What would you do if you lose your entire collection?

[Carlos2992]

I was wondering the other day what would I do if I lose my entire collection. I have been collecting movies since 1999, I have like 3000+ movies ( mostly blu rays ) and a lot, A LOT of limited editions, rare ones, oop, Arrow, steelbooks, boxsets, etc, and I was wondering what would I do if I lose it entirely in like a fire for example.

I think that that would be the end for me as a hardcore collector, re buy a collection like mine at least for me, would be almost impossible, first of all because many editions are really hard to get and if I'd find them again, they are really pricey, so I think that I would focuse more on only buying and re buying the movies I really re watch more than once and not in fancy or expensive ( collectibe ) editions such boxsets, limited editions, rare slipcovers, or steelbooks-

So, what would you do?

[imsounoriginal]

I'd re-buy a relatively small number of physical copies that I consider essential, and would buy physical copies of some new releases as time goes on. But the rest I'd just transition to (*gasp*) streaming. I don't have the time or energy or patience (or even the money) to re-buy everything.

[Cremildo]

I would have a serious nervous breakdown.

And then I'd try to re-buy the most essential and cherished titles - which would take years. There's no way in hell I'd have the money or the patience to re-buy everything.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

It's just stuff. I'd replace the dozen movies I truly love and move on.

I have a friend who is extremely wealthy and who lives very simply. Recently, he told me he'd prefer to spend his money on experiences rather than things. Personally, I don't derive that much happiness from owning movies. The anticipation and discussion in these threads are usually more long-lasting than the joy of owning and watching the movie.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Carlos2992

I was wondering the other day what would I do if I lose my entire collection. I have been collecting movies since 1999, I have like 3000+ movies ( mostly blu rays ) and a lot, A LOT of limited editions, rare ones, oop, Arrow, steelbooks, boxsets, etc, and I was wondering what would I do if I lose it entirely in like a fire for example.

I think that that would be the end for me as a hardcore collector, re buy a collection like mine at least for me, would be almost impossible, first of all because many editions are really hard to get and if I'd find them again, they are really pricey, so I think that I would focuse more on only buying and re buying the movies I really re watch more than once and not in fancy or expensive ( collectibe ) editions such boxsets, limited editions, rare slipcovers, or steelbooks-

So, what would you do?

I would hunt you to the ends of the earth for retribution

[The Great Owl]

I would replace my top 10 movies right off the bat.

After that, I would replace other essential favorites.

After that, I would buy any movie that I even remotely liked in the past.

After that, I would carefully choose blind-buy purchases.

After that, I would blind buy anything and everything with the following words in the movie description: “film noir”, “giallo”, “spaghetti western”, “heist”, “RKO Pictures”, “CinemaScope”, “Roger Corman”, “drive-in”, “exploitation”, “cheerleaders”, “shark”.

[Dirk504]

I would be really upset, then probably just start again from scratch, buying The Lost Boys first. But it’s still just material stuff at the end of the day.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by the great owl

after that, i would blind buy anything and everything with the following words in the movie description: ...“cheerleaders”, “shark”.

Lol!

[jthefrank]

I'd probably call it a day. Maybe identify a "top 100" and slowly work at re-building that.

[NeMo_ET]

It's doubtful that insurance would cover the replacement cost of everything in most of our collections (OOP, limited editions, etc.). It sounds horrible, but I haven't been buying nearly as much physical media lately. The occasional title I still buy, but it's a small fraction of what I used to buy. Storage is becoming an issue and the streaming/digital is just so convenient. I'd likely re-buy a select group of essential movies and then start replacing with digital copies if not available via streaming. I'd basically buy them as I want to watch them. Overall, I'd be extremely upset and it would be a huge loss, but in the end I would just need to adapt and restructure.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Carlos2992

I was wondering the other day what would I do if I lose my entire collection. I have been collecting movies since 1999, I have like 3000+ movies ( mostly blu rays ) and a lot, A LOT of limited editions, rare ones, oop, Arrow, steelbooks, boxsets, etc, and I was wondering what would I do if I lose it entirely in like a fire for example.

I think that that would be the end for me as a hardcore collector, re buy a collection like mine at least for me, would be almost impossible, first of all because many editions are really hard to get and if I'd find them again, they are really pricey, so I think that I would focuse more on only buying and re buying the movies I really re watch more than once and not in fancy or expensive ( collectibe ) editions such boxsets, limited editions, rare slipcovers, or steelbooks-

So, what would you do?

I would rebuild the collection but in a more streamlined manner with only the more "must-have" titles in my collection. I've been going in that direction lately anyway, selling off a bunch of stuff as my collection had become quite bloated.

I do not collect special packaging, limited editions, etc so that wouldn't be a concern for me very much. It might be pricey to re-acquire some of the sold-out Twilight Time movies I'd want to keep but that's it.

It would probably be really liberating to lose it all to be quite honest. It might cause me to re-evaluate what I value in life.

[horroru]

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

It's just stuff. I'd replace the dozen movies I truly love and move on.

Agreed, I've spent a lot of time and money on my collection, I'd replace films that I revisit a lot.

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

I have a friend who is extremely wealthy and who lives very simply. Recently, he told me he'd prefer to spend his money on experiences rather than things. Personally, I don't derive that much happiness from owning movies. The anticipation and discussion in these threads are usually more long-lasting than the joy of owning and watching the movie.

For me it's different, I do derive a lot of happiness from my movie collection - but it's happiness derived from sharing them with others.
I have "movie nights" constantly with: 1. My wife and kids, 2. With my friends from work 3. With my friends from college/comic book store/lifelong friends.
So I end up watching movies that I buy multiple times right away, and I love the reaction and discussions we have after the viewing. Plus I love noticing things I hadn't noticed first time around.
Just curious if I'm an outlier on this type of thing or if many of you have multiple movie nights with family and friends.
Sorry to get a bit off topic, but again, I'd just rebuy the movies I love and get the most replay value from.

[InuYashaCrusade]

I wouldn't rebuy it. I've had to rebuy most of my collection over the last year or two and I'd never do it a third time. I'd go 100% digital if I liked it or not.

[WrathOfHan]

I'd rebuy my essentials, but I'd say at least a quarter of my collection wouldn't be rebought.

[drush9999]

I'd cry for a few weeks.
Then look forward to building my collection again.
Collecting is more fun than having the collection

[cynatnite]

After an acceptable period of mourning, I would rebuy the stuff I really love. Much of it I could never replace because some of what I've got is OOP. The steels I wouldn't try to because some of them are pretty hard to find.

It's just a matter of starting over. It happens.

[mysticwaterfall]

I would cry. Then I would rebuy the essentials, even though the steelbooks and whatnot would be a lost cause.

[Donnie D]

Whoa, this has got me thinking. I would do like most collectors here and replace essentials I watch a lot (hmm, maybe Donnie Darko) and start replacing others when they are affordable/go on sale. I look for good transfers in whatever editions.
I have a huge collection now I've accumulated over the years. Obviously not all of it I'd watch again, but I love having them around.
As I've gotten older and have no one around, I like having movies to look forward to.

[Bumblefeet]

I'd have a friend start one of those sobbing crowdfunding deals and have you lovely people buy me a new collection and a vibrating massage chair

P.s. Only money accepted, I don't want your DNA on my collection

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

Personally, I don't derive that much happiness from owning movies. The anticipation and discussion in these threads are usually more long-lasting than the joy of owning and watching the movie.

I don’t derive happiness from my Blu-ray collection.

I derive happiness from my accomplishments. Training for and running marathons makes me happy. Earning a good work evaluation at the end of the year makes me happy. Graduating from college made me happy. Mowing a lawn makes me happy.

I do, however, derive pleasure from my Blu-Ray collection. There’s a difference between happiness and pleasure. There’s nothing wrong with merely deriving pleasure from something. Things that provide pleasure can brighten one’s day, and that’s all good.