Over the years, the rise of the internet seemed to be the death of physical media. What used to come from DVDs, CDs and vinyl records became easily accessible with just a click, and physical media was deemed relics of the past.  

Recently, however, physical media has made a comeback—not through the generation that grew up with it, but rather Gen Z, the generation that has had the most access to the internet. 

Everette Bolton, a senior at Sam Houston State University, says the rise of physical media from Gen Z stems from feeling disconnected and trying to find their source of identity. 

“A lot of people feel disconnected from their idols, celebrities and musicians that they are fans of,” Bolton said. “Purchasing physical media feels like a way to support whoever’s content they’re consuming while making it a part of their identity.”  

Physical media provides that sense of ownership that many don’t get from streaming platforms. Movies and music can be easily taken away, which leaves consumers without access to something they liked. On the other hand, physical media gives consumers control. 

“Having it physically, they can’t come into your home and take that from you,” Bolton said.

In the current economic state, concert tickets, merchandise and meet-and-greets have become more expensive, making physical media a more accessible way to show support. 

Lindsay Cerrato, 19, shares that it goes beyond the cost and access. Physical media changes the way entertainment is perceived, as users are seemingly more intentional with what media they consume and how they do so. 

 “It offers satisfaction of seeing my collection grow and being able to feel it rather than scrolling on a device.” Cerrato said.  

There is no denying that social media has played a big role in influencing more people to buy physical media, but Bolton and Cerrato think it’s more than just a trend; it’s here to stay. 

“I think this has a lot of staying power. The fact that vinyl records are still being pressed in 2026 shows that records are cultural, and it feels like it’s going to remain in society.” Bolton said. 

While DVDs, CDs and vinyls may no longer be the default way of consuming media and streaming continues to dominate the world of entertainment, physical media has taken the role of being a more meaningful way to consume content. 

For many, streaming is for the ease of it all, but physical media is for those who truly value the work.  

Cerrato says that the feeling of finding something you love is unmatched, “finding your favorite piece of physical media is like having a great sandwich after a pool day.”