After vinyl, VHS tapes are making a comeback

You'll need a compatible VCR to enjoy the upcoming VHS releases. Image: Shutterstock

For the first time in a long time, a number of movies are set to be released on videocassette in the United States, satisfying some nostalgic fans and sparking curiosity among younger ones. And when a giant like Disney gets involved, it may well be the start of a new trend.

After the successful comeback of vinyl and the more discreet return of the audio cassette, another multimedia medium of yesteryear could be poised to return in the form of the videotape (VHS). So reports Gizmodo, with the scheduled release of certain titles, in limited editions and only in the USA for the time being.

With DVD and Blu-ray sales plummeting worldwide in recent years, and these formats undermined by the rise of video-on-demand and streaming platforms, some publishers are banking on reviving videotapes to attract users with a taste for all things retro. After all, it worked in the music industry, with the triumphant return of vinyl.

Disney led the way this year with a limited VHS edition of “Alien: Romulus.” And it's already making a splash. Other studios are already promising the release of certain titles on videotape in early 2025, such as the sci-fi feature “Y2K” and the horror film “Stream.” It should be noted that these VHS movies are offered in 4:3 format, which is now completely outdated, but which will no doubt be remembered by the older generation.

For the time being, these releases are limited to collector's editions for the nostalgic few. And you'll have to dig out your old VCR to be able to watch them. However, it's hard to imagine that releasing films on VHS will become the norm again, as this format suffers from a real quality deficit compared to more modern formats, and is obviously not suited to today's ultra-high-definition TV sets.