You’ve got a stack of plastic cases gathering dust in the corner of your living room, don't you? It's okay. We all do. Maybe it’s that special edition of The Matrix or a random pile of early 2000s rom-coms you haven't touched since Netflix became a thing. Honestly, those discs are just taking up prime real estate. But before you toss them in the trash—which is terrible for the environment, by the way—you’re probably wondering where can you sell old dvds to actually make some beer money or clear out your closet.
The market has shifted. Big time.
Gone are the days when you could walk into a Suncoast Motion Picture Company and expect a windfall. Now, it’s a game of niche collectors and bulk resellers. If you have common titles like Inception or The Dark Knight, you're looking at pennies. But if you have out-of-print horror flicks or boutique labels like Criterion Collection? That’s where the real money hides.
The Reality Check on DVD Resale Values
Let’s be real for a second. Most DVDs aren't worth the plastic they’re printed on anymore. High-definition streaming and 4K Blu-rays have basically relegated standard DVDs to the "vintage" bin of technology. However, that doesn't mean they are worthless. It just means you have to be smart about where you spend your time.
If you’re trying to figure out where can you sell old dvds for the highest ROI, you have to categorize what you own. Check the back of the case. Is there a "Criterion" logo? Is it a "Shout! Factory" release? These are boutique labels. Collectors love them. A rare horror movie from an defunct distributor might fetch $50 on eBay, while a copy of Jerry Maguire might not even sell for 50 cents at a yard sale. Demand drives the price. Simple as that.
Decluttr: The King of Convenience
If you want the "easy button," Decluttr is usually the first stop. It’s an app. You download it, use your phone’s camera to scan the barcodes, and they give you an instant price. It’s fast.
The downside? The payouts can be insultingly low. I’ve scanned discs where they offered 15 cents. That feels bad. But if you have 200 movies and just want them out of your house without dealing with individual shipping or annoying buyers on Facebook, it’s a solid trade-off. They send you a free shipping label. You box them up, drop them at a UPS store, and get paid via direct deposit or PayPal a few days later. It’s basically the "I don't have time for this" option.
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Using eBay for Those Rare Gems
For the high-value stuff, eBay is non-negotiable.
This is where you go when you realize you own a rare anime series or a concert film that never made it to streaming services. To see what your stuff is actually worth, don't look at the active listings. People can ask for whatever they want. Look at the "Sold" listings. That is the cold, hard truth of the market.
Selling on eBay requires effort. You have to take photos. You have to write descriptions. You have to deal with the post office. But you keep a much larger slice of the pie. Pro tip: Use Media Mail. The USPS offers a specific, cheaper rate for educational materials and sound/video recordings. It takes a little longer to arrive, but it saves you a fortune on shipping costs, which keeps your profit margins from disappearing.
Local Options: Selling Old DVDs Near You
Maybe you don't want to deal with shipping at all. I get it. Packing tape is expensive and bubble mailers are a hassle.
1. Half Price Books
If you live near a Half Price Books, they are one of the last standing physical retailers that consistently buys media. You bring in your boxes, they tell you to go browse for 20 minutes, and then they offer you a cash price for the whole lot. They are notoriously picky about condition, though. If the disc has scratches or the artwork is water-damaged, they’ll hand it back to you. They are essentially buying for their own inventory, so they only want what they can actually flip.
2. Local Record Stores
Don't overlook the "mom and pop" shops. Many independent record stores have expanded into movies and video games to stay afloat. These shops often have a more curated vibe. They might not want your copy of Shrek 2, but they might jump at a collection of 1970s kung-fu movies. Building a relationship with a local shop owner can also lead to better deals if you’re a frequent flier.
3. Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor
Selling locally via apps is a mixed bag. You’ll get people asking "is this still available?" and then ghosting you. It’s annoying. However, if you list a "bulk lot" of 50 movies for $40, someone looking to stock a cabin or a library will usually snatch it up within a day. It’s a "cash and carry" transaction. No fees, no shipping, just a quick meet-up at a grocery store parking lot.
The Amazon Trade-In Trap
Years ago, Amazon had an incredible trade-in program for media. You’d get Amazon gift cards for your old movies. It was great. Nowadays, that program has been gutted for DVDs. They mostly focus on electronics and textbooks now. You can still list DVDs as a third-party seller on Amazon, but the fees and the competition from professional mega-sellers make it nearly impossible for an individual to make money. Unless you’re running a full-scale business, I’d steer clear of Amazon for selling individual used discs.
Don't Forget the Niche Markets
There are collectors out there for everything. If you have "Slasher" films, there are specific Facebook groups dedicated to physical media horror collectors. These people are enthusiasts. They care about the slipcover. They care if the original insert is included. If you have something specialized, selling to a community of fans will always net you more than selling to a general reseller.
Ziffit and Magpie (the UK version of Decluttr) are also worth checking if you’re outside the US. They operate on the same scan-and-ship model. It’s always worth checking two different "instant buy" apps because their algorithms vary. One might offer you $1.00 for a movie while the other offers $0.40. It adds up when you have a large box.
Condition is Everything
If you’re wondering where can you sell old dvds and actually get the quoted price, you have to be honest about the condition.
"Disc rot" is a real thing. It’s a chemical breakdown of the reflective layer. Look at the data side of your disc under a bright light. If you see tiny pinpricks of light or what looks like a coffee stain inside the plastic, the disc is dead. No one will buy it. Also, check for "buffing" marks. If a disc was heavily scratched and someone tried to resurface it with a machine, it can sometimes leave a hazy swirl. Collectors hate this.
Clean the cases. Get rid of the sticky residue from old price tags. Use a little bit of Goo Gone. A clean presentation can be the difference between a "yes" and a "no" at a local shop.
When Selling Doesn't Work: The Donation Route
Sometimes, the answer to where can you sell old dvds is simply... nowhere.
If you have a pile of scratched, common discs that no one wants to buy, don't just dump them. Hospitals, retirement homes, and domestic violence shelters often take DVD donations. Many of these places don't have high-speed internet or multiple streaming subscriptions for every room, so physical media is a godsend. It’s a tax write-off if you get a receipt, and more importantly, it actually helps someone.
Actionable Steps to Liquidate Your Collection
- Sort your stash. Separate the "big hits" (Disney, Marvel, blockbusters) from the "weird stuff" (documentaries, foreign films, cult classics).
- Scan with Decluttr first. Use the app to get a baseline. If they offer more than $1.00 for a disc, it might be worth checking eBay. If they offer $0.10, just throw it in the "bulk" pile.
- Check eBay "Sold" listings for any title that seems unique. Look for the "Out of Print" (OOP) status.
- Visit a local shop for the mid-tier stuff. It’s the fastest way to get cash in hand without waiting for shipping.
- Bundle the rest. List the leftovers on Facebook Marketplace as a "Lot" for a flat price.
Physical media isn't dead, but it has definitely become a collector's hobby rather than a mainstream necessity. Treat your collection like a small inventory. A little bit of research goes a long way in ensuring you don't leave money on the table.
Your DVD Selling Checklist
- Audit the discs: Check for scratches, cracks in the center ring, and disc rot.
- Verify the contents: Make sure the right movie is in the right case (you'd be surprised how often this is wrong).
- Gather shipping supplies: If selling online, buy a pack of "size 0" bubble mailers in bulk.
- Set a deadline: Give yourself two weeks to sell. Whatever doesn't sell by then, donate it to clear the mental clutter.
The market for used DVDs changes constantly based on what gets removed from streaming services. Keep an eye on the news; when a popular show leaves Netflix, the DVD price usually spikes. Patience pays off.