If you’ve missed out on catching the Gran Turismo movie in the cinema (although it’s still available in some territories) and don’t fancy some of the other online options, there’s a new way to watch it through your PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles: Sony Pictures Core.
This service is the successor to Bravia Core, a video-on-demand platform that — as the name suggests — was previously available to people who purchased Sony Bravia television sets.
It initially launched in 2021, before expanding to include Sony Xperia 5 mobile phones in 2022. Sony announced earlier this month that the service would encompass Sony PlayStation consoles too, rebranding as Sony Pictures Core at the same time.
The service is free, and only requires that you sign up on a compatible device and download the app. There you’ll have the option of buying or renting over 2,000 films, including several blockbusters from the Sony Pictures catalog.
Naturally that includes Gran Turismo, which is now available in an early access period in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — while viewers in France, Germany, Japan and the UK will be able to catch the movie soon. It’s presented in IMAX Enhanced format too, which requires a connection of 72Mbps or better to enjoy in 4K with what Sony calls “signature picture quality” at a 1.9:1 aspect ratio.
Buying the Gran Turismo movie will set you back $19.99, but it comes with an unusual perk: 750,000cr to spend within Gran Turismo 7. That’s valued at $9.99 if bought separately as a credit pack microtransaction, and it isn’t included if you spend the $14.99 to rent the movie.
There’s also some neat extras available, which include some behind-the-scenes filming, an in-depth look at the cast, the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a featurette on the cars of the film, and an easter egg video.
Players who subscribe to the higher tiers of PlayStation Plus — Deluxe and Premium — get an additional benefit through Sony Pictures Core, with a selection of 100 free titles that they can watch at any time.
Precisely what titles are available varies by region (and the app is overly sensitive to VPN use), and while Gran Turismo isn’t on the list, director Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 and Elysium are — along with a surprising number of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and Justin Timberlake flicks.
Sony is planning further Sony Pictures Core benefits for all PlayStation Plus subscribers, although it’s not clear what these will be right now.
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