Sony wipes 551 movies from PS libraries, leaving users without content or refunds
Sony’s decision to remove content from PlayStation libraries is prompting users to buy physical copies.
-
Starting September 1st, 2026, Sony will remove 551 purchased movies and TV shows from PlayStation Store libraries in Europe and the UK due to licensing issues with Studio Canal.
-
Despite users having paid for this content, Sony's terms of use say purchases don't constitute ownership, so no refunds or compensation are being offered.
-
The move has reignited debate around digital ownership, with consumers saying they are returning to physical media to avoid losing content they've paid for.
Sony has informed users who bought movies from the PlayStation Store that they will no longer be able to watch them. The change will take effect on September 1st, 2026.
The news was shared by a Sony customer on the social platform X, where they posted the message they received from the company.
The notifications revealed that “due to [...] content licensing arrangements,” users will no longer be able to watch Studio Canal content they have previously purchased. The content will also be removed from their library.
The company ended the message with a link to the list of “affected titles.”
The list of 551 movies and TV shows is now available on the PlayStation site. These include movies like Terminator 2, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Total Recall, Mulholland Drive, and more.
Buying doesn’t mean owning
Despite users having purchased these movies, the company didn’t provide any information about a possible refund or compensation, hinting that there won’t be one.
This could be due to the company’s End-User License Agreement (EULA), which users see and agree to while in the PlayStation Store.
The agreement states that the purchase the user made doesn’t mean they own this content, and it can be removed without any compensation. The same is applied to PlayStation games, Kotaku noted.
Not all Sony markets are affected by the change. It’s been reported that the movie deletion will take place in Europe and the UK, with users in the US being unaffected.
The soon-to-be-removed content is being distributed by Studio Canal, the French film and television production and distribution company.
More users shift to DVDs
The news that Sony removed content users had paid for sparked online discussion, with many sharing that they had returned to buying physical copies of movies, TV shows, and games.
“Anyone buying digital movies is a fool, can't remove these from me,” wrote one user on X, adding a picture of their DVD library.
Strong password generator
“This is why I’ve stopped buying digital products. They can remove them from you at a moment’s notice. Don’t give them your money, just buy physical, then you can choose to keep it forever or sell it,” wrote another user on X.
“‘Play has no limits,’ right after they tell you you aren’t allowed to watch the stuff you already bought, is so funny,” added another user, referring to the company’s slogan at the bottom of Sony’s notification to users.
Some users hinted that, due to situations like this, more consumers might switch to piracy.
“Piracy is the way,” wrote one X user.
“[...] That’s why physical is king. No one can take it,” added another user.
This isn’t the first time Sony has removed content from its PlayStation libraries. In 2022, the company faced the same licensing issues with Studio Canal, prompting the removal of movies from users' libraries in Austria and Germany.
FAQ about Sony removing content from PlayStation libraries
When will Sony delete certain movies and TV shows from PlayStation libraries?
The change will take effect starting September 1st, 2026.
What movies and TV shows are being deleted by Sony?
Sony is deleting 551 movies and TV shows, including Terminator 2, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Total Recall, and Mulholland Drive.
Which countries are affected?
The change will affect PlayStation users in Europe and the UK, while users in the US get to keep their content library.
Unlock more exclusive Cybernews content on YouTube.
