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Zavvi is no longer accepting orders. A notice from ZavviGroup Ltd’s Joint Administrators, Chris Skey and Kerry Bailey of BDO LLP, says they were appointed on 12 October 2026 and that the company “has ceased trading with immediate effect.” The notice says outstanding orders and pre-orders cannot be fulfilled, returns cannot be accepted, and customers should not place new orders through the website. For undelivered goods, contact your bank, card issuer or payment provider promptly to ask what recovery options may be available.
For UK shoppers, the practical alternatives depend on what you are buying: HMV and Rarewaves list physical films; ShopTo and HMV cover games and consoles; Forbidden Planet specialises in licensed collectibles, comics and genre books; and Rarewaves also carries toys, gifts and wider entertainment products. None should be treated as a direct replacement for every Zavvi listing, so check the exact edition, stock, delivery cost and terms on the live product page.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Project Hail Mary (Blu-ray) | $19.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day - 4K + Blu-ray + Digital | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Apollo 13 [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51djPxAQWQL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Apollo 13 [Blu-ray] | $5.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Interstellar (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) | $19.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu - Blu-ray + Digital | $21.77 | Buy on Amazon |
What changed at Zavvi
The retailer’s current website notice records the appointment of Chris Skey and Kerry Bailey of BDO LLP as Joint Administrators of ZavviGroup Ltd, trading as Zavvi, on 12 October 2026. It states that the company “has ceased trading with immediate effect.” The same notice says: “The Company is unable to fulfil any outstanding orders or pre-orders. Customers should not place any new orders through the Company’s website.”
The notice also says the administrators cannot accept returns. If you paid for an item that has not arrived, contact the payment provider you used as soon as possible. Your bank, card issuer or payment service can explain whether a chargeback, card-purchase protection or another recovery route may apply; eligibility depends on the payment method and circumstances.
#1 Best Overall
Do not assume that an old Zavvi product page, saved basket or search result represents available stock. The closure means a new order placed through the site should not be expected to complete.
Which retailer fits what you want to buy?
| Shopping need | Retailers with relevant current listings | Checks to make before paying |
|---|---|---|
| 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, SteelBooks and film pre-orders | HMV; Rarewaves | Exact format, edition, stock status, price, delivery charge, release date and whether the edition is exclusive |
| Games and consoles | ShopTo; HMV online | Platform, physical or digital format, edition, dispatch timing, total delivered price and current returns terms |
| Film and television figures, toys and licensed collectibles | Forbidden Planet; Rarewaves | Franchise, exact item, stock, edition, destination, delivery fee and current price |
| Comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books | Forbidden Planet | Title and edition, availability, delivery destination and any international shipping quote |
| Broader entertainment shopping | Rarewaves | Whether the particular product is available through the channel you are using, plus delivered cost and fulfilment details |
This is a category map, not a ranking. Available evidence does not establish which retailer is cheapest, fastest, most reliable or best packaged, and no independent purchase or delivery testing has been performed.
Buying 4K films, Blu-rays, DVDs and SteelBooks
HMV
HMV’s catalogue includes 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD and SteelBook releases, as well as pre-orders. Its film range includes releases from labels such as Arrow Video, Criterion, Eureka and 88 Films. That makes the site useful when you know the label or want to compare several physical editions of the same film.
Use the format shown in the product title and specifications rather than relying on a cover image. A listing may be for 4K UHD, standard Blu-ray, DVD or a bundle, and similarly named editions can have different discs or packaging. For a pre-order, record the stated release date and read the current dispatch and cancellation terms before submitting payment.
Rarewaves
Rarewaves lists film pre-orders and 4K UHD products alongside other entertainment categories. Its UK-facing site currently advertises free UK delivery on orders over £10. That threshold is a changeable offer, so confirm that it still applies to your basket and destination at checkout.
Rank #2
- It's a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn?t remember him?and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him?sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see.
Rarewaves also operates across multiple product channels. A product shown in a marketplace or search result is not automatically guaranteed to be available through every channel, so open the listing you intend to buy and check the seller, stock status and fulfilment information.
How to compare two editions
- Identify the format: confirm 4K UHD, Blu-ray or DVD, and check whether the package includes additional discs.
- Check the edition: compare standard packaging, SteelBook or a label-specific release. Look for region information, subtitles, audio tracks and listed extras when those details matter to you.
- Verify stock: “pre-order,” “in stock” and “back-order” have different implications. Do not infer availability from a category page alone.
- Add delivery: compare the final basket total, not just the product price. Include any minimum spend required for free delivery.
- Check timing: for a pre-order, note the release date and whether the retailer states when payment and dispatch occur.
Buying games and consoles
ShopTo
ShopTo is identified as a destination for games, consoles and accessories. Before ordering, match the listing to the correct platform and edition. A title may exist as a physical disc, a download code, a deluxe edition or a console-specific version; the product name alone may not make every distinction obvious.
Check whether the listing is a pre-order and what dispatch timing is stated. Compare the delivered total and read the retailer’s current returns terms, particularly for opened software, bundles, digital codes and hardware.
HMV online
HMV says games and consoles are available through hmv.com rather than for direct purchase in its high-street stores. A store can arrange a console order using hmv Delivers, but the online listing is the relevant place to check current stock, price and delivery details.
Do not assume that an item shown online is available in a nearby branch. If collecting or arranging a store-assisted order matters, ask the store about the current process and any timing before travelling.
Rank #3
Physical versus digital: a final check
- Physical game: confirm the platform, disc or cartridge format, included content and whether the product is new, used or a bundle.
- Digital code: verify the platform account and regional restrictions. A code may be non-returnable once revealed or redeemed, subject to the retailer’s terms.
- Console: check model, storage capacity, included controllers, bundled games, power requirements and delivery method.
- Pre-order: note the release date, expected dispatch window and cancellation rules. Promotional pricing may change before release.
Buying figures, toys and licensed collectibles
Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet’s official description covers merchandise, figures, toys and collectibles across film and television franchises. It also lists comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books, making it a natural place to search when your purchase is tied to a specific franchise rather than a general film catalogue.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSearch by the exact character, series and manufacturer or edition where those details are provided. Collectibles that look similar can differ in scale, accessories, packaging or release wave. Confirm the item’s availability and condition before paying.
International customers should pay particular attention to delivery. Forbidden Planet says international orders receive a shipping quote after the order is placed and that the customer must respond to the quote before billing proceeds. That means an overseas order may not have a complete delivered price at the initial product-page stage.
Rarewaves
Rarewaves lists toys and collectibles in addition to films and games. The same checks apply: verify the precise item, seller or fulfilment channel, stock status and destination charges. A broad catalogue is useful for discovery, but it does not establish that every figure or toy is immediately available.
Condition and authenticity questions
- Read whether the listing describes a new, sealed, opened or otherwise graded item.
- Check the stated manufacturer, licence and edition if authenticity or packaging matters.
- Look for quantity limits or release-wave information on scarce items.
- Photographs may be representative; rely on the written specification for scale, accessories and contents.
- Keep the order confirmation and product description until the item has been inspected, especially for a pre-order or high-value collectible.
Buying comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books
Forbidden Planet is the clearest match among the researched retailers for comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books. Search the exact title and edition, then check whether the listing is available now, a pre-order or unavailable. Omnibus, paperback, hardback and manga editions can have different contents and publication dates even when the title is similar.
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- Genre: Science Fiction
- Number of Discs: 3
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 169
- Rating: PG13
For international delivery, use the retailer’s quoted shipping process rather than estimating postage from a UK product page. The shipping quote may require a response before billing proceeds.
How to compare the real cost of an order
The displayed item price is only one part of the decision. Build the delivered total using the following fields:
| Cost or condition | Why it matters | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Item price | Different formats and editions can have different prices | Price for the exact product and quantity |
| Delivery charge | Can change the ranking between retailers | Charge for your postcode or destination |
| Free-delivery threshold | An offer may require a minimum basket value | Threshold and whether it applies to the item |
| Import or destination costs | International orders may incur additional charges | What is included at checkout and what is quoted later |
| Pre-order timing | A lower price is not useful if the release or dispatch terms do not suit you | Release date, payment timing and cancellation terms |
| Returns | Rules can differ for software, digital codes, opened goods and pre-orders | Current returns window, exclusions and process |
Rarewaves’ advertised free UK delivery over £10 is an example of a threshold that must be checked at checkout because promotions and eligibility can change. For Forbidden Planet international orders, a shipping quote may arrive only after the order is placed, so obtain and approve that quote before assuming the purchase total is final.
A practical buying checklist
- Start with the exact item. Search the film, game, console, figure or book rather than browsing only by retailer category.
- Confirm the edition. Check format, platform, region, packaging, disc count, accessories and whether the listing is physical or digital.
- Check live stock. A category listing or search snippet does not prove that a particular title is available.
- Compare delivered totals. Add postage, minimum-spend conditions and any stated destination or import charges.
- Read timing information. For pre-orders, record release and dispatch details; for consoles and collectibles, check whether the item is allocated or back-ordered.
- Review returns before payment. Pay special attention to opened software, revealed digital codes, hardware and international orders.
- Save evidence. Keep the product page, order confirmation and delivery promise until the order is complete.
- Recheck promotions. Offers and pre-order prices are temporary unless the retailer’s current terms say otherwise.
What the UK physical-film market tells you
The Film Distributors’ Association 2025 yearbook reports UK 2024 Blu-ray and 4K UHD sales of £82 million, up 5% from 2023. It also reports DVD sales of £75 million and says Blu-ray/4K UHD sales surpassed traditional DVD for the first time. These are historical UK sales figures for the reporting year, not a forecast and not evidence that one retailer has the lowest price or widest stock.
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The figures do explain why 4K UHD remains a meaningful search category when comparing physical-film retailers. They do not remove the need to verify the exact disc format, edition and availability for the film you want.
Best Value
- The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords are scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of Mandalorian Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
Questions readers commonly have
Is any retailer a like-for-like replacement for Zavvi?
No. The alternatives overlap, but their catalogues and fulfilment arrangements differ. HMV and Rarewaves provide evidence for physical films; ShopTo is oriented toward games and consoles; Forbidden Planet is oriented toward licensed merchandise, comics and genre books.
Can I assume a retailer is cheapest because it has a sale banner?
No. Compare the exact edition and delivered total, including postage and any minimum spend. A sale price can apply only to a particular format, seller, channel or limited period.
Do HMV’s high-street stores sell consoles directly?
HMV says games and consoles are available via hmv.com, not for direct purchase in its high-street stores. A store can arrange a console order using hmv Delivers, so confirm the current process with the store before visiting.
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Not necessarily. Forbidden Planet says it provides an international shipping quote after the order is placed and requires a response before billing proceeds.
Is a pre-order guaranteed to arrive on release day?
No guarantee is established here. Retailer listings provide release and offer information, but dispatch timing, stock allocation and delivery can change. Check the current listing and terms before ordering.
Bottom line
For UK shoppers replacing Zavvi, choose by product rather than by brand familiarity: HMV or Rarewaves for physical films, ShopTo or HMV online for games and consoles, Forbidden Planet for franchise collectibles and comics, and Rarewaves for a broader entertainment search. Verify the exact edition, live stock, full delivered cost, destination coverage, pre-order timing and returns terms at checkout. Zavvi’s administrators say the company has ceased trading and cannot fulfil outstanding orders or pre-orders, so do not place new orders through its website.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
