Blockbuster Video, the iconic video rental chain, was once the go-to destination for movie lovers all around the world, and in the mid-90s my place of employment… (Hey, we all start somewhere). Whether stubbornness, an unwillingness to fully embrace a shifting dynamic, given the rise of streaming services like Netflix (who had a hybrid model at the time), Hulu, and Amazon Prime, Blockbuster’s popularity dwindled, and the company filed for bankruptcy in 2010. Since then, the brand has largely faded into obscurity. However, there have been some recent rumors and speculation about a possible return of Blockbuster Video. In this article, we’ll explore these rumors and speculate on the likelihood of a Blockbuster comeback.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand why Blockbuster failed in the first place. The rise of streaming services was a major factor, but there were other issues at play as well. Blockbuster had a reputation for being expensive and inconvenient, with late fees and limited selection. The company was slow to adapt to changing consumer preferences and technology, and it ultimately paid the price for that.
So, if Blockbuster were to make a comeback, it would need to address these issues and offer something truly unique and compelling to consumers. One possibility is that the brand could capitalize on the growing trend of nostalgia. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the ’90s and early 2000s culture, and Blockbuster could tap into this nostalgia by offering a retro movie rental experience that harkens back to the chain’s heyday.
Another possibility is that Blockbuster could embrace technology and offer a hybrid streaming/rental service. This would allow consumers to access a large library of movies and TV shows online, but also provide the option to rent physical copies of newer or hard-to-find titles. This would appeal to consumers who enjoy the convenience of streaming but still value the tactile experience of browsing a physical store.
Of course, these are just possibilities, and there’s no guarantee that Blockbuster will actually make a comeback. However, there have been some signs that the brand may be gearing up for a revival. In 2020, the last remaining Blockbuster location in Bend, Oregon, became an Airbnb, allowing fans to spend the night in a retro-themed store. The stunt garnered a lot of media attention and showed that there is still a lot of love for the Blockbuster brand.
Furthermore, in 2021, Blockbuster announced that it would be partnering with a company called Border Entertainment to launch a new Blockbuster-branded streaming service in Latin America. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that Blockbuster will be making a full-fledged comeback in other parts of the world, it does show that the brand is still alive and kicking.
Just this week, on a Fox News Affiliate site it was noted that the Blockbuster website may still have some life in it… and I am all for it. According to Fox News’s reporting, “The website has been dark since the brand declared bankruptcy over a decade ago.”, but no more… There are signs of life.
While it’s impossible to say for sure whether or not Blockbuster will actually make a comeback, there are certainly some interesting possibilities to consider. Whether the brand chooses to embrace nostalgia, technology, or some other strategy, it will need to offer something truly unique and compelling to consumers if it hopes to compete with the streaming giants. However, given the enduring popularity of the Blockbuster brand, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility that we could see the return of this iconic video rental chain. And I for one as a former Blockbuster Employee would love to see it return in some way.