As physical media continues to age, collectors are facing new challenges with the emergence of disc rot, a phenomenon affecting many beloved formats. This issue has long plagued collectors in various realms, including Laserdisc, Sega Saturn, and Dreamcast, who have become skilled in managing the subtle details of their collections. Unfortunately, modern media is now falling victim to this problem, raising concerns among avid film enthusiasts.

Recent reports indicated a troubling trend: over 600 Blu-ray titles are now believed to be impacted by playback glitches or are entirely unplayable. This situation has led to significant distress for collectors, especially as numerous popular titles from renowned distributors have been affected. Among these are well-regarded films from the Criterion Collection, including:

• 127 Hours
• Cloverfield
• Elysium
• Gone Girl
• Hellboy
• Jurassic Park III
• King Kong (Peter Jackson's version)
• The Scream trilogy
• The Witch

Criterion, a leading name in film distribution, has reported that 27 of its titles are among those facing this troubling issue. Some notable mentions include:

• 8½
• The Seventh Seal
• M
• Paris, Texas

This issue is not limited to just one specific company, though certain distributors seem to appear more frequently in the distressing reports. This growing dilemma poses a significant concern for fans who dedicate considerable resources to their collections, only to watch them potentially become mere decorative items.

A detailed compilation of currently identified defective Blu-ray titles is readily available for those interested in checking their own collections. Have you observed any signs of deterioration in your movies? Your observations could be invaluable to fellow collectors navigating this emerging crisis.