Zavvi is no longer a place to shop. A notice from the Joint Administrators of ZavviGroup Ltd, trading as Zavvi, says administrators Chris Skey and Kerry Bailey of BDO LLP 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, customers should not place new orders through the website, and returns cannot be accepted. If you paid for goods that were not delivered, 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 need: HMV and Rarewaves for physical films, ShopTo and HMV online for games and consoles, and Forbidden Planet or Rarewaves for licensed collectibles. None should be treated as a universal replacement, and stock, prices, delivery and terms change frequently.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Project Hail Mary (Blu-ray) | $19.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
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 |
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What Zavvi’s closure means for shoppers
The administrators’ notice is the key fact for anyone searching for a Zavvi alternative. It states: “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 same notice says the administrators cannot accept returns.
If you have an undelivered Zavvi order, save your order confirmation, payment record and any correspondence. Then contact the card issuer, bank or payment provider used for the transaction and ask about the applicable chargeback, card-purchase protection or other recovery process. The outcome depends on the payment method, timing and provider rules; a claim is not guaranteed. Do not send another payment to Zavvi or post a return to an address unless an official administrator update specifically tells you to do so.
#1 Best Overall
This guide is UK-focused and describes what the retailers’ current catalogues and official descriptions support. It does not rank them by price, dispatch speed, packaging, customer service or reliability: comparable independent evidence for those measures is not established.
Which retailer fits what you want to buy?
| Shopping need | Retailers with relevant current listings or descriptions | Check before paying |
|---|---|---|
| 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, SteelBooks and film pre-orders | HMV; Rarewaves | Exact format, edition, stock status, release date, delivery fee and whether an edition is exclusive |
| Games and consoles | ShopTo; HMV online | Platform, physical or digital format, edition, dispatch timing, delivered total and current returns terms |
| Film and television figures, toys and licensed collectibles | Forbidden Planet; Rarewaves | Franchise, character, item edition, stock, destination, delivery charge and total price |
| Comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books | Forbidden Planet | Exact title and edition, availability and the quoted international shipping cost where applicable |
| Mixed entertainment shopping | Rarewaves | Whether the item is sold directly or through a marketplace channel, plus current fulfilment and delivery terms |
This is a category map, not a quality league table. A retailer that lists films may not have the game, console or collectible edition you want, and a category page does not prove that a particular title is currently available. Use the table to decide where to begin searching, then judge the individual listing.
Buying 4K films, Blu-ray, DVD and SteelBooks
HMV
HMV’s online catalogue covers 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, SteelBooks and pre-orders. It lists releases from labels including Arrow Video, Criterion, Eureka and 88 Films, so it is a useful starting point when you need a particular physical edition rather than a general film search. Boutique-label releases can have different cuts, supplements, packaging and disc counts, so the label and edition information matters as much as the title.
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Open the individual product page and confirm the format shown in the title and specifications. “Film” can refer to different discs, a bundle or another edition. Check the stated release date for a pre-order, whether the listing says it is in stock, the delivery charge and the retailer’s current cancellation and returns terms before submitting payment. If you are replacing a missing Zavvi pre-order, do not assume another retailer will keep the same price or release-day delivery promise.
Rarewaves
Rarewaves lists film pre-orders and 4K UHD offers alongside other physical entertainment. Its UK-facing site currently advertises free UK delivery for orders over £10, but that threshold is a changeable offer: verify it in the basket and at checkout rather than assuming it applies to every item or destination. A qualifying threshold may also apply to the order total rather than each individual product.
Rarewaves also operates marketplace sales. A product appearing in a marketplace channel does not guarantee that the same item is available through every Rarewaves sales channel, so check the seller, dispatch information and returns conditions attached to the exact listing. Marketplace stock can have different fulfilment arrangements from items supplied directly by the retailer.
How to avoid buying the wrong disc
- Search the exact film title and preferred edition.
- Confirm whether the listing is 4K UHD, standard Blu-ray or DVD. A 4K disc normally requires a compatible 4K Blu-ray player and display; the listing alone does not supply that hardware.
- Check whether the product is a single disc, a multi-disc set, a steel case or a bundle, and read the regional or language information provided on the page.
- For a pre-order, record the release date shown at the time of purchase and read the retailer’s terms for dispatch, price changes and cancellation.
- Compare the final delivered total, not just the headline item price.
Do not infer that a SteelBook is automatically a different film master, or that a 4K listing includes a Blu-ray copy. Those details vary by edition and must be stated on the product page. Likewise, a “pre-order” badge is not proof that the item is guaranteed to arrive on the publisher’s release date.
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- 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.
Games and consoles
ShopTo
ShopTo is a games-and-console specialist in the researched retailer set. Use the product page to distinguish the platform, generation, edition and delivery format. A listing may be for a physical game, a digital code, a console bundle or an accessory; those products have different delivery and return implications.
For a pre-order, check when the retailer expects to dispatch and whether the displayed date is a release date or an estimated delivery date. Confirm the total including delivery and read the current returns terms, especially for opened software, redeemed codes and hardware. A download code can become non-returnable once revealed or redeemed, while a console bundle may have separate warranty and fault procedures.
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 that is different from taking the console away from store stock. Check the online listing for the exact bundle, platform, availability and delivery details. Store staff arranging an order does not establish that every online item is held in that branch.
Game-buying checks
- Platform: verify the exact console or PC platform and generation.
- Edition: compare standard, deluxe, collector’s and bundle contents.
- Format: identify a disc, cartridge, download code or account-bound digital product.
- Timing: separate the publisher’s release date from the retailer’s dispatch estimate.
- Returns: read the current rules before opening software or redeeming a code.
- Compatibility: confirm region, console model and required storage or accessories where the listing specifies them.
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 carries comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books, making it a natural destination when the collectible and the reading material are part of the same fandom.
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Search by franchise and then verify the exact character, scale, manufacturer, edition and stock status. “Available” can refer to a listing rather than immediate dispatch, so read the item’s availability wording and delivery estimate. A character name can cover several manufacturers or versions, and a product image should not substitute for the written specification.
For international orders, Forbidden Planet says shipping is quoted after the order is placed. The quote requires a response before billing proceeds. Buyers outside the UK should therefore confirm that shipping is acceptable before assuming the order is complete. The post-order quote can alter the delivered cost, so allow time to review it rather than treating the UK item price as the final amount.
Rarewaves
Rarewaves lists toys and collectibles as well as films and games. Use the same checks as for a disc: exact item, edition, stock, delivery destination, delivery fee and final price. If an item is supplied through a marketplace channel, examine the seller and fulfilment information on that listing. Two visually similar figures may differ in scale, accessories, packaging or release wave.
Rank #3
Comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books
Forbidden Planet is the clearest match among these retailers for comics, graphic novels, manga and genre books. Search the title, volume and edition rather than relying on a broad franchise search. For collected editions, confirm whether the page describes a paperback, hardcover, omnibus, boxed set or another format, and check availability before ordering. Volume numbers are especially important for manga and continuing series, where a familiar title may have several printings or collections.
International customers should factor in the post-order shipping quotation described above. The quoted amount and any destination charges can change the delivered cost substantially compared with the UK product price. If a specific cover, printing or signed edition matters, confirm that the listing names it rather than assuming the cover image guarantees it.
How to compare any listing fairly
1. Start with the exact item
Write down the title, format, platform or character and edition you want. For films, specify 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD or SteelBook. For games, specify platform and physical or digital format. For collectibles, include the franchise and version. This prevents a cheaper but different product from appearing to be a like-for-like deal.
2. Calculate the delivered total
Add the item price, delivery charge and any minimum-spend condition for free delivery. For an overseas destination, check whether taxes, duties or other import costs may apply. The advertised UK free-delivery threshold at Rarewaves is currently over £10, but it should be checked at checkout because offers change. Compare totals for the same quantity and edition; a multi-buy offer may not apply to a pre-order or marketplace item.
3. Confirm geography and fulfilment
Some listings are limited by destination or seller. International buyers should verify that the retailer will ship the item to their country and, where a shipping quote is issued after ordering, wait for and review that quote before billing proceeds. A seller’s dispatch location can affect both timing and possible destination charges.
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A sale price, release date, free-delivery threshold or exclusive-edition claim is a property of the live listing and its terms at that moment. Save the confirmation after ordering and do not assume a promotion will still apply to a later order. If the listing changes between adding an item to a basket and payment, rely on the checkout total and confirmation, not an old search result.
5. Read the returns rules for the product type
Physical discs, opened games, redeemed digital codes, consoles and collectible items can have different return conditions. Check the current retailer policy before opening packaging or activating a code. Keep packaging, invoices and delivery evidence if you may need to report damage or a missing component.
Rank #4
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Number of Discs: 3
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 169
- Rating: PG13
Why physical 4K discs still matter
The Film Distributors’ Association 2025 yearbook reports UK 2024 Blu-ray and 4K UHD sales of £82 million, up 5% from 2023. It reports DVD sales of £75 million and says Blu-ray and 4K UHD sales exceeded traditional DVD for the first time. These are historical UK sales figures for the 2024 reporting year, not a forecast and not evidence that any individual retailer is growing.
For shoppers, the figures explain why specialist catalogues continue to carry 4K UHD, boutique-label releases, SteelBooks and collector editions. They do not mean that every film is available in 4K or that a particular shop has the lowest price. The format’s continued sales also do not remove the need to check player compatibility, regional information and the exact contents of each release.
A safer ordering workflow after Zavvi
- Choose two or more relevant retailers from the category table.
- Search the exact title, platform, format or collectible edition on each site.
- Open the product page and record stock status, release date, seller, edition details and delivery estimate.
- Add the item to the basket and compare the complete delivered total, including any destination-specific charge.
- Read the current cancellation and returns terms for that product type.
- Pay using a method that gives you a clear transaction record, then save the confirmation and promised dispatch information.
- If dispatch does not occur as promised, contact the retailer promptly and retain all evidence for any payment-provider enquiry.
For a high-value console or limited collectible, take a screenshot or save a PDF of the listing showing the price, seller, availability and promised timing. This is useful if the page changes, although it does not override the retailer’s current terms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a catalogue category equals stock: verify the individual listing.
- Comparing unlike formats: a DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD disc, digital code and SteelBook are different products.
- Ignoring delivery: a low item price can become more expensive after postage or an international quote.
- Confusing release and dispatch dates: a publisher’s release date does not guarantee arrival that day.
- Assuming store and online inventory are identical: HMV says games and consoles are bought online, while stores can arrange a console order through hmv Delivers.
- Assuming every marketplace listing is equivalent: seller, fulfilment and returns information can differ.
- Treating a promotion as permanent: prices and free-delivery thresholds can change without notice.
- Overlooking edition details: a standard release, collector’s set, SteelBook and multi-disc bundle may share a title but have different contents.
- Sending an international order without checking the quote: Forbidden Planet says the shipping quote is issued after ordering and needs a response before billing proceeds.
Bottom line for UK shoppers
Do not place a new Zavvi order: the administrators say the company ceased trading with immediate effect and cannot fulfil outstanding orders or pre-orders. For physical films, compare the exact listing at HMV and Rarewaves. For games and consoles, check ShopTo and HMV online. For franchise merchandise, figures, toys, comics and genre books, start with Forbidden Planet and consider Rarewaves for additional listings. In every case, verify live stock, edition, delivered cost, destination shipping and the current pre-order or returns terms immediately before payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still place a new Zavvi order?
No. The ZavviGroup Ltd Joint Administrators’ website notice says the company ceased trading with immediate effect and that customers should not place new orders through the website.
What should I do about an undelivered Zavvi order?
Keep your order confirmation, payment record and correspondence, then contact your bank, card issuer or payment provider promptly to ask about chargeback, card-purchase protection or another applicable recovery route. Any outcome depends on the payment method and provider rules.
Where can I buy 4K films in the UK?
HMV and Rarewaves currently list 4K UHD films, alongside Blu-ray, DVD, SteelBooks and pre-orders. Compare the exact edition, stock status, delivery charge and final delivered total rather than assuming either retailer is always cheapest.
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- 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.
Does HMV sell games and consoles in its shops?
HMV says games and consoles are available through hmv.com rather than for direct purchase in high-street stores. A store can arrange a console order using hmv Delivers, so check whether you are ordering online or arranging delivery rather than collecting store stock.
Is Rarewaves’ free UK delivery guaranteed?
Its UK-facing site currently advertises free UK delivery for orders over £10, but the threshold and terms can change. Confirm eligibility in the basket and at checkout, especially for marketplace items or different destinations.
Where can I buy film and TV figures or collectibles?
Forbidden Planet’s official description covers merchandise, figures, toys and collectibles across film and television franchises. Rarewaves also lists toys and collectibles. Check the exact character, manufacturer, edition, seller, stock and delivery details on the individual listing.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow does international shipping work at Forbidden Planet?
Forbidden Planet says international orders receive a shipping quote after the order is placed, and that the quote requires a response before billing proceeds. Review that quote before assuming the order is complete or calculating the final cost.
Are marketplace listings on Rarewaves the same as direct listings?
Not necessarily. Marketplace sales do not guarantee that every product is available through every Rarewaves channel. Check the seller, dispatch information, fulfilment arrangement and returns conditions attached to the precise listing.
What should I check before ordering a game pre-order?
Confirm the platform and edition, whether it is physical or digital, the stated release date, the retailer’s dispatch estimate, the complete delivered price and the current cancellation and returns rules. Opened software and redeemed codes may have different conditions.
Do UK sales figures prove one retailer is best for 4K films?
No. The Film Distributors’ Association reports £82 million in UK Blu-ray and 4K UHD sales for 2024, up 5% from 2023, with DVD at £75 million. Those historical market figures do not rank retailers or establish their prices, speed or service.
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Zavvi has ceased trading, so use HMV or Rarewaves for physical films, ShopTo or HMV online for games and consoles, and Forbidden Planet or Rarewaves for collectibles and genre books. Check the exact edition, live stock, seller, delivery destination, full delivered cost and current returns terms at checkout.
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.
