If you want to buy the new Blu-ray ofStar Wars: The Last Jedifrom Amazon, you’d better be an Amazon Prime member. The online behemoth seems to be flexing its muscles a bit, leveraging the most popular movie of 2017 in an effort to sell more Prime subscriptions.
Slate notes that thediscrepancy began a few weeks ago, when the latest Star Wars movie first became available for presale. When the home version of the movie was released on March 27, the Blu-ray disc was listed as “out of stock,” although the streaming version was available through Amazon, and many other online retailers had discs for sale.
Currently, the Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD versions are all listed as “Exclusively for Prime Members” at Amazon’s site.
It certainly doesn’t seem to be hurting sales, asThe Last Jedicurrently occupies the #2 and #5 spots on Amazon’s best-selling list. It is a minor annoyance for people who aren’t Prime members, however, and it extends to other popular franchises as well. Marvel movies are also unavailable unless you’re a Prime member, although the streaming Prime Video versions are available to anyone.
Aside from an effort to boost Prime subscriptions (the “Free Trial” offer is prominently featured for non-members when trying to order the disc), this kerfuffle is likely the latest salvo in the ongoing battle between Amazon and Disney. Several years ago,Amazon halted pre-ordersfor several Disney DVDs, includingMaleficentandCaptain America: Winter Soldier.
Afterscooping up the 21st Century Fox propertiesin a multi-billion-dollar deal, Disney has already announced plans for its owncomprehensive streaming serviceto compete directly with providers like Amazon Prime. Disney CEO Bob Iger has also said the company will be pulling all Star Wars and Marvel films from Netflix in 2019.
