The decline of Blockbuster

Shouts to Company Man for the inspo

[HenryBelcaster]

Learn more with us! SmartNonsense.com 🌈

[ericshun]

Netflix making a Blockbuster Series was just savage ngl

[lazarusthibodeaux]

Remember when Blockbuster had the opportunity to buy Netflix but didn’t because the CEO thought Netflix was a joke.

[Drayton]

My dad has told me stories about when he was growing up he used to go Blockbuster and would rent video games.

[byronthevideomaker]

And now there's only 1 remaining blockbuster still open in Bend, Oregon

[Jameman]

“They partnered with Enron”

Well there’s your problem

[KingGabe]

Rip Blockbuster!! 😭
You was a Real Nostalgic booty getting past time!! 😢

[jonathanelliott]

I remember as a young kid in the 5th grade, living in Clarksville, Tennessee, every Friday night picking out some new movies to rent, and then right next door picking up a pizza from Papa Murphy’s. It’s so weird to think that was 15 years ago. The way they operated too was interesting. I remember only having a movie for 2 days to watch, or 5 days if it wasn’t a new one. There were times when all of the good movies were already gone so you either settled for an older movie or you settled for a new one you really didn’t care to watch. Late fees is such a weird concept these days too. One time we got charged late fees because someone took the stickers off. And it was always a pain have to make a special trip to drop them off. Then Redbox came, and they’re still around, but that was another pain, and we just forgot for a week sometimes to return a movie and just get charged each day. It was fun to pick out movies back in the day but I’m glad to have streaming services. Problem is it seems like there’s never anything to watch.

[ianvassamampatuan]

We didn't have blockbusters, instead we had video city in the 90's. And indeed times were good. Going to town renting movies and buying snacks. The best part was the browsing.

[clintdurham]

I miss the blockbuster days. Sometimes you would go in and the movie or game would be rented and you were disappointed. But that made the times you got what you wanted all the better. There was something special to not getting to see something just any time you want.

[Qzzrqn]

The fiber optic tech looks like something you'd make in art class

[erinmalone]

My husband and I met at a Blockbuster when he was the general manager. I still get a warm feeling in my heart when I see them in movies and TV shows. every time I drive by the building that used to be in that store I always give it a look with a glow in my eye. The 90s were good times. Picking a movie was more than just deciding what to watch. It was a place for you and your friends to talk about the movies you’ve seen, make suggestions, Have friendly arguments etc. going to Blockbuster was an event

[P-C-Principle]

Ooof Enron… I totally forgot Blockbuster got caught up in that firestorm. Not only that but they could’ve bought Netflix out but chose not to. They were destined to fail

[hippiemama]

It also helped that Netflix had a much lower overhead. It's a good thing for us that the CEO of Blockbuster refused to buy Netflix for $50M in 2000. He probably would have screwed that up too.

[BigEustace]

Every Friday night after my dad got back from work he’d always take me to rent a video game for The Weekend.

[roberttilson]

I really miss blockbuster ! That was how I spent my Friday evenings, pick up a couple movies, go next door for some KFC, then the ABC store. A cocktail, dinner and a couple movies was a great way to end my tough work week.

[ChrisWizzerd]

I remember the rise and fall of Blockbuster, Netflix did make an offer to go into partnership but the heads of Blockbuster.. legit laughed Netflix out of the room..

...now only one Blockbuster still stands in Bend Oregon.

[thestandinghippo]

Ah simpler times, not only the rush of getting a movie for the weekend but getting a new game for the PS1 too!

[thesithturkey]

When I was younger I remember getting Netflix mail in movies all the time

[silentblackhole]

I remember renting command and conquer for the N64!! (totally unpractical to play and RTS on a 90s console but goddamnit I enjoyed it! ) So cool! I wish I still loved it today like I did back then. To still get excited about video games today.