international editions of your favorite films, this is a solid place to check. Their customer service is highly rated, and they frequently update their stock with new releases and hard-to-find gems.

GRUV (Online Only)

GRUV is owned by Universal and carries a lot of movies from Universal and Warner Bros., along with some boutique label releases. They offer great prices on 4K titles, box sets, and new releases, and they frequently run sales and discount codes. even better, they always offer free shipping. If you’re looking for a deal on major studio titles, this is a good place to check. If you’re new to GRUV, new customers get 20% off their first order with this link - you can’t beat that!

Deep Discount (Online Only)

Deep Discount has been a go-to for collectors for years. They carry a huge selection of movies, music, and collectibles, often at some of the lowest prices you’ll find. I remember finding a Friday the 13th box set on Blu-ray through their site some years back for about $30 cheaper than anywhere else, so always keep an eye out! They also run frequent sitewide sales and offer discount codes, so it’s always worth checking their deals.

The Archive (Bridgeport, CT & Toronto, Canada – Physical Stores Only)

The Archive, owned by Vinegar Syndrome, is a paradise for movie collectors. They have two physical stores, one in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and another in Toronto, Canada. Both locations stock boutique label releases, cult classics, and rare films. While they don’t have an online store, you can find all of Vinegar Syndrome’s releases, along with their partner labels, on Vinegar Syndrome’s website.

---

Boutique Labels Selling Direct to Consumers

Criterion Collection

Criterion is one of the most respected names in physical media, known for restoring and preserving classic and important films. Ordering directly from their site helps support their work, and they run great sales throughout the year, like their 50% off flash sales. Plus, if you’ve sign up for their rewards program you’ll earn $50 back on every $500 you spend, which has certainly given me a few free movies over the years.

Vinegar Syndrome

Vinegar Syndrome specializes in restoring cult, horror, and exploitation films. They also distribute a growing number of independent and boutique labels through their OCN Distribution arm. This includes partner labels like Utopia, Shudder, IFC Films, Cinematographe, XYZ Films, Gunpowder & Sky, and many more. Buying directly from their site gives you access to exclusive slipcovers and limited editions that often sell out fast. They also offer a rewards program - sign up with my link and you’ll get $5 off your first order.

Arrow Video

Arrow is one of the best labels for cult, horror, and classic films. Their restorations are top-notch, and their collector’s editions come loaded with special features. Their site frequently has sales and exclusive releases.

Kino Lorber

Kino Lorber is a great source for classic cinema, foreign films, and underrated gems. They offer frequent discounts when you buy directly, and they have a massive back catalog to explore.

MVD Entertainment

MVD distributes Arrow Video in the U.S. and carries a variety of boutique labels, as well as their own releases like the MVD Rewind Collection. Their site is a great one-stop shop for collectors.

Shout Studios (Shout Factory & Scream Factory)

Shout Factory and its horror imprint, Scream Factory, are known for their high-quality collector’s editions. Ordering from their site ensures you get access to limited-edition releases and exclusives.

Umbrella Entertainment

Based in Australia, Umbrella specializes in cult and classic films, often with exclusive extras. They ship internationally (it can take some time to get to the US, so be patient) and are a growing favorite among collectors with their unique packaging and collector’s editions.

Via Vision Entertainment

Another great Australian label, Via Vision releases a lot of TV shows and hard-to-find films in high-quality editions, including their boutique imprint, Imprint Films.

Second Sight Films

A UK-based boutique label known for premium editions of horror and cult classics. Their packaging and special features are some of the best in the business. I rank them very highly, but you do need to be careful with their region coding on some Blu-rays, so just pay attention. You can often find their stuff at Orbit DVD and other sites listed above as well.

---

Other Great Places to Find Physical Media

If you’re hunting for deals or out-of-print titles, don’t forget about these options:

• Whatnot - A live-stream shopping platform where collectors can buy movies directly from sellers. I occasionally sell on Whatnot, and if you sign up using my special link, you’ll get $15 in free credits to buy movies or whatever else you want!

• Facebook Marketplace – Great for local deals and bulk movie lots.

• eBay – Good for rare and out-of-print titles, but be careful of overpriced listings.

• Mercari – Often has better deals than eBay, especially on boutique label releases.

• Pawn Shops & Thrift Stores – Hit or miss, but sometimes you can find great deals.

• Indie Record Stores – Many now stock boutique label movies, so check your local shops.

---

For UK & European Buyers

• Zavvi – A popular retailer for steelbooks, limited editions, and UK-exclusive releases.

• Rarewaves – A solid option for finding UK and European boutique label releases, often at competitive prices.

• WOWHD – A great site for importing US Blu-rays and 4K discs to the UK and Europe.

• Planet of Entertainment – A UK-based retailer with a strong selection of movies, music, and collectibles.

• HMV – One of the last major physical media chains in the UK, offering a great selection of Blu-rays, 4Ks, and exclusive editions.

---

Physical media isn’t dead, but it needs support from collectors. While Walmart and Amazon are easy options, the best way to keep physical media alive is by buying from independent retailers and boutique labels. These businesses are the ones doing the real work in film preservation and distribution.

If you’re a collector, consider making these independent retailers your go-to spots. You’ll find great selections, get better service, and help ensure that physical media sticks around for years to come.