Despite the rise of digital and streaming, the demand for physical media is proving its resilience and relevance in the market. Case in point: Oppenheimer’s 4K and Blu-Ray discs have been selling out at various retailers.
It’s gotten to the point where Universal has even taken notice, assuring physical media-lovers that they’re working to replenish supplies.
Oppenheimer was released on 4K and Blu-Ray last month, but many have taken to social media recently to point out that finding a copy of the film is arduous, at least in the United States. At press time, major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy do not have stock for those to order and have it shipped to their homes, though some have reported they were lucky enough to find a copy at their local store.
Heading to eBay, people are scalping their copies of Oppenheimer, including one person selling the Steelbook edition for nearly $200.
“We are happy so many consumers are embracing OPPENHEIMER in 4K Ultra HD and understand that some retailers may currently be out of stock,” a Universal spokesperson said in a statement originally reported by The Digital Bits’ Bill Hunt and confirmed by IGN. “Universal is working to replenish those retailers quickly so fans can watch the film at home in the best picture quality possible.”
In an interview with IGN earlier this month, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan reiterated the importance of physical media and urged fans of the film to buy physical copies.
“If you buy a 4K UHD, you buy a Blu-ray, it’s on your shelf, it’s yours,” Nolan said. “No company is going to break into your house and take it from you and repossess it. It’s yours, and you own it. That’s never really the case with any form of digital distribution.”
Nolan’s comments ring especially true as various movies and TV shows have been completely wiped from streaming platforms like Disney+ and Max as of late. Best Buy, meanwhile, recently confirmed plans to discontinue sales of physical DVDs and Blu-ray discs in early 2024 (plans they may want to re-evaluate in light of the Oppenheimer scramble).
Oppenheimer released in theaters in July and has been a huge success, especially in IMAX, where it grossed $183 million in the format, making it the fourth-highest-grossing IMAX film to date.
In our review of Oppenheimer, which we awarded a 10 out 10, we said: “A full-tilt biopic unlike any before it, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is as stunning as it is terrifying.”
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
