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Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens won’t be available on Blu-ray or DVD until Tuesday, April 5, but you can watch the film today — in fact, RIGHT NOW — on streaming. The seventh chapter in the Skywalker family saga is now available for purchase on VOD. No, this isn’t an April Fool’s Joke. This is really happening.

Where Can I Get My Own Digital Copy of Star Wars: The Force Awakens?

You can purchase a digital copy of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on iTunes, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, and Fandango Now. Prices vary according to definition and bonus features and across platforms. For more on this, click here.

What’s The Catch?

There’s no catch. It’s standard nowadays for studios to offer titles for purchase or pre-order on HD streaming days or weeks before they are available in physical home video form. Note: You can’t buy the SD, or standard definition version right now. You can only pre-order Star Wars: The Force Awakens in SD. That version is on average five dollars cheaper. However, if you don’t have HD capabilities on your TV, computer, or mobile streaming device, the HD version will automatically downgrade its visual component to work for you.

The Blu-ray Is Coming With All Sorts of Cool Bonus Features — Will I Get Those On VOD?

Yes! Provided that you purchase the version that comes “(with Bonus Features).”

How Does That Work?

It varies from platform to platform. For example, iTunes offers the bonus features in links to iTunes Extras, while Amazon Video tacks all the bonus features on after the credits roll on the film.

What Are These Bonus Features?

In addition to the film, you get:

Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey – an in-depth documentary about the making of the film.
About five minutes of deleted scenes
“The Story Awakens: The Table Read” – a featurette about the first table read
“Crafting Creatures” – a featurette about the rogue’s gallery of aliens on screen
“Building BB-8” – a featurette about the creation of the adorable droid.
“Blueprint of a Battle: The Snow Fight” – breaking down that final fight
“ILM: The Visual Magic of the Force” – looking at the visual effects company the original Star Wars built and their contributions to the new film
“John Williams: The Seventh Symphony” – a look at the iconic composer’s return to Star Wars
“Force for Change” – Remember those early Omaze videos from the set? This explains the charitable drive behind Star Wars.

Also: Amazon Video’s X-Ray features not only let you know which actors are playing which characters, but they feature bits of trivia and continuity goofs! Check it out:

So Are There Any Perks To Waiting Until Tuesday To Buy It On Blu-ray?

Sure. You’ll get the physical copy of the film, which is great for collectors. Also, the Blu-ray comes with a digital version so you should be able to download and watch the film on your computers or mobile devices.