Warner to offer cheaper Blu-ray movies later this year

300 is one of the movies that will feature a lower price tag in the fall.

(Credit: Amazon)

As much as we complain about the high prices of standalone Blu-ray players, in some ways the high prices of Blu-ray movies are even more frustrating. Today, Warner Home Video has taken a step in the right direction, by announcing that the company will offer discounted pricing on select titles this fall. Blu-ray buyers can expect prices between $17 and $20, which is a lot more than DVDs sell for, but less than the $20-$30 prices Blu-ray discs currently go for.

While there isn't a complete list of movies that will be available at this lower pricing, Video Business reports that The Fugitive, Enter the Dragon, Clockwork Orange, The Shining, The Aviator, Road Warrior and Swordfish will get the discount. Additionally, some newer movies will get a smaller price cut, including 300, The Departed, I Am Legend, Ocean's 13 and We Are Marshall.

While this certainly won't make everyone run out and buy a Blu-ray player, it's definitely good news that studios are hearing complaints that Blu-ray movies are just too expensive at their current levels. Of course, we'd prefer if the prices fell below the $15 mark, which would make them feel comparatively-priced to DVDs, but we'll probably have to wait until at least 2009 to see those prices. In the meantime, at least there's always Netflix.

Sources: Video Business via High-Def Digest

[ewelch]

Wow, Warner finds its brain! It's a about time!

Now, when will the rest of the movie industry bother to open their eyes?

[punterjoe]

Meh. For a real bargain (and same lack of recent titles) just buy HD-DVDs from liquidators. I would also imagine players are dirt cheap as the people who have the 'obsolete' inventory are eager to be rid of it.
BluRay is the video equivalent of SACD. Rare, overpriced, and offering superior quality few people care about. ...then again, HD-DVD is the DVD-A of video
I'm not dumping on either format, merely stating my opinion that both never had a chance of being more than esoteric niche formats - especially at their price points & resulting low penetration levels.

[epross]

Must be nice to live in the USA and have all those market forces working for you.

In Canada, new DVDs cost about $25 ($19 on day of release) although older titles can be found anywhere between $6.99 to $25. I'd say the average is closer to $20 for most.
Blu-ray seem to sell usually for around $29-$38 but I'd say the average is about $32.
Considering that there is only about 2-3 cents difference in our dollar (and our taxes are considerably higher) us Canucks are getting ripped off. I'd love to see sub $20 DVD and Blu-Ray discs. Needless to say I don't buy many blu-ray discs.

[gsmiller88]

Oh yes because people are just lining up in department stores buying those movie titles!

[christopherafernandez]

dddddddddd

[JaturontThan]

Good to know, but I think the price should be cheaper that what it stated in this article. Thanks.

http://www.2beshop.com