Sony is deleting purchases from your PlayStation library – Are you affected? | Gaming | Entertainment

Sony has issued an update to all PlayStation Store users indicating that over 500 items have been removed from their libraries after their licences expired.

The titles include a huge slate of movies from the UK-based distribution company Studio Canal. These movies were previously available to purchase digitally via the PlayStation Store, but even those who’ve paid money to supposedly watch the titles any time they like will soon have them revoked from their library of content.

Sony’s statement reads: “From September 1, 2026, due to our content licensing agreements, you will no longer be able to access your previously purchased content from Studio Canal, and it will be removed from your video library.

The list of movies includes some pretty big hitters, including Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Total Recall, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and both Paddington movies. Let’s also not forget about A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, which is also on the list of movies set for the chopping block.

Supposed ‘owners’ of the digital media have until September 1 to enjoy their content, after which they’ll be pulled from the PlayStation Store. There will be no refunds for those who’ve purchased the soon to be delisted media.

The move has sparked a wider conversation around consumer rights when it comes to digital content, especially amidst the news that GTA 6 will only be available digitally with no physical disc on the horizon. If platform holders can waive our right to access content we’ve paid for, do we ever really own anything in the modern era?

In terms of licensing, we’ve already seen several games get taken off sale due to licensing issues – mostly to do with music. Forza Horizon 4 was famously delisted from stores back in 2024 after licenses for some of its cars, music tracks and brand deals expired.

Even GTA 5 has run into licensing issues in the past. If you load up the game today, you’ll hear some slightly different tracks on the radio stations as some have been chopped and changed over the years due to licensing deals.

It’s something to consider when moving forward as an industry, especially given how much money gamers are expected to drop on a game that they can technically see disappear in a moment’s notice.

PC gamers have been used to playing digital-only games for over a decade now, but that’s largely down to Steam’s stalwart policies when it comes to delisting games. As far as we know, Valve has only ever pulled games from player’s libraries when they’ve turned out to be fraudulent or malware.

This move from Sony sets a worrying precendent for consumers. With the future looking increasingly digital-focused, gamers will have to think long and hard about whether investing in a digital library is as worthwhile as a physical one.

Are you affected by Sony pulling Studio Canal movies from its digital library?