Top 10 Things We Miss About Blockbuster Video
#10: Knowledgeable Employees
As an employee at Blockbuster, you got free rentals and even had the chance to view new releases before they were put on the shelves. Sure, it was retail, but it was fun! There aren’t many places that pay you to talk about movies all day. More often than not, employees were passionate about movies and TV shows, and offered solid recommendations. Some were even like a walking IMDb, with the ability to decipher a movie title based on a customer’s vague description. These days we have algorithms that use our watch history to give us calculated suggestions. Nothing beats an actual movie lover’s honest opinion though!
#9: Having a Membership Card
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This one may seem ridiculous, but it was cool to have an official membership card, okay? Flashing your special card to the clerk, especially as a kid, made you feel important. Blockbuster also had a great rewards program, which came with even cooler cards (xref). The benefits may have evolved over the years, but there was something free every week or month. For the serious film buff, some stores offered a “Movie Pass.” You could pay a monthly fee and get unlimited rentals, checking out one to three movies at a time.
#8: Movie-Themed Environment
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In 2018, a Blockbuster in Alaska famously received a special Russell Crowe collection from TV host John Oliver. But Blockbuster’s always had movie-themed decor in the form of posters, standees, and marquee boards with “Coming Attractions.” Stores usually had multiple TVs playing movie trailers, music videos, and even full length features. Blockbuster kept it family friendly though, having an almost Disney-like atmosphere. And employees would often microwave popcorn to give the store that “movie theater scent.” What’s more enticing than smelling popcorn while looking at movies?
#7: Snack Section
Speaking of movie theater treats, let’s not forget Blockbuster’s incredible snack section. They stocked all of our theater candy favorites:Twizzlers, Milk Duds, M&Ms… They also had drinks, chips, pretzels, ice cream, and for some reason, pickles. Blockbuster had a variety of microwave and stovetop popcorn too, from big tubs to small packets. It wasn’t just plain old popcorn though. You could choose from different flavors like buttered, kettle, and caramel. Plus, they’d often have a “bundle promo” to make things more affordable.
#6: Promotions & Exclusives
As previously mentioned, Blockbuster had some of the best promos going. You could find free rental coupons almost anywhere, including at food establishments like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. And the in-store promos were awesome, too. In 1999, the company set up Pokémon Snap Stations, where you could print digital images from the Pokémon game. And who remembers “Bonus Boxes?” Those little treasure chests were filled with trial-sized snack samples, candy, coupons, and even AOL program disks. Whether it was “Free Popcorn Tuesdays” or exclusive “Star Wars” action figures, Blockbuster always seemed to have a super sweet deal!
#5: New Releases
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If you were looking to rent the latest flicks out of Hollywood, Blockbuster was the place to go. And for anyone who couldn’t make it to the theater, this was their chance to see the most popular movies of the time. Ok, sometimes we’d get to the store too late, only to find the newest releases were out of stock. But in its early days, Blockbuster would often offer an IOU for a free rental, so you still got to go home with something (xref). Plus, some big name studioseven made deals with the company, providing them earlier access to the newest releases.
#4: Renting Video Games & Consoles
Blockbuster was known for movies, but they were tops in the gaming world, too. Gaming can get pretty expensive, so that’s why we loved being able to rent games as means to try them out. You know, before shelling out the big bucks to secure a copy for ourselves. Needed a console? You could rent that too! The stores had kiosks where you could actually play demos. They also carried games like “Resident Evil” that came with limited edition extras. And did you know that in the ‘90s, the company hosted two “Blockbuster World Video Game Championships?” Yep, they took gaming pretty seriously.
#3: Social Experience
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At one point in time, going to Blockbuster was as common as going to the gas station. It was honestly one of the best places to be on the weekends or a Friday night. Yep, this was a hot spot for meeting up with friends, getting a movie for date night, or a family outing. There was always a good chance you’d run into someone you’d know, so hopefully you weren’t renting anything embarrassing. Blockbuster was also a chance to meet fellow film buffs and discuss your favorite titles. Giving and receiving recommendations with others, even strangers, was a part of the experience!
#2: Organized Layout
Retail stores can often get chaotic and messy, making the shopping experience less than pleasant. Blockbuster, on the other hand, kept their stores organized. The outer walls were dedicated to all the alphabetized new releases, while the “favorites” (anything that wasn’t new) were in the inner aisles, categorized by genre. The common browsing strategy started at the new release wall, then made its way through the aisles, ending with the snack section. It was like being guided through a sea of possibilities. It was a bit overwhelming, but also exciting, as you never knew what you’d find. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Family Bonding A Blockbuster Night Was a Family Night Holding Hard Copies Sometimes We Just Need That Tangible Experience Pre-Owned Movie Sales The Best Place to Stock Up on Cheap DVDs The Commercials Some of the Most Memorable Ads of the ‘90s Cover Art Thumbnails Just Aren’t the Same
#1: Browsing
Simply put, browsing made Blockbuster a truly magical place. Walking into a world of movies is exciting in and of itself, but roaming aisles upon aisles of films felt like an adventure. This was especially true if you didn’t have a particular title in mind. Heck, it was also a great way to kill time. Whether you were alone or with company, perusing the choices became a fun treasure hunt. You never knew if you’d stumble upon your new favorite movie, or maybe come across something you hadn’t seen in ages. Knowing you could find a gem at any moment was a major thrill!
