As 2024 comes to a close, I'm looking back at everything that happened with 4K Blu-ray over the past year. Needless to say, it's been a year full of ups and downs. We've seen some excellent releases, particularly from independent distributors. We've also seen brands and retailers exit the 4K Blu-ray market, whether by selling discs or players.
As one of TechRadar's TV reviewers, the best 4K Blu-ray players and discs are crucial when testing the best TVs because they not only offer the best picture quality, but also better audio quality, thanks to a higher bitrate than streaming For testing a built-in TV, in-speakers and the best soundbars offer.
But 2024 has actually been a rollercoaster year for us 4K Blu-ray fans. There have been reports of rising CD sales at major UK retailers and elsewhere one reads that the state of physical media is in decline and everything is very doom and gloom. So what happened in the world of 4K Blu-ray in 2024?
Disney and Best Buy sabotage and a Sony savior
In two of the biggest 4K Blu-ray news stories, Best Buy decided to discontinue its inventory of 4K Blu-ray discs, and then Disney announced its decision to stop releasing 4K Blu-ray. Still, 4K Blu-ray remained alive and well thanks to the efforts of smaller distributors like The Criterion Collection and Arrow Video, both of which released excellent remasters and beautiful special editions of classic films. I bought The warriors from Arrow Video US and it's an incredible release.
However, these small companies can't be expected to do all the work, and whatever you think of Disney's current filmography, its back catalog is vast and it owns production companies like Fox. Many films have been praised by critics and audiences, such as: We are all strangers, The best quality presentation would be missed by the starved home theater fans of a 4K Blu-ray release.
But an unexpected savior appeared when Sony agreed to take over the distribution rights for Disney's physical media. This meant that films and television shows from Disney, Marvel, Fox and others would now be released physically. It was much-needed good news for the world of 4K Blu-ray.
Retailers and brands come and go
Disney and Best Buy weren't the only major brands to pull out of 4K Blu-ray. It wasn't until December that LG suffered another blow when LG announced it would stop producing 4K Blu-ray players. This makes Panasonic and Sony the only remaining mainstream brands offering “new” budget and mid-range Blu-ray players (Oppo and Samsung withdrew from the 4K Blu-ray player market in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and remaining brands such as Magentar and Reavon target the premium end of the market). While some players are still available on the second-hard marketplace, stocks are expected to become increasingly scarce.
Despite other problems, some retailers have decided to jump on the 4K Blu-ray bandwagon. For example, US retailers Fred Meyers and GameStop announced back in May that they would be stocking 4K Blu-ray discs to provide 4K Blu-ray fans with more movie outlets.
4K Blu-ray in 2025
So what are the prospects for 4K Blu-ray in 2025? Honestly, I'm hopeful. Here at TechRadar, we've noticed an appetite for 4K Blu-ray information as more readers get in touch and keep more eyes on all the 4K Blu-ray news. So much so that we've launched the Blu-ray Bounty, where we'll be checking out great 4K Blu-ray releases every month while showcasing our debut edition Double Indemnity, Power of the Dog and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Spending more time with 4K Blu-ray has also fueled my obsession. Together with The warriors, I recently added The crow, The Dark Knight Trilogy And The Lord of the Rings to my collection, among many others that would take too long to list!
But that's the state of Blu-ray for us here at TechRadar. What about the whole world? Here too, the signs point to a small revolution. That might sound like an exaggeration, but with the best streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus constant If prices go up, people will get fed up. Not only has Prime Video added advertising for all users unless you paid $2.99 / £2.99 to go ad-free in January 2024, but it also plans to add even more advertising in 2025. This is just one example of how streaming services are squeezing people out of money. Because Netflix kicks people out of even the cheapest ad-free tier and forces them to upgrade or cancel. I would list more cases from 2024 onwards, but we would be here all day.
Another disappointment I've felt is the constant appeal that these streaming services bring to movies and TV shows. Too many times I've looked at a favorite or a classic that caught my eye one month, only to find it gone the next month. With discs, the content is yours to watch. I'll keep an eye on how many other people in 2025 get fed up with this and decide to rely on good old physical media.
Final thoughts
4K Blu-ray and physical media in general have had a year of ups and downs in 2024, and while I'm hopeful for the future in 2025, I know there is still uncertainty. Overall, physical media sales continue to decline and despite rising prices, streaming services remain the primary way to watch movies and TV shows.
But 4K Blu-ray is the best way to enjoy movies on your home theater system, and the more people experience this wonderful format, the more popular it is becoming. I can recommend two players and five movies to get you started on the journey if you're new, and rest assured, I'll be flying the 4K Blu-ray flag in 2025!