Reclaiming the Hunt: Why Physical Media Still Matters in a Digital World

For many decades, I have been collecting movies and music, starting in 1988, because it was all about the thrill of discovery.

Oh, boy, what a joy it was walking into a store filled with music and videos feeling almost dizzy from long alleys of pop culture calling out to me: - Please buy me!

I also loved go for a digging through dusty shelves at flea markets, stumbling upon a rare VHS or vinyl record, or finding a hidden gem in a thrift store bin. The experience was tactile, social, and full of surprises. You'd stay there for hours speaking to the owner sometimes about your passion for quirky and odd things and eventually you would bought something special in the end. It wasn’t just about owning something; it was about the story behind how you found it and the excitement of the chase.

That magic is fading

I stumbled on this particular video, Jeff Rauseo highlights a troubling trend in the entertainment industry: companies selling the same record multiple times by changing the color, adding a few bonus tracks, or releasing a "complete edition" months later. 

This is just an example of the same record in different colors. It has nothing to do with the article. 

This isn’t just a music problem -it’s happening in film, too. Instead of restoring or releasing lost or unreleased movies (like those stuck on VHS and never digitized), studios repackage the same 4K or Blu-ray titles with minor tweaks, forcing collectors to buy the same content repeatedly.

But of course there are exceptions. Some of them really do their best to satisfying with strange and rare titles. They even offer costumers subscription to their latest release and so on. But when you are trying to sell the same title many times it's not collecting. It’s exploitation.

The Corporate Takeover of Physical Media

The decline of physical media sections in major retailers like Target and Walmart is no accident. It’s part of a broader shift where corporations prioritize digital sales, subscriptions to streaming platforms, and artificial scarcity over genuine discovery. The result? A world where collectors are pushed online, where algorithms and scalpers dictate what’s available, and where the joy of the hunt is replaced by the frustration of "out of stock" notifications and repackaged products.

But there’s a resistance. As Rauseo points out, many collectors - like John in his video - are turning away from the internet and back to flea markets, thrift stores, and local shops. These spaces offer something online shopping can’t: the social experience of discovery, the special connection to physical media, and the chance to find something truly rare.

Jaws (1975) is one title that has at least 20 versions in various format available for consumers.

As a filmmaker and genre film specialist, I’ve spent years advocating for the preservation of physical media and the essence of good cinema. Projects like my Jonas Wolchers VIDEOTEK are about reviving lost or forgotten films - content that corporations often ignore because it doesn’t fit their profit-driven models. The shift Rauseo describes isn’t just about vinyl or Blu-rays; it’s about the erosion of a culture that valued patience, curiosity, and the joy of unexpected finds.

For newer generations, this is especially critical. The rise of digital consumption has led to a disconnect from the physical world, a trend I’ve criticized in my work (like the themes in Wall-E). Flea markets and thrift stores aren’t just places to find movies; they’re spaces to reconnect with the tangible, to engage with communities, and to rediscover the stories behind the media we love.

For collectors, the answer is simple: return to the roots. Seek out local shops, flea markets, and thrift stores. Support independent distributors who focus on restoring rare films rather than repackaging the same content. For filmmakers and creators, it’s about advocating for physical media preservation and pushing back against corporate practices that prioritize profit over passion.

At Ranrikestudios, we’re committed to this resistance. Whether through producing genre films (my passion in life), preserving lost cinema, or creating content that celebrates the art of discovery, our goal is to keep the spirit of collecting alive. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about owning everything - it’s about finding something that matters.

What’s your experience with collecting? Have you noticed the shift from discovery to consumerism? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss how we can reclaim the joy of the hunt.

Author: Jonas Wolcher, filmmaker and writer, specializes in genre films addressing domestic violence and political issues. Through Ranrikestudios and Dino Publishing, he creates meaningful cinema, advocating for human rights and environmental responsibility.