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Since Apple has stopped building DVD drives into the MacBook Pro/Air and many other newer Mac computers, if you want to watch DVDs on your Mac, the other two ways to do it are to use an external DVD drive or to use a DVD player software, respectively. To help you choose among the many DVD player software on the market, this article will list the top 7 DVD players for MacBook Pro and their detailed information for you. Read on and choose the one that suits you best.
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| Supported Latest macOS | Best For | Price | Blu-ray Support | Chip Compatibility | Ads | Region-Free | ISO Support | Retina/XDR Optimized | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DVD Player for Mac | macOS Tahoe 26 / Sequoia | Basic playback of physical discs | Free (Pre-installed) |  |
Native (Apple Silicon) | |
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| AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player | macOS Tahoe 26 / Sequoia / Sonoma | 4K Blu-ray & Home Theater Experience | Paid (Free Trial) |  |
Native (M1/M2/M3/M4) | |
(Regions 0-6) |
|
(High-Res) |
| QuickTime | macOS Tahoe 26 / Sequoia | Watching simple .MOV or .MP4 clips | Free (Pre-installed) | |
Native (Apple Silicon) | |
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| MPlayerOSX | macOS Sonoma (Legacy) | Simple, distraction-free interface | Free | |
Intel (Rosetta 2) | |
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| VLC Media Player | macOS Tahoe 26 / Sequoia / Sonoma | Bypassing region codes for free | Free | (Requires Plugins) |
Native (Universal) | |
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(Deinterlacing) |
| Macgo Mac Media Player | macOS Sequoia / Sonoma | Smooth playback on older MacBook models | Free (Basic) | |
Native (M1/M2/M3) | |
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| 5KPlayer | macOS Tahoe 26 / Sequoia | Wireless streaming & DRM-protected DVDs | Free | |
Native (Updated 2026) | |
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When your MacBook Pro comes with a DVD driver, you only need DVD player software to play DVDs. The following 7 DVD players include a built-in Mac program for MacBook Pro, so no additional installation files are required. Six other popular Mac DVD players (free and paid) also allow you to enjoy DVDs.
Overall rating: 4.7
Apple DVD Player is the default DVD player on Macs. It can play DVDs or DVD movie files stored on your computer. It supports DVD standard features and is widely compatible, but it frequently encounters problems with region coding restrictions and copyright copy protection. Moreover, it may not recognize video content burned on some DVD-RW discs or support .ISO and .VOB files directly. On modern MacBook Pro screens, its lack of advanced deinterlacing can lead to lower playback quality compared to specialized third-party apps.
PROS
CONS
Overall rating: 4.9
AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player is a professional, Native Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) DVD playback tool for MacBook Pro. This region-free DVD player can play DVD movies from any region (1-6) without any hardware changes. Its lossless 4K video playback quality and studio-quality sound can enhance your viewing experience significantly. It is fully compatible with macOS Sonoma and Sequoia, ensuring that DVD content is optimized for Retina displays with smooth, high-definition clarity on the latest MacBook Pro and Air models.
Main Features:
PROS
CONS
Overall rating: 4.6
QuickTime is a default DVD playback software built into the MacBook Pro and bundled with the Mac operating system. While it can play a variety of sources and many media file formats, it often fails to recognize DVD menus, .VOB files, or .ISO images. Its playback controls allow you to play, pause, fast-forward or rewind, and it can also stream content via URL. However, as it is not a dedicated DVD tool, it does not bypass region locks or offer the image enhancement features needed for the best experience on high-resolution MacBook screens.
PROS
CONS
Overall rating: 4.6
MPlayerOSX is an open-source media player. Like other DVD players for MacBook Pro, this program can play any video file, including DVDs, CDs, and many other formats. It includes useful features such as loading subtitles, denoising, and filters that can improve the look of older DVDs. However, it has some drawbacks, such as the inability to save playlists and potential performance limitations if running via Rosetta 2 on newer M-series chips. It also lacks the automated region code bypassing found in more modern players.
PROS
CONS
Overall rating: 4.8
VLC Media Player is one of the most popular Native Apple Silicon DVD players for Mac. It is free, open-source, and uniquely not limited by region codes, making it the perfect "region-buster" for international discs. It supports almost all formats, including .ISO, .VOB, and streaming media. Whether you are using macOS Sonoma or Sequoia, VLC’s professional deinterlacing filters ensure that standard DVDs look crisp and clear on Retina displays, solving the common issue of "jagged lines" in motion scenes.
PROS
CONS
Overall rating: 4.7
Macgo Mac Media Player is a powerful MacBook Pro/Air DVD player from Macgo that supports virtually all media formats. It supports up to 1080p clarity and the DTS 5.1 audio system, utilizing hardware acceleration specifically for Apple Silicon to enable smooth DVD viewing without draining your battery. It works seamlessly on all MacBook series as a dedicated DVD player, bypassing the format errors often found in native Apple apps and delivering high-quality visuals optimized for the latest Mac hardware.
PROS
CONS
Overall rating: 4.5
5K DVD Player is a media and music player that supports users reading all-region HD DVDs on MacBook, including ISO image files and other digital media. It is not affected by region codes, Disney DRM, DVD CSS, or Sony ARccOS, making it a robust solution for encrypted discs. Optimized for macOS Sonoma, 5KPlayer offers a wide range of multimedia features, including the ability to upscale and render DVD content more effectively for the MacBook Pro’s Retina Display.
PROS
CONS
Preparation for playing a DVD on your MacBook Pro includes the following steps:
1. Check device configuration.
2. Prepare DVDs to be played.
3. Install a third-party DVD player.
4. Connect an external DVD drive (if necessary).
Confirming the MacBook Pro's model is the first step in checking the device configuration. Since Apple has discontinued the built-in DVD player in the MacBook Pro, users need to verify if their MacBook Pro still has a built-in DVD drive. An external USB DVD drive is required to play DVDs for models without a built-in optical drive.
Below, we will summarize some of the MacBook Pro device models with and without a built-in optical drive:
| MacBook Pro models with built-in optical drive |
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| MacBook Pro models without built-in optical drive |
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Although new MacBook Pros in recent years have eliminated design features such as the built-in optical drive for thinness, portability, and performance, there is no need to worry that they won't be able to play DVDs. You can still play DVDs properly using suitable external DVD players as optical drives! The following are two representative external DVD players that can serve as optical drives:
Apple USB SuperDrive
Price: $49.99
Main Features:
It is also the compact USB SuperDrive designed by the Apple team. It can play and burn CDs and DVDs directly and create backup discs. Its outlook is slim, making it lightweight and able to be carried anywhere, taking up less room. In addition, this DVD drive is easy to set up and use, and the quality and speed are excellent.
ASUS Slim External Drive
Price: $47.66
Main Features:
The Slim External Drive by Asus operates slightly differently than the Apple products mentioned. It has a DVD tray instead of a regular DVD slot, so you must press a button to insert a DVD. Furthermore, the ASUS external DVD drive has an 8xDVD write speed for a complete, easy-to-use backup solution.
Here, to play DVDs on a MacBook Pro smoothly, we will take AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player as an example to show you the steps.
1. Download the DVD player.
Click the Free download button below to download and install this DVD player program on your Mac. It is compatible with MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, etc., and can be used on almost all Mac computers.
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Tip: If your Mac computer does not have a built-in DVD drive, you should get an external DVD drive, such as an Apple USB SuperDrive or another, to insert the DVD.
2. Load the DVD.
Click Open Disc to locate and add the DVD you want to play. This player also supports DVD folders and ISO files, so you can open them directly on a Mac without a DVD drive by clicking Open File.
3. Play the DVD.
After loading successfully, it will start playing automatically. Then, you can select the DVD chapter, audio, subtitle, and title and control the playback via the settings on the top menu bar.
If you are using a MacBook Pro equipped with a Liquid Retina XDR display, choosing a DVD player for MacBook Pro that supports HDR and high-bitrate playback, such as IINA, is a game changer. These advanced players can significantly enhance your viewing experience, making aging DVD footage look more textured, vibrant, and refined on your high-end screen.
Does the New MacBook Pro have DVD drives?
No. Only the 13-inch MacBook Pro has an optical drive to insert a DVD.
Does the MacBook Pro have a DVD player?
Yes. Apple sells an external USB SuperDrive that connects to any MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Once you insert a DVD into the external drive, it will play the DVD files.
How can I play a DVD on my Mac without a DVD drive?
How can I play a DVD on my Mac without a DVD drive?
1. Buy an external USB SuperDriver to insert and play the DVD.
2. Rip DVDs into Mac-supported formats like MP4, MOV, etc., and play them directly with a Mac media player, such as AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player.
Can I play DVDs on MacBook Pro without a remote drive?
No, modern MacBook Pro models (post-2012) do not have a built-in disc slot. To play a physical disc, you must use an external DVD drive (like the Apple USB SuperDrive) or a third-party USB drive.
Why is my Mac DVD player not working?
This is usually caused by power issues, region code restrictions, or software conflicts. Common reasons include:
• Insufficient power: External DVD drives often need more power than a single USB port provides. Try plugging your MacBook into a power outlet or connecting the drive directly to the Mac instead of using a USB hub.
• Region code mismatch: If your DVD is from a different country, the Player app will ask you to change the drive's region. Note that you can only change this 5 times before it locks permanently.
• Dirty or damaged disc: Scratches or dust can prevent the laser from reading the disc. Try cleaning the DVD with a soft, lint-free cloth.
• System permissions: Sometimes macOS "Disk Utility" needs to repair disk permissions, or the DVD Player app simply needs a restart.
Is there a free DVD player for Mac?
Yes, there are several excellent free options available: Apple DVD Player, VLC Media Player, and 5KPlayer.
If you are still using the old version of the MacBook Pro before 2016, you can watch DVD movies simply by downloading the DVD Player from your MacBook Pro. However, when you get the new version of the MacBook Pro without a DVD driver, the external DVD player for the MacBook Pro is also required for DVD playback. This article lists the seven best DVD players on MacBook Pro and compares their basic information for your reference. If you have other favorite DVD players, you can also share them with us in the comments!
Among the DVD players for MacBook Pro mentioned above, AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player is the best choice! Its interface is clear and easy to use, and its region-free feature can access any DVD, DVD folder, DVD ISO image file and DVD IFO file on Mac computers running macOS Tahoe 26 and previous versions. Now, click the download button below and try it for free!
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Updated by Ted Klarso to Play Blu-ray&DVDRelated Articles
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