The British Video Association revealed 51.7m DVDs were sold during the third quarter - the sector's best-ever performance in the period, up 6.5% on the quarter in 2007.
Sales of 161.8m DVDs for the year to the end of September were part of a total rise in video sales of 7.4% on the same period in 2007. Cinema also posted its best performance in 40 years at 53.6m admissions - up 6% year on year.
'In times of hardship, consumers turn to home entertainment and cinema for comfort,' said Lavinia Carey, director general of the British Video Association.
DVD rental and retail chain Blockbuster is looking to capitalise on the trend by securing exclusive distribution deals on DVDs such as The Happening.
The figures follow a series of strong results from fast-food brands, as analysts suggested that the era of healthy eating and restaurant dining was giving way to one of quick, cheap food. Domino's cited families staying in as key to its 17.8% sales hike, while sales of take-away fish and chips have risen for the first time in five years, and McDonald's and Burger King results are on the rise.
Earlier this year, The Sun reported on an emerging 'Bed-it crunch', suggesting those with limited cash are spending more time in the bedroom.
However, not all consumers are opting for home comforts. Davina O'Donoghue, founder of Evo Research, said behavioural patterns recorded in the Depression era of the 30s revealed that economic insecurity often produces recklessness.
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