The Final Spin: What Was the Last Movie on LaserDisc?
Long before streaming and even DVDs, a revolutionary format called LaserDisc brought movies home in a big way. This pioneering technology had its moment in the sun before being eclipsed by a smaller, cheaper rival. But what was the very last film to grace this oversized disc format before it faded into history?
In an age dominated by digital access, it's almost quaint to talk about physical media, especially formats that came before the compact disc and Blu-ray. Many people today, if you mentioned the large, vinyl-sized video platters, would probably just give you a blank stare. Most have never heard of them, which isn't surprising since their popularity was largely concentrated in specific markets, like Japan and North America.
A Pre-Digital Powerhouse
Launched in the late 1970s by MCA and Philips, the system was first known as DiscoVision before getting its more familiar name. To make a splash at its official debut, it needed a blockbuster title to prove its worth to consumers. The choice was Steven Spielberg’s thriller, Jaws, the first title ever made available on the platform. As it gained traction, viewers appreciated its superior sound and picture quality compared to its contemporaries. However, its reign was cut short by the arrival of a new challenger that was more affordable, compact (the discs were about 12 inches in diameter), offered better playback features, and had stronger industry backing.
The Final Picture Show
By the 1990s, the platform was essentially obsolete. The public hardly noticed or mourned its departure, except for a dedicated base of brand-loyal enthusiasts and collectors who had amassed collections over the years. For most people, the shift to a new standard was a welcome improvement. The system was effectively finished by 2001, though Pioneer kept making players for several more years. The last picture released on the platform in Japan was the Hong Kong action flick Tokyo Raiders in 2001. In North America, the honor went to Martin Scorsese’s drama Bringing out the Dead in 2000.
Despite its commercial fate, tech aficionados and collectors don't see the system as a failure. In fact, many of these platters are now considered rare and desirable items, particularly for specific titles that are unavailable anywhere else. For example, Disney’s Song of the South was released on the system in Japan but has never been available in any other U.S. release. While most titles have since been re-released, a surprising number remain exclusive or are incredibly hard to find on any other medium. There's also a certain charm to owning a piece of media history, especially one so significant in paving the way for future innovations.