The internet promised movie audiences that they would have access to the history of cinema with the click of a button. Yet despite the growth of subscription streaming video and transactional video-on-demand services, many movies are not available online in any form. Also, many of these films are not available for purchase on DVD or Blu-ray Disc.
Cinephiles have taken notice and are complaining about the failed promise of digital content when it comes to video entertainment.
One group, called Missing Movies, is drawing attention to the problem and working to solve it. It has put together a list of 101 prominent “missing movies.” (See articles by Letterboxd and Media Play News.)
Here are some of the movies on the Missing Movies list:
1984 (1956)
American Hot Wax (1978)
Angels and Insects (1995)
Dogma (1999)
Flirting (1991)
Girlfight (2000)
I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)
Porgy and Bess (1959)
Sleuth (1972)
Strange Days (1995)
Terror in the City (1964)
The Cardinal (1963)
The Doom Generation (1995)
The Heartbreak Kid (1972)
The Sure Thing (1985)
Union City (1980)
W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975)
The list of 101 movies is just scratching the surface. Many more movies are unavailable in any form for consumers.
Last year, I reported that 15% of the American Film Institute’s 180 Greatest Movie Musicals were not available for streaming, digital purchase, or online rental. I also reported that 15% of Paste Magazine’s list of the 100 best film noirs were not available online in any form.
On top of that, I wrote that films not available include favorites from directors Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson and more.
Hopefully the Missing Movies organization can get more of these movies available for digital distribution.
Fingers crossed!
Related articles:
Movies And Shows You Can Only Watch If You Own The Physical Copy (Looper; April 8, 2023)
6 ’80s Movies You Can’t Watch Anywhere (Best Life; Jan. 17, 2023)
Photo: Artwork from Missing Movies. (Missing Movies)
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