Microsoft shut down its movies and TV store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs today

Microsoft (MSFT) has shut its movies and TV store on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. As of today, new movies or TV shows from the MSFT Store on Xbox or Windows are no longer accessible for purchase. However, previously purchased content on devices is still accessible.

“Microsoft no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase, including movies and TV shows, on Microsoft.com, Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox” says a Microsoft support page published today. Microsoft has also said that it will not offer refunds for purchases.

MSFT and Xbox seem to be on a mission to get rid of what they call “bloat” in the corporation. In the previous year and a half, they have laid off workers four times, even though Microsoft made $171 billion in profit last year.

Microsoft’s support for playback issues 

“Downloads will continue to be available on Windows and in HD max resolution,” says Microsoft. However, to play the content that was already purchased, the owner has to use the Movies & TV app on Windows or Xbox instead of another service. 

Microsoft has officially announced the discontinuation of movies and TV series for purchase or rental through the Xbox and Windows Stores.

The decision was implemented today. pic.twitter.com/8DfFGZHEWc

— DigitaleAnimeEN (@DigitaleAnimeEN) July 18, 2025

US citizens can use Movies Anywhere to sync purchased content with other services supporting Movies Anywhere. While the company will still offer support for any playback issues with previously purchased content, users will count on MSFT to keep its servers running well into the future.

The closure of Microsoft’s Movies & TV store has been a long time coming, especially for Xbox and Windows users who have been wary since the company shut down its Groove Music service. 

The Movies & TV storefront first appeared as part of the Zune Video Marketplace, later evolving into Xbox Video, and eventually becoming the Movies & TV app and store. After years of changes and rebranding, Microsoft is finally phasing it out.

MSFT competitors step up

Microsoft is now responsible for delivering movies and TV content on Windows and Xbox to services like Amazon, Netflix, Apple TV, and others.

MSFT’s biggest competitor in video streaming, Netflix, has reported much higher profits than Wall Street expected in the April to June quarter. The corporation in Los Gatos, California, made $3.1 billion, or $7.19 per share, 46% more than last year. 

The company’s revenue went up 16% to $11.08 billion. Management also boosted their revenue prediction for the year, saying they think their content portfolio will get more subscribers in the second half than in the first. This could be possible now that Microsoft has stepped down.

“We’re really incredibly excited about the back half of this year and confident that it keeps rolling in ’26,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told analysts during a Thursday video conference.

Unlike most major tech companies, Netflix has had the benefit of peddling a service that so far has avoided being whipsawed by President Donald Trump’s fluctuating trade war. However, Trump has threatened to introduce tariffs on entertainment outside the US, which could hit Netflix especially hard because of its global reach.

In an apparent olive branch for the president, Netflix made the unusual move of citing its commitment to the US in its quarterly shareholder letter. The company disclosed that it had invested an estimated $125 billion in the US from 2020 to 2024 and cited sound stages and production facilities in New Mexico and New Jersey as examples of its ongoing expansion in its home country.

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