If, like many collectors, you have a shelf full of DVDs, recent reports might have you wondering whether your cherished collection has fallen victim to disc rot.
Even if you're unfamiliar with the term "DVD rot," the concept may still ring a bell. Disc rot has plagued various forms of optical media for decades—LaserDiscs, CDs, and video game discs across multiple platforms—all susceptible to chemical degradation over time. This deterioration can lead to playback issues, ranging from glitches and skips to complete unreadability. While encountering disc rot is often a matter of bad luck, certain manufacturing flaws have led to more widespread issues. One such case involves Warner Bros. DVDs produced between 2006 and 2009, which have gained renewed attention in recent months.
The spotlight returned to this issue thanks to an article by JoBlo’s Chris Bumbray, who personally encountered rot in Warner Bros.-released Humphrey Bogart and Errol Flynn box sets from that era. However, this isn’t news to seasoned collectors. The problem has been thoroughly documented by Spencer Draper, a physical media expert and YouTuber known as Damn Fool Idealistic Crusader, in a detailed video from late 2021—though he acknowledges others had already begun noticing the trend earlier.
A Problem Identified—and a Studio Responds
Draper and fellow enthusiasts discovered that not all Warner Bros. DVDs from 2006–2009 were affected, but rather those manufactured at a specific facility: the now-closed Cinram plant in Pennsylvania. This link was confirmed by examining the microscopic manufacturing codes etched into the inner ring on the non-data side of the disc (more on how to check this below).
A dedicated collector of film and television across formats, Draper estimates owning between 5,000 and 6,000 titles—from VHS and LaserDisc to DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD. Given Warner Bros.’ extensive catalog, a significant portion of his DVD collection stems from this period. Upon learning of the issue, he recalled, “I did the mad panic check of every single disc, one at a time.”
The challenge with disc rot is inconsistency. As Draper explained, “Even doing a scan or attempting a digital backup wouldn’t always reveal rot. The only reliable method is watching the entire disc—feature, supplements, menus—start to finish.” He also cross-referenced reports from other collectors to identify affected titles he didn’t personally own.
Draper reached out to Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, a process he described as difficult in his initial video. However, in a follow-up, he confirmed that WB eventually sent him replacement copies for every affected title he reported—provided those titles were still in production.
IGN contacted Warner Bros. Home Entertainment for comment, receiving the following statement:
“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is aware of potential issues affecting select DVD titles manufactured between 2006 – 2009 and has been working directly with consumers on replacements or alternate solutions for nearly a decade. Any consumer who is experiencing an issue can contact [email protected]. This is not a new issue. A website recently experienced this issue themselves and decided to write a story about it (since updated) and that has caused the latest news. WBHE has been working with consumers for nearly a decade when it was first brought to our attention. We have offered replacements when possible, or an alternate title when needed. Some of the discs are now out of print or the titles no longer licensed for DVD release. In these cases, WBHE offered an alternate title as a replacement.”
This aligns closely with the statement provided to JoBlo, though it extends the affected period from 2008 to 2009—a timeframe Draper confirms matches his findings.
How to Tell If Your DVDs Are Affected
If you're concerned about your collection, start by checking the copyright year on the back of the DVD case. Only discs produced between 2006 and 2009 are potentially at risk. Outside that window, your discs should be safe—for now.
She's wearing a DVD dress, which is one thing you can do with your rotted discs. (Image credit: Matthew Fearn/PA Images via Getty Images)
If your DVD falls within the 2006–2009 range, the next step is to inspect the disc itself. Flip it over and look at the inner ring near the center hub. You’ll need a magnifying glass or smartphone camera zoom to read the tiny text. According to Draper, “If you see the letters ‘IFPI’ anywhere in the manufacturing code, there’s a strong chance it’s one of the problematic discs.”
On the other hand, if the back of the DVD case has a small blue stamp reading “Disc Made in Mexico,” you’re in the clear—those were produced at a different plant and are not linked to the rot issue.
For those who’d rather skip the detective work, Draper suggests a practical approach: “Just pop the disc in and fast-forward through the main feature and extras. It sounds tedious, but it’s one of the most effective ways to test playability.”
Draper has compiled a helpful list of known affected titles, serving as a valuable resource for collectors checking their libraries or shopping secondhand. His list is especially useful when hunting for rare releases with no modern reissues—titles that may only exist in the vulnerable 2006–2009 WB pressings.
One notable example is the DVD release of HBO’s Tales From the Crypt, which appears multiple times on Draper’s list. Due to complex rights issues, the series is currently unavailable for legal streaming, rental, or digital purchase. Worse, these Warner Bros. DVDs represent the only official physical release in history. Collectors seeking the show must risk acquiring discs that may already be compromised—or could fail unexpectedly down the line.
The Warner Bros. DVD rot issue is notably unpredictable. Unlike LaserDiscs, where rot often manifested early or not at all, these DVDs can appear perfectly functional for years before suddenly becoming unplayable. Draper cites Tarzan: Volume Two, a rare physical release of classic RKO films, as a prime example. Due to its scarcity, it commands high prices on the secondary market, yet buyers have no way to verify disc integrity—either upon arrival or in the future.
What’s the Lifespan of a Typical DVD?
Despite these concerns, large-scale disc rot remains rare. DVDs have now been around for nearly four decades since their 1996 debut, and most collections remain intact. Early production flaws did lead to some rot cases, but these were outliers.
The random cruelty of DVD rot: Your Hot Dog: The Movie disc may be just fine, but what about your copy of Aliens in the Attic...? (Image credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Sony’s official stance offers reassurance: “A typical DVD disc has an estimated life expectancy of anywhere from 30 to 100 years when properly stored and handled.” While that’s a broad range, real-world evidence supports durability. Draper notes, “I have Warner DVDs from 1997—the very first year, snapper case era—that are in perfect condition. No issues at all. They got it right from the start.”
To date, there are no widespread reports of Blu-ray rot. Recent concerns have surfaced, including isolated cases in France likely tied to a specific manufacturer, but nothing systemic. In contrast, nearly all WB-produced HD DVD titles are now unplayable—a reminder of that format’s short-lived fate.
There have been parallels elsewhere: Criterion once faced a similar issue with select Blu-rays manufactured at a single facility. The problem was limited in scope, but Criterion responded transparently—identifying affected titles and launching an exchange program with repressed discs. Warner Bros., by comparison, has not issued an official list of affected DVDs or publicly acknowledged the Cinram plant connection, leaving fans reliant on community-driven efforts like Draper’s.
Emailing [email protected] is the recommended path for replacement requests. However, Draper warns of inconsistent responses—some receive quick replies, others face long delays. Additionally, being asked for receipts (often long lost or nonexistent for gifts) creates unnecessary hurdles. While many titles have been reissued—especially through WB’s MOD (Made on Demand) program—others remain out of print due to licensing restrictions. In such cases, WB offers alternate titles, though this falls short for collectors seeking exact replacements.
Another concern: newer reissues may lack the bonus features found on older editions. Draper encountered this with the 2006 two-disc DVD of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, which includes hours of exclusive content not carried over to the film’s recent Criterion 4K UHD release—content now at risk due to disc rot.
Physical media collectors often champion discs as the most reliable way to preserve access in an unstable streaming landscape. And for the most part, that holds true. But the Warner Bros. DVD rot issue serves as a sobering reminder: even tangible formats are vulnerable—not just to time, but to manufacturing flaws buried in the past. For many, the legacy of the Pennsylvania Cinram plant lives on, long after its doors closed.
