The dawn of streaming appears to usher in an era of unprecedented convenience for almost anyone who enjoys watching movies or TV shows at home. Being able to watch a title without purchasing or renting a physical copy theoretically saves space and allows for more spontaneous viewing choices. However, as the limitations of streaming and digital downloads become clear, younger generations have begun to embrace physical media again. In doing so, they could rediscover one of the benefits of DVDs and Blu-rays lost in the streaming era: special features.
DVD and Blu-ray bonus features (also called extra features, special features, etc.) once took many forms. Common examples include short making-of featurettes, longer documentaries, audio commentaries, and in some cases even games. Fortunately, these features are still available to anyone who has also decided that the benefits of physical media outweigh the minor benefits of digital media. Additionally, there are a few official and unofficial ways to access these features through streaming services and online platforms.
What to Know About This Overlooked Gem of the DVD and Blu-ray Era in a Streaming Environment
Not all streaming services have removed special features. Take the Criterion Channel for example. While Criterion Collection releases high-quality physical copies of prestigious films, its streaming service is aimed at movie fans who enjoy engaging with bonus content. So someone who doesn’t have space for physical copies of every movie they want to watch can still subscribe to this service to access extras like interviews and audio commentaries.
There are also many YouTube channels, accounts, and playlists offering a variety of titles with commentary tracks. However, there is no guarantee that the specific title you are looking for will be available. Additionally, some bonus video content (such as featurettes and documentaries) from old DVDs and Blu-rays have been uploaded to YouTube. This won’t help anyone find bonus content for new movies, but in some cases it might offer a way to view special features from older releases.
The lack of bonus features is just one reason to reconsider streaming or purchasing digital movies. Even if you don’t care much about the extra features, you might understand, for example, that digital copies of movies often don’t offer the same video quality as 4K Blu-rays. It seems others have realized this, as 4K Blu-ray sales have increased in recent years. If the physical media renaissance continues, the return of special features could be a welcome side effect.
