The Game of Thrones Season 8 Blu-ray and DVD releases have been on the market for a few weeks now and they’re already breaking records. Despite streaming services obviating the need of physical media for many, season eight is officially a best-seller!
According to specialist website MediaPlayNews, on the week of its release on December 3, Game of Thrones: The Complete Eighth Season “topped the NPD VideoScan First Alert chart, which tracks combined DVD and Blu-ray Disc Unit sales,” as well as “the dedicated Blu-ray Disc sales chart.” The final season of Game of Thrones won over Angel Has Fallen, which even in its second place sold only “38% as many copies as Game of Thrones.”
The Blu-ray versions accounted for a slight majority of the sales over the older DVD format; for a ratio of 53%/47%, specifically. The 4K Blu-ray subset enjoyed a respectable 10% of overall sales, which is quite impressive for such a new, expensive format.
One would think the criticism season eight received would be reflected on its home media sales, but it seems loud online fan discourse doesn’t reflect the reality of potential buyers. As per MediaPlayNews, to find a TV show on top of the disc sales charts is “a rarity” in these days of streaming, when almost anyone can rewatch the season online.
Of course, getting the Blu-ray is the only way to get all the juicy extras, from commentary tracks and making-of docs to narrated “Histories & Lore” features; not to mention a consistent HD picture quality not dependant on the whims of your Internet Service Provider. Personally, I’m particularly eager to experience “The Long Night” as I originally did: with its untouched painterly quality and no crushed blacks!
