ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Direct-to-video

Direct-to-video means that a movie, TV show, or other kind of video is made and released straight to people's homes without being shown in a movie theater or on TV first.

Usually, when a movie or TV show gets made, it is shown in a movie theater or on TV first. But sometimes, instead of being shown in a movie theater or on TV, it is released directly to people's homes on DVD, Blu-ray, or digital download.

This is called direct-to-video because the video goes straight to people's homes, without being shown in theaters or on TV first.

Direct-to-video can be a good way to make movies or TV shows that are maybe not quite good enough to be shown in theaters or on TV, but that some people might still like to watch at home.

Sometimes, direct-to-video movies or TV shows are also made because it is cheaper to make them than to show them in theaters or on TV.