diff --git a/nfoguard.py b/nfoguard.py
index 2a79fbd..80bea22 100644
--- a/nfoguard.py
+++ b/nfoguard.py
@@ -1007,17 +1007,31 @@ class MovieProcessor:
             # Use existing movie date decision logic
             dateadded, source, released = self._decide_movie_dates(imdb_id, movie_path, should_query, existing)
         
+        # If we don't have an import/download date but we have a release date, use it as dateadded
+        # This ensures we save digital release dates, theatrical dates, etc. to the database
+        final_dateadded = dateadded
+        final_source = source
+        
+        if dateadded is None and released is not None:
+            final_dateadded = released
+            final_source = f"{source}_as_dateadded" if source else "release_date_fallback"
+            _log("INFO", f"Using release date as dateadded: {final_dateadded} (source: {final_source})")
+        
         # Create NFO regardless of date availability (preserves existing metadata)
         if config.manage_nfo:
             self.nfo_manager.create_movie_nfo(
-                movie_path, imdb_id, dateadded, released, source, config.lock_metadata
+                movie_path, imdb_id, final_dateadded, released, final_source, config.lock_metadata
             )
         
         # Skip remaining processing if no valid date found and file dates disabled
-        if dateadded is None:
+        if final_dateadded is None:
             _log("WARNING", f"Movie {movie_path.name} - no valid date source available, but NFO was still processed")
             self.db.upsert_movie_dates(imdb_id, released, None, source, True)
             return
+            
+        # Update dateadded and source for the rest of processing
+        dateadded = final_dateadded
+        source = final_source
         
         _log("DEBUG", f"Movie {movie_path.name} proceeding to save: dateadded={dateadded}, source={source}")