We all know Netflix hates theaters, but for a company that used to be defined by its little red DVD envelopes, it sure seems to hate physical media too. In the early days of Netflix streaming, hits like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards used to regularly grace DVD shelves at your local electronics retailer. But as these aisles disappeared from stores, Netflix became increasingly uninterested in releasing its shows on physical media, stopping them altogether for everything not named Stranger Things.
However, in an interesting turn of events, Netflix has been quietly reversing this policy, with three of their most well-known properties getting a physical release this fall, including two Oscar-winning movies that are heading straight to the Criterion Collection.
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$20 or $26 options
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2-4
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Sandman season 2 is headed to Blu-ray and DVD as part of a complete series collection on October 20
The hit series will have a new life on disc
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Netflix have jointly announced that a box set containing the second and final season of The Sandman will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD on October 20. This box set is available on both Blu-ray and DVD (no 4K) and is the only way to get the final run of episodes for this series, as there doesn’t seem to be a standalone release for 2025’s second season of the now-canceled show. Pre-orders on Amazon are available now, with the box set currently selling for $48.99 (Blu-ray) and $43.99 (DVD). No special features have been announced.
- Release Date
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2022 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Allan Heinberg
- Directors
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Louise Hooper, Andrés Baiz, Hisko Hulsing, Mike Barker, Coralie Fargeat
- Writers
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Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, David S. Goyer
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Tom Sturridge
Morpheus / Dream
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Boyd Holbrook
The Corinthian
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Vivienne Acheampong
Lucienne
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Patton Oswalt
Matthew the Raven
Frankenstein is coming to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD October 27
Just in time for spooky season
Last year’s Frankenstein from Director Guillermo del Toro was an awards season darling, and was nominated for nine Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and ended up taking home the trophies for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. As one of Netflix’s most award-winning films to date, it is perhaps unsurprising that the film is joining 2022’s Pinnochio (also from del Toro) in the Criterion Collection.
This special edition includes a new 158-minute extended director’s cut of the film, with Dolby Atmos soundtrack, and will be available on October 27, just in time for Halloween. Preorders are now available from both Amazon and Criterion.
- Release Date
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October 17, 2025
- Runtime
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149 Minutes
- Director
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Guillermo del Toro
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Oscar Isaac
Dr. Victor Frankenstein
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Mia Goth
Elizabeth Lavenza
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Christoph Waltz
Dr. Pretorius
K-Pop Demon Hunters is coming to 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD soon
No dates have been confirmed but you can still preorder
2025’s Oscar-winning Best Animated Feature K-Pop Demon Hunters became an instant phenomenon when it was released last year, easily becoming Netflix’s most streamed original movie of all time, racking up an insane 325,100,000 views according to Netflix’s most recent numbers. And while the streamer was a little slow to catch up with the movie’s early momentum, it looks like they are going to be releasing this film on physical media, also through the Criterion Collection sometime in the near future.
Though no release date has been shared yet, you can already preorder the film though Amazon. There is currently a December 31, 2026 placeholder release date, but I expect that to change as details are finalized.
- Release Date
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June 20, 2025
- Runtime
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96 minutes
- Director
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Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
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Ji-young Yoo
Zoey (voice)
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Ahn Hyo-seop
Jinu (voice)
Can we expect more physical releases from Netflix?
It all depends
Right now physical media is seeing something of a resurgence as concern mounts about the future of the streaming landscape and the fleeting nature of digital licenses and ownership. Only time will tell how long (or if) this shift will last, but if public opinion continues to sour on streaming and physical media’s comeback becomes more than just a flash in the pan, I can absolutely see Netflix releasing more of thier back catalog on Blu-ray/4K UHD.
And if you’re reading this Netflix executives, please start with Glass Onion and Wake Up Dead Man, as my single Knives Out Blu-ray is very lonely without its sequels.
