If you absolutely must have a DRM-free offline file for personal archival purposes (and you own the disc), software like MakeMKV allows you to rip your legally purchased 4K Blu-ray to a hard drive. That is the only "WORK" copy that will last forever—and the only one the monolith would approve of.
As of 2025, 2001: A Space Odyssey is available on several major streaming platforms with a subscription:
Provide a of the film's ambiguous ending. 2001 A Space Odyssey Full WORK Movie Internet Archive
Because Warner Bros. owns the rights, is the current streaming home of the film. The 4K restoration (overseen by Christopher Nolan and Warner Bros. in 2018) is available to all subscribers. This is the definitive digital version—scanned from the original 65mm negative.
: The appearance of a mysterious black monolith triggers a cognitive leap in prehistoric hominids, leading them to discover that bones can be used as weapons. If you absolutely must have a DRM-free offline
The Digital Monolith: Why Film Lovers Search for '2001: A Space Odyssey' on the Internet Archive
To understand why 2001 isn't freely available on the Internet Archive, it helps to know how copyright works for older films. Many classic films from before 1923 are now in the public domain and can be freely accessed on the Internet Archive. For films made between 1923 and 1963, copyright status depends on whether the original copyright was properly renewed. However, films made after 1964 generally remain under copyright protection for decades, often for the life of the author plus 70 years. Because Warner Bros
: A common search modifier used by digital searchers to filter out broken links, spam, and promotional trailers, ensuring the file is an actual playable feature film.