Target confirms it’s all but completely ditching DVDs in physical stores

Target is scaling back the presence of physical media in its stores. A spokesperson for Target tells IGN that the company is “transitioning the limited assortment of DVDs” it sells in stores to its website.

“Moving forward, we’ll offer select DVDs in stores when they are newly released or during key times throughout the year when they are more popular, like for gift giving during the holidays,” Target says. That will make Target’s physical DVD section even smaller and only available during specific times. You’ll still be able to buy “thousands” of DVDs on Target’s website, but I have to wonder how broad its selection will be.

Reports about Target backing away from DVDs first emerged on Wednesday, when the X account @PhysicalMedia posted that the store will “stop selling physical media in-store and online by 2025.” But that’s only partially true, as Target tells IGN that it will still sell physical games in-store and online, while the DVD aisle will take the hardest hit.

The Verge reached out to Target for more information about the change as well as when it will take place but didn’t immediately hear back.

With the rise of streaming and digital games, physical media has become an afterthought for some. But as someone who rediscovered a love for DVDs, this news is pretty disappointing. After spending years flipping between pricey streaming services, I’ve found that physically perusing the DVD aisles of a Target, Walmart, or Barnes & Noble makes finding something to watch far less stressful. There aren’t thousands of shows and films to scroll through — it’s just you and a wall of movies to browse.

Target isn’t alone in axing physical media displays, either. Last year, Best Buy confirmed that it will drop DVDs and Blu-rays from its stores in 2024. Walmart still hasn’t said if and when it will get rid of its DVD selection — but I’m not giving up on its $5 DVD bin just yet.