Movies mailed to your home
The nostalgia! Movies mailed to your home, also known as a movie rental service, was a popular way to enjoy films before the rise of streaming services. Here are some of the most well-known movie rental services that mailed movies to your doorstep:
- Blockbuster: The iconic chain that dominated the video rental market in the 90s and early 2000s. Although they filed for bankruptcy in 2010, some independent Blockbuster stores still exist today.
- Netflix: Yes, the same Netflix that's now a streaming giant! In 1998, Netflix launched as a DVD rental service, mailing DVDs to customers in red envelopes. They shifted to streaming in 2007.
- Hollywood Video: Another popular video rental chain that operated from 1985 to 2010. They also offered a mail-order rental service.
- Movie Gallery: A video rental chain that operated from 1985 to 2010. They also had a mail-order rental service.
- Rental Service: A mail-order rental service that operated from the 1980s to the early 2000s. They offered a wide selection of movies and TV shows on VHS and later DVD.
- DVD Planet: A mail-order rental service that operated from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. They specialized in hard-to-find and independent films.
- Movie Mailer: A mail-order rental service that operated from the 1990s to the early 2000s. They offered a wide selection of movies and TV shows on VHS and DVD.
These services allowed customers to browse a catalog of movies, select titles, and have them mailed to their homes. The movies would typically be returned in a pre-paid envelope or by scheduling a pickup at a local store.
While the rise of streaming services has largely replaced traditional movie rental services, some independent stores and services still exist, offering a nostalgic experience for those who miss the good old days of movie rentals.