This article includes instructions on how to watch Blu-ray and DVD movies on the X box Series X or S as well as instructions for streaming movies.

What to Know

  • Xbox Series X can play Blu-rays and DVDs with its 4K UHD Blu-ray drive and the free Blu-ray Player app.Xbox Series X and S can stream movies with a variety of apps.You can also buy and rent movies from the Xbox store on your console.

How to Watch Blu-ray and DVD Movies on Xbox Series X

While the main purpose of a game console is always games, you can watch movies on an Xbox Series X or S through a number of different methods. If you download an optional Blu-ray player app, you can use your Xbox Series X to watch DVD and Blu-ray movies on its 4K UHD Blu-ray drive.

Here’s how to watch Blu-rays and DVDs on your Xbox Series X:

Since the Xbox Series S is a digital-only console, this option isn’t available for it.

  • Press the Guide button and select Store.
  • Select the Search function.
  • Type Blu-Ray Player.
  • Select Blu-Ray Player from the search results.
  • Select Get or Install.
  • Insert a disc into your Xbox Series X.
  • Launch the Blu-Ray Player app.
  • Your disc will start playing just as if you were using a standalone Blu-ray or DVD player.

How to Control the Blu-ray Player App

You probably don’t have a remote for your Xbox Series X, but your Xbox controller can serve the same purpose easily enough. Functions like fast forward, rewind, and pause are all mapped to buttons on the controller, making it easy to skip over parts you don’t want to see or go back to something you missed.

Press the Guide button and select Store.

Select the Search function.

Type Blu-Ray Player.

Select Blu-Ray Player from the search results.

Select Get or Install.

Insert a disc into your Xbox Series X.

Launch the Blu-Ray Player app.

Your disc will start playing just as if you were using a standalone Blu-ray or DVD player.

Here’s how to control the Blu-Ray Player app on your Xbox Series X console:

  • Play/Pause: X buttonBack one chapter: Left bumperForward one chapter: Right bumperFast forward: Right triggerRewind: Left triggerAccess on-screen controls: B button

How to Stream Movies on Xbox Series X and S

In addition to physical Blu-ray and DVD discs, the Xbox Series X also allows you to stream movies and TV shows through a variety of different movie streaming services. The Xbox Series S, which can’t play Blu-rays and DVDs due to the lack of a disc drive, can stream using all of the same apps and services as the Xbox Series X.

Here’s how to stream movies using your Xbox Series X or S:

Streaming apps are free to download on the Xbox Series X and S, but some require a paid subscription to watch.

  • Open the Store on your Xbox Series X or S, and select the Search function.
  • Type the name of the streaming service you want.
  • Select the streaming app from the search results.
  • Select Get or Install.
  • Launch the app, select the movie you want to stream, and start watching.

How to Purchase or Rent Movies on Xbox Series X or S

In addition to streaming services, you can also purchase and rent movies directly from Microsoft through your Xbox.

Open the Store on your Xbox Series X or S, and select the Search function.

Type the name of the streaming service you want.

Select the streaming app from the search results.

Launch the app, select the movie you want to stream, and start watching.

Here’s how to rent or buy movies on your Xbox Series X or S:

  • Open the Xbox Store.
  • Scroll down to the movies section, and press X on the controller to display all of the available movies if you don’t see anything interesting.
  • You can also use the search function if you’re looking for a specific movie.
  • Select the movie you’re interested in from the list.
  • Select BUY IN UHD or RENT IN UHD, or select CHOOSE FORMAT to select a different format.
  • Complete the purchase by entering your billing details if necessary.
  • Watch your movie.

Open the Xbox Store.

Scroll down to the movies section, and press X on the controller to display all of the available movies if you don’t see anything interesting.

You can also use the search function if you’re looking for a specific movie.

Select the movie you’re interested in from the list.

Select BUY IN UHD or RENT IN UHD, or select CHOOSE FORMAT to select a different format.

Complete the purchase by entering your billing details if necessary.

Watch your movie.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day