Releases
New Release DVDs: What to Check Before You Buy
The short answer
When buying new DVDs, pick the format you can actually play well, then check whether a Blu-ray or 4K version of the same title is worth the small price step up before you commit.
Last updated September 2026
| DVD | Cheapest, widest compatibility, lowest picture quality |
|---|---|
| Blu-ray | Sharper picture, needs a Blu-ray player |
| 4K UHD | Best picture on a 4K screen, needs a 4K player |
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What's covered8
Shopping new release dvds looks simple until you hit the format choice on the product page. DVD, Blu-ray, 4K, combo pack: the options can slow down a quick purchase.
New release dvds are still the cheapest physical option for most titles, but the price gap to Blu-ray has shrunk enough that it is worth checking both before you buy.
Why new release dvds still make sense for some buyers
A DVD works in almost any disc player, car system or older TV setup. It needs no adapter and no upgrade. If your household has mixed or older hardware, new DVDs are still the safest single choice.
When to pick Blu-ray instead
If you already own a Blu-ray player, the Blu-ray edition of a new release often costs close to the same as the DVD. It also gives a real jump in picture quality. A Blu-ray player plays standard DVDs too, so there is rarely a reason to buy both.
Check the format list on the product page before you order. Some retailers show only the DVD up front. The Blu-ray or 4K option can sit lower on the page, or on a separate listing entirely.
What to check before you buy
Look at three things before you order. Check the exact format. Check whether it is a combo pack. Check whether the listing names a confirmed street date or just an estimate. A cheap price on an unconfirmed pre-order is not a real deal until that date locks in.
A combo pack that bundles DVD, Blu-ray and a digital code often costs only a little more than the plain DVD. If you are unsure which player you will own next year, the combo pack removes that guesswork for a small extra cost.
Where to shop
Big-box retailers, media shops and online marketplaces all carry new DVDs on street date. Stock and pricing can still vary a lot. A large retailer usually has the best odds of stock on day one. A dedicated media shop sometimes carries a steelbook or exclusive variant a big-box store will not.
Compare a couple of listings before you order if the price matters to you. The same title, same format, can sit at different prices across retailers in the first few weeks after release.
Special and collector editions
Some new DVDs ship alongside a separate collector edition, usually on Blu-ray or 4K rather than DVD. A collector edition can add a slipcase, an art card or a booklet, but the movie itself is almost always the same transfer as the standard release. Buy the collector edition for the extras and packaging. It is rarely a different cut of the film, unless the listing says so.
Checking reviews before you commit
A quick look at verified buyer reviews on the product page can catch issues a press release will not mention. A damaged case or a mislabeled disc are common examples. This matters more for smaller releases. Quality control gets less oversight than a major studio title.
New release DVDs from the last four weeks
Last checked: September 25, 2026. The editorial team updates this page weekly, after each Tuesday's releases.
These are the titles that shipped on DVD in September 2026, from the DVDsReleaseDates.com calendar (checked September 25, 2026). Formats in brackets show what else each title shipped on.
- September 1: Bight (DVD); Land of Wolves (DVD, Blu-ray); Recollection (DVD, Blu-ray)
- September 8: Minions & Monsters (DVD, 4K); Supergirl (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K); Passenger (DVD, Blu-ray); Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K); Haunted Heist (DVD); Mobland: Season One (DVD); Pitfall (DVD); Tulsa King: Season Three (DVD, Blu-ray)
- September 15: Stop! That! Train! (DVD, Blu-ray); Lucky Strike (DVD); Lion Fist (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K); Two Prosecutors (DVD, Blu-ray)
- September 22: Toy Story 5 (DVD, 4K); Scary Movie (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K); Young Washington (DVD, Blu-ray); Evil Dead Burn (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K); I Love Boosters (DVD, 4K); The Secret Agent (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K); Faces of Death (DVD, Blu-ray); Landman: Season Two (DVD, Blu-ray); NCIS: The Twenty-Third Season (DVD); One Last Shot (DVD); Outlander - Season 8 (DVD, Blu-ray)
For titles shipping after this week, see the DVD and Blu-ray release schedule.
Verdict on new release dvds
New release dvds remain the safest, most compatible buy for anyone without a Blu-ray or 4K player. If you already own the hardware, check the Blu-ray price first, since the picture upgrade is usually worth a small cost difference.
FAQ
Are new release DVDs cheaper than Blu-ray?
Usually by a small margin. The gap has narrowed in recent years since Blu-ray production costs dropped.
Do all new movies still get a DVD release?
Most wide releases still get a DVD alongside Blu-ray, though some boutique or catalog titles skip DVD and ship Blu-ray only.
Should I buy the DVD if I already have a Blu-ray player?
Generally no. A Blu-ray player also plays DVDs, so buying the Blu-ray edition gets you the better picture at a similar price.