I’m a fairly devout advocate for physical media. In particular, I believe DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K discs represent the superior way to watch films at home.

Nevertheless, I’m aware of the economic realities of building a physical media collection. While I’ll go to my grave insisting physical media is ultimately preferable to streaming, I’m also happy I don’t live in a world where I have to choose between the two. I’ve even gone to bat for various streaming services in the past.

Because I’m a realist who understands that streaming provides access to a large volume of content at a fairly consistent price, I understand that the average movie fan might not necessarily buy physical copies of every movie they enjoy on a streaming service.

That said, even if you can technically already access a title via a streaming platform to which you subscribe, there may still be reasons to buy it on DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K disc. Consider these points:

Check to see if a title is leaving a platform

A movie or series you can access via streaming might not be available forever

One of the many benefits of physical media is that you actually own it. With streaming, that’s not the case. In fact, it’s fairly common for movies and series to only be available on certain streaming platforms temporarily.

Keep that in mind if you’ve watched a movie on streaming and particularly enjoyed it. You may want to check to find out if the streaming company has any plans to remove it from the platform. If so, you might decide it’s worth it to invest in a physical copy.

Check for supplemental features

A DVD or Blu-ray copy of a movie can offer more content than a streaming copy

Again, there’s no shortage of advantages physical media offers over streaming and digital downloads. For example, when you buy a disc of a film or series, you may be getting more content than you would if you only accessed the film via a streaming platform.

Many DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K discs come with supplemental features that can add to your appreciation and enjoyment of a given film. Examples include behind-the-scenes documentaries, audio commentaries, storyboards, deleted scenes, and more. In fact, sometimes, these supplemental features are so extensive and detailed that they could almost be considered as informal film school lessons.

Check the features available on the physical copy of a movie you liked. Be aware, there may be multiple versions of the film on physical media. It’s not uncommon for studios to release fairly “bare-bones” versions of movies on disc, as well as special editions that offer more content.

You might find the supplemental features a given title offers are quite appealing. If you can’t access those features through a streaming platform, which is likely to be the case, you can buy the disc. Along with getting the extra features that interest you, you’ll also get a copy of the movie that can remain in your collection virtually indefinitely.

Evaluate the audio and video quality

DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K discs offer superior technical performance

Although the nuances can vary from one title to another, the general consensus is that physical media at least has the potential to deliver stronger audio and video quality than a streaming platform can deliver. This is a point that might help you determine whether to buy a particular movie in a physical format.

For instance, a small-scale romcom might be something you’re entirely happy consuming via streaming. On the other hand, maybe an IMAX-friendly epic comes across as a little tepid when viewed on Netflix. This is the type of cinematic experience that benefits from the technical capabilities of physical media.

Remember that discs can be decorative

Adding a movie to your physical collection can show off your taste

As I’ve researched how experiencing content through physical media differs from the streaming and digital experiences, I’ve found that surveys and studies indicate a consumer may feel more of a personal connection to a piece of physical media. This is partially because holding an object in our hands appears to contribute to our sense of ownership over it. However, on top of that, a piece of physical media that you can display in your own home becomes an emblem of your taste and interests.

This is another reason you might purchase a disc of a film even if you can technically watch it on a streaming service. It’s important to remember that movies and shows aren’t just background entertainment. They’re art, and some works of art might be so important to you that you want to display them in your living space. Physical media gives you the opportunity to do that with movies.

Once more, none of this is meant to suggest that you should spend more than you can afford on discs. If a streaming subscription offers a cost-friendly way to access a wealth of movies, I thoroughly understand taking advantage of that option. I merely also believe there are instances when it makes sense to own a movie on DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K, even if you can watch it elsewhere. These are just a few circumstances in which buying a physical copy of a movie you can stream might make sense.