straight-to-video

Meaning

This expression describes a movie that is released directly to home viewing formats, like streaming or DVD, without being shown in movie theaters first. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying the film is of lower quality or lacks the budget of a major theatrical release. Today, it is also used metaphorically for any project that feels cheap or subpar.

Examples

• I thought it would be a blockbuster, but it ended up being a cheap, straight-to-video sequel.

  I thought it would be a blockbuster, but it ended up being a cheap, straight-to-video sequel.

• Don't waste your time on that movie; it has 'straight-to-video' written all over it.

  Don't waste your time on that movie; it has 'straight-to-video' written all over it.

• Back in the nineties, many action stars saw their careers decline into straight-to-video releases.

  Back in the nineties, many action stars saw their careers decline into straight-to-video releases.

• Although it was a straight-to-video release, the horror film actually developed a massive cult following.

  Although it was a straight-to-video release, the horror film actually developed a massive cult following.

• The CGI was so bad that the film looked like a straight-to-video project from twenty years ago.

  The CGI was so bad that the film looked like a straight-to-video project from twenty years ago.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The movie went straightly to video.

  ✓ The movie went straight to video.

  'Straight' acts as an adverb here; 'straightly' is incorrect in this context.

• ✗ It is a straight to video movie.

  ✓ It is a straight-to-video movie.

  When used as an adjective before a noun, the phrase should be hyphenated to show it functions as a single modifier.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The studio decided to bypass theaters entirely and release the sequel as a ___ project.

  💡 Released directly to home formats.

  Show answer

  straight-to-video

• That action film was so poorly made it felt like a cheap ___ release.

  💡 Suggests low quality and no theatrical release.

  Show answer

  straight-to-video