Gen Z is embracing DVDs once again, driven by a sense of nostalgia and a desire for permanence.
Nineteen-year-old Julia shares her love for physical media, saying, “Rewatching them, the nostalgia factor, and especially the fact that no one can take them away from me.”
Julia and her mother, Kim, have built an impressive collection of around 5,000 movies and television shows on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD.
Younger generations are becoming some of the most dedicated consumers of old media, reminiscing about childhood memories of portable DVD players, trips to Blockbuster, and flipping through their personal collections.
Beyond nostalgia, the need for preservation is also fueling this resurgence. With streaming platforms frequently removing content—and, in some cases, erasing titles forever—physical copies ensure that favorite films and shows remain accessible.