Does it make any sense to watch DVDs in the age of streaming? You might say there's no point in owning and storing DVDs when you can watch almost anything on Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, or other streaming platforms.

While DVDs may not be as common as they used to be, there are plenty of reasons to use them. If you want to find out why DVDs are still around, keep reading.

1. DVDs Have Better Audio and Image Quality

Of course, there are a lot of options offered by today’s streaming platforms. And if you’re lucky, you’re already subscribed to the one that streams your favorite movie. However, streaming platforms can’t offer top audio and image quality, even if you’re paying for their premium subscription.

This is because streaming platforms have to use considerable compression to save internet bandwidth.

govee immersion lights behind the tv, with a couple sitting on the couch in front
Image Credit: Amazon

DVDs, however, offer an uncompressed, high-quality image. And most of the time, DVDs have better audio options, such as Dolby Digital or even Digital Theater Systems, which will help you dive into the movie’s atmosphere.

2. Buying DVDs Might Be Cheaper

If you don’t watch movies or TV series that often, it might not make sense to pay for a subscription-based streaming service. Especially if you don’t want ads to interrupt your movies or you prefer better picture quality.

The most popular streaming platforms have ad-supported plans, so if you don’t want to spend the extra bucks, there’s no way to avoid them.

DVDs, on the other hand, are now cheaper than ever, and you can easily score cheap movie rentals and discounts. And if you buy a DVD you don’t like, you can always resell it.

3. DVDs Have Bonus Content

When renting or buying a DVD, you might get more than the movie or TV show that you want to watch. DVDs usually have plenty of extra content that might interest you if you’re a dedicated fan. The extra content could be behind the scene footage, deleted scenes, interviews with the actors or the director, and so on.

Behind the scenes

Streaming platforms rarely have this kind of content available, and you could easily miss it. Especially if you share the account with someone else and you don’t recalibrate the content recommendations.

4. You Can’t Own Digital Movies

Shelf with a lot of DVDs

Even if you “buy” a digital movie or TV show, you don’t really own it. You’re just buying a license to watch a movie through one of the streaming platforms. And if these platforms no longer have the right to play the movie you’ve bought, it will be removed from your library.

On the other hand, no one can ask you to return one of your DVDs because they’ve lost distribution rights.

5. You Can Watch DVDs Anytime

If you plan on watching a DVD, all you have to do is take it off the shelf, rent it, or ask a friend to lend it to you. With streaming platforms, things are not that simple. The movie or TV series you want to watch again may not be available on the same platform anymore.

Let’s say there’s a Christmas movie you watch every year. You’ll have to track down which platform is streaming that movie. And, if you’re out of luck, you’ll have to subscribe to a new service to enjoy your favorite Christmas movie.

6. DVDs Might Be the Only Option

People on couch watching a movie

If you have very specific tastes, there’s a chance you can’t find your favorite movies on any streaming platform. So, you have no choice but to get the DVD. It doesn’t make sense for streaming platforms to pay for distribution rights if there’s no way to make their money back.

There’s also the annoying situation when a movie is available on Netflix, for example, but just not in your region. You could use a VPN to watch any Netflix show, but this will add to the cost and effort of streaming a movie.

7. You Don’t Need an Internet Connection

router placed on table with wires connected into it

Streaming platforms have one major weakness compared to DVDs: a poor internet connection. Even if you’ve paid for a premium account to get better picture quality, without a reliable internet connection, there’s no way you can enjoy your movie night.

Of course, streaming platforms such as Netflix allow you to download content to watch offline. But again, you have to pay extra for this feature. So, DVDs can provide an alternative that's always available, especially if you live in a place with a spotty internet connection.

8. There’s Little to No Troubleshooting

For not-so-techy people, DVDs are a simple way to enjoy a great movie. All you have to do is take the DVD out of its case, put it in the DVD player, and press the play button.

There’s no error message, network problems, expired subscription, or any other issue you may encounter while streaming a movie.

9. Content Is Protected Against Censorship

Censorship by Big Tech

The truth is big corporations control your favorite TV shows and movies, and there’s not much you can do about it. If these corporations decide that a certain movie doesn’t fit their brand anymore, they can remove it completely from their catalog without much warning. Additionally, they can edit the content by removing or altering scenes they consider inappropriate.

Having your favorite movies and TV shows on DVD might be the best way to preserve them as they were originally meant to be.

10. You Can Share Your Favorite DVDs

There’s one thing streaming platforms will never be able to replicate: lending movies to your friends. When was the last time you borrowed or lent a movie DVD? Doing so doesn’t cost you or your friends anything, and you can enjoy your favorite movies at the best audio and video quality.

family watching tv

While streaming platforms allow you to watch movies together with your friends, it’s not the same. They need an active subscription to the same platform, and the movie should also be available in their region.

DVDs Are Not Gone Yet

While DVDs can’t match streaming platforms’ level of convenience, there are plenty of reasons to still watch DVDs in the age of streaming. Besides better audio and video quality, bonus content, or reliability, DVDs allow you to cut the cord from the streaming platform and build your own movie collection.

DVDs are a key ingredient for a perfect movie night, but if you want to take it to the next level, you should set up your own home theater lighting.