‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Topped Disc Sales in May; ‘Wicked: For Good’ Remains No. 1 for 2026

Why It Matters

The data underscores a sustained appetite for premium physical media, rewarding franchise power and 4K re‑releases, and shaping retail and licensing strategies in a streaming‑dominant era.

Key Takeaways

• Avatar: Fire and Ash led May 2026 disc sales by units
• Film earned $404.3 M domestic box office before disc release
• It: Welcome to Derry placed second, boosting horror series sales
• Fight Club re‑entered top ten after 4K Ultra HD Blu‑ray launch
• Wicked: For Good stays year‑to‑date #1 physical title

Pulse Analysis

Physical‑media sales remain a niche but lucrative segment, as evidenced by Circana’s May 2026 report. "Avatar: Fire and Ash" not only topped the weekly disc chart but also leveraged its $404.3 million domestic box‑office success, translating theatrical momentum into strong unit sales. This pattern illustrates how blockbuster franchises can still drive tangible product demand, offering retailers a reliable revenue stream amid streaming’s dominance.

Disney’s portfolio demonstrates the power of franchise depth. The "Avatar" release, coupled with 4K Ultra HD editions of legacy titles like "Fight Club," shows that premium formats can revive older catalogues and attract collectors willing to pay for higher‑quality experiences. Warner’s horror series and Lionsgate’s music‑themed sequel also benefited from timely releases, indicating that strategic timing and genre diversity remain key to physical‑media performance.

On a broader scale, Universal’s "Wicked: For Good" retaining the year‑to‑date No. 1 spot highlights the staying power of family‑friendly, multi‑film collections. Studios are increasingly curating bundled offerings and limited‑edition formats to sustain sales. For retailers and licensors, these trends suggest a continued, albeit specialized, market for physical discs, encouraging investment in inventory of high‑profile franchises and premium‑format reissues to capture dedicated consumer segments.