Links

Specialty DVD Distributors

Companies that license overlooked and out-of-print titles from the back catalogs of the major studios for release on DVD. These releases are usually remastered and often feature supplemental material.

Burn-on-Demand Discs

The major film studios have started experimenting with this method of delivering deep vault titles to niche customers via burn-on-demand DVD-Rs. The discs typically feature nothing but the movie and a simple menu. These type of services allow diehard genre fans to obtain quality copies of films that the studios believe would not sell enough copies to justify a standard DVD release.

Vendors of Rare and Out-of-Print Films

For those hard-to-find titles that Amazon doesn't carry, you may have to settle for a less polished alternative. Most of these sites specialize in films that have fallen through the cracks and have never received a proper release from any authorized DVD distributors. Copies are typically sourced from privately owned film reels or out-of-print VHS tapes, and offered on limited-run DVDs or made-on-demand DVD-Rs.

I can't personally vouch for the reliability of each site. It's always good practice to familiarize yourself with the company's shipping rates and return policies before placing an order. Most sites will give details about the source, picture quality, and format of each release, but don't be afraid to e-mail them with any questions about a title they're offering.

Noted Independent Video Stores

These places all offer something more than just the typical home video fare found at the big rental chains. They boast large selections of independent cinema, foreign films, documentaries, arthouse titles, and cult classics. The majority of them also carry rare, import, and out-of-print selections that Netflix doesn't stock. Some of them even offer VHS rentals of films still not on DVD yet!

While media headlines keep predicting the death of brick-and-mortar rental stores, these neighborhood strongholds persevere by offering vast libraries, a dedicated and knowledgeable staff, and a unique local identity. This is just a short list of some renowned examples; there are dozens more in cities across the country. If you're fortunate enough to live near such a resource, then support your local indie video store!