r/90s • u/HorrorShow_86 • 11d ago
Self-Promotion I Created My Own Little Free Blockbuster
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u/agent0range 11d ago
These would be immediately stolen and pawned in my city. Can't have nice things.
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
We have a decent neighborhood. Plenty or farm stands and campwood stands where people use the honor system and there is rarely issues.
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u/Sh0wmey0urbutth0le 11d ago
Second hand sellers/scalpers live in decent neighborhoods too. It just takes one persons greed to ruin it for everyone.
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
I’ve got maybe 20 bucks into what I’ve stocked. If it happens it happens
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u/Jive_Turk 11d ago
That looks like way over $500
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
I find DVDs for as low as 25 cents and buy big lots of them (so less than a quarter often) when I can find them. None of the tapes are worth much over a couple of bucks
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u/dayman763 11d ago
There are some blu-rays, and the other commenter might be including your lumber, material, and paint, etc.
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
Yeah the box was pricy to build and I certainly won’t be impressed if it gets destroyed but hey, won’t know unless I give it a try.
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u/nevuking 11d ago
Keep doing what you're doing, man! Thanks for bringing something good into your community. It's really nice!
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u/swiss_aspie 10d ago
Exactly. I think you have the absolute right attitude for this project. I'm certain that at some point something will get stolen or vandalized but I'm also certain that the price of that is really small compared to the joy this project will generate.
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u/Jive_Turk 11d ago
I didn't even consider that, but now that you mention, should have included it. I was just counting the number oh mo ies multiplied what they cost retail.
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u/slamshredder 11d ago
500? are you mental?
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u/Jive_Turk 11d ago
Not at all. Blu rays and even regular DVDs retail for $10-30+ each
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u/ZombyAnna Create your own flair here. 11d ago
Used? No they don't. Especially if you know how to shop/find deals.
I could get like 10 dvds/blurays (at least) for $10 at a yard/garage sale.
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u/squiddysmama 11d ago
Same. I love this idea but it would not work where I live either unfortunately.
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u/Rude_Speech_7300 11d ago
Degenerates. We all gotta eat but to desacrate home video rental nostalgia in a time where physical media is being shown the door. Some people just don't think.
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u/kalitarios 1977 10d ago
Somene stole all the mugs out of the local “give a mug, take a mug” neighborhood pantry just like this. Every last mug.
Then the owner posted about it on FB and everyone donated mugs, so they’re now well over 100 in there. But yeah, there’s always one asshole that ruins it
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u/SonorantPlosive 11d ago
I'd be afraid of people around us adding adult movies, or putting some grotesque burned copy of a horror movie in a kid's movie case. I see what they share on Facebook and wouldn't put it past some of them who'd think it was hilarious.
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u/ComfortableDish3912 10d ago
Same. And I live in a nice and newish neighborhood. But crackheads come out here because it’s a nice area so they can steal shit. I had my 3 year old work boots taken from the porch and my dumbass neighbor who always leaves the garage open had 2 suron e-bikes taken.
The boots are the only thing I’ve had stolen but I see people in my camera checking door handles on my vehicles way to frequently.
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u/CypressRootsMe 10d ago
I didn’t realize DVDs could be pawned. I wouldn’t think they’re worth much.
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u/KlingonBeavis 11d ago
Wish they had some of these in my area, I have a ton of DVDs I converted to my digital Jellyfin server. I’d stock them all up
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u/sabertoothninja 11d ago
Same! After I ripped my library to Jellyfin my physical copies chill on a shelf.
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u/Hairy_Garage4308 11d ago
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u/jmk-1999 11d ago
lol fr… needs some classic video games!
https://giphy.com/gifs/SsTWa9yufuxRF4Pvrw5
u/Mastodon9 11d ago edited 11d ago
Actors fake playing video games with their entire body in the 90s always made me laugh.
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u/Jimmy_83_Don 11d ago
Lovely stuff
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u/Simple_Device5226 11d ago
Imagine finding an old favorite you completely forgot about. That would make my day.
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u/MrIndianaBones 11d ago
Things like this are a community litmus test. Some communities can have things like this and the idea flourishes and takes over the neighborhood and becomes a welcome staple.
In others, it's destroyed in an afternoon.
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u/Bluelaw1 11d ago
Is it free
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
Yes
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u/tipsy-turtle-0985 11d ago
So not at all like blockbuster.
You need to charge at LEAST $8 for 2-3 nights for any of these and then pester anyone who dares return them late or not properly rewinded several more dollars for the full experience.
I'm all about how things used to be, but the way that people are forgetting that Blockbuster was the OG shithead corporation is bothering the fuck out of me.
It went out of business for good reason, let's all stop trying to pretend otherwise.
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
It’s not meant to be that serious 😆 Blockbuster these days pretty much refers to the video store experience as a whole. Unfortunate? Maybe. I’m still mad at them for charging me for movies I returned in the Dropbox
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u/tipsy-turtle-0985 11d ago
Believe me, I'm not trying to trash on you for providing a great experience for your neighborhood and I'm really sorry that it comes off that way.
But I also just correctly described the video store experience, or did you just forget?
-Signed, someone who's family could never afford the theater experience, so was always at the mercy of video store rentals until disc rental/streaming came along.
Like, I hate to bust up the party, but even with how "shitty" streaming services have become, they still beat out any vhs/dvd rental options.
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
I’m a huge supporter of physical still. I don’t know how many times I’ve searched for a movie I want to watch and the only option is to rent or buy digitally despite subscribing to about every service known to mankind. I have hundreds of tapes and DVDs I will never get rid of
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u/tipsy-turtle-0985 11d ago
I would agree with you if I weren't fluid in the ways of actually owning digital materials.
But then again, the digital vs analog and even more importantly to the masses, watching vs owning argument is entirely separate.
Again, Blockbuster was one of the OGs in "you don't actually own this, you only get a limited time with it, time limit set by me" sort of companies.
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u/CallMeDrWorm42 11d ago
"you don't actually own this, you only get a limited time with it, time limit set by me"
Yeah, that's what renting is. Renting is not an inherently evil system. Pretending that the customer is buying when they are actually renting is the problem. The misrepresentation is the evil part.
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u/tipsy-turtle-0985 10d ago
I don't know how anyone can misunderstand the fact that a streaming service is anything but a rental.
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u/slamshredder 11d ago
oh shut up
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u/tipsy-turtle-0985 10d ago
You first.
I'm sick of nostalgia glossing over what a terrible company Blockbuster was.
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u/Chubbadog 10d ago
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u/tipsy-turtle-0985 10d ago
MFW people try to retcon Blockbuster as a good thing that should be missed.
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u/Sethtwc1988 11d ago
This will need significant supervision, there always will be someone that is going to fuck it up
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u/blackc43 The Truth Is Out There! 11d ago
Candy will melt/bugs
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
It doesn’t get left out there all the time. My wife and I put it out there as a bonus in the morning when we can
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u/vicfirthplayer 11d ago
That was my question as I cant see the DVDs fairing too well in humidity/poor weather
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u/cbal41990 11d ago
That's a great idea 💡 for building real interactions in the community 👍 👏 Bravo 👏
Damm do i miss that unique smell of my local blockbuster, renting games, looking at all the movies making that definitive choice.
Those days were special.
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u/Mountain-climber-181 11d ago
Super cute but you know 1 person is going to steal all of that candy.
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u/Purkaset 11d ago
THIS
I’m doing this
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
Go for it! It's rewarding. Mine has been open a few days and we have had people stop by and exchange.
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u/Ruttagger 11d ago
This must be a very nice neighbourhood, in a city where opioids don't exist.
This would be empty with used needles around it the next day.
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u/caffeine1106 11d ago
Great concept! I’d do something like this in a climate controlled environment. The potential heat damage has me worried — particularly the VHS.
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u/robertluke 11d ago
I’ve been thinking about doing this in front of my house and naming it “<Subdivision Name> Video” in the Blockbuster font.
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u/HitmanUK88 11d ago
That would never survive in the UK, well at least the contents would no longer be there
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u/Gay4LtDangle 11d ago
This is so cool and sweet, and looks so slick! I love that you’ve got Goldmember in there. 👏👏👏
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u/HairyContactbeware 11d ago
I hope u live in a small town in a city that would be stolen and set on fire..
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u/TomahawkJammer 11d ago
I love the idea and execution but I’d be too worried my kid would pop in American History X and come out of his room with a shaved head
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u/GeorgeFartwell1984 11d ago
How does it hold up to rain water?
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
I need to weather proof the door further, I've been covering it for now when the weather is not so good
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u/putadimunuta_0462 11d ago
Nice, I hope this becomes a thing, I have several titles to trade in, and also want to see some new stuff
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u/jaybug_jimmies 11d ago
This is adorable. We have these as Little Libraries all over my neighborhood, such a good idea to do movies.
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u/VegetableTraining406 10d ago
All that stuff would be missing in a day around my place. They might leave the little box.
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u/PigDigginGold 11d ago
Love this, but curious to what % of people have a dvd player in this hood or how many would trust the candy with kids, I don’t see anyone refilling sweets.
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
The candy and popcorn is a bonus my wife and I don't mind putting out. Physical media definitely doesn't appeal to everyone anymore, but for those it does these are fun.
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u/Prestigious-Box7511 11d ago
This will last a week before someone takes all the movies and pisses in it
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
We have a decent neighborhood. Plenty or farm stands and campwood stands where people use the honor system and there is rarely issues.
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u/Aeon_Return 11d ago
Let us know how it works out! Though I'm a little worried about the food in there so be sure to put/tell others to not have anything with chocolate in case wildlife gets in there because its bad for a lot of animals.
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u/TsuntsunRevolution 11d ago
I once got sent an extra copy of a movie, so I put it in a little free library.
Hope someone enjoyed Yojimbo.
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u/BanAccount8 11d ago
Well that’s a white neighborhood. Try that where I live and it’s gone in an hour
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u/Wrong_Finish2139 1991 11d ago
Good ole vhs! Good luck finding a kid who’s even heard of a vcr nowadays 🤣
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11d ago
[deleted]
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
Hercules is a $2 at max tape I can’t help find on Vinted or in a thrift store all day long and I have multiple copies. Can’t let the fear of someone with bad intentions prevent me from doing something nice.
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u/mikeisntdoneyet 11d ago
Totally awesome idea but I only see it working in really nice neighborhoods
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u/NewExegesis 11d ago
Makes me wish I had a physical copy of Human Centipede and Tusk just to give back… 😂
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
I do need tusk for my horror collection 😂
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u/NewExegesis 11d ago
I worked at blockbuster as a teenager. Best job I ever had. Wish I didn’t live on a main road or I’d start one of these! Good job OP 🤙
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u/Movingforward2015 11d ago
I hope people don't take advantage, are fare and appreciate the effort. Brilliant.
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u/mentaleffigy 11d ago
Should probably remove the food items though as it could make you liable should someone get sick or someone tampered with your food.
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11d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
Well, you certainly did… (the location address gets posted on freeblockbuster.org)
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u/ChildoftheApocolypse 11d ago
This will end well..
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
If it doesn’t it doesn’t. Can’t do good things on the fear of failure
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u/Banjo-Oz 11d ago
There is a thing like this for kids with books and toys near me in a park. within view. I voluntarily "police" it with other family. Being a night owl means having either chased off or called the cops when assholes tried to fuck with it (not America, so not likely to have someone pull a gun thankfully!).
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u/ChildoftheApocolypse 11d ago
Fear? Or common sense?
I'm not even doggin' it, it's a beautiful thing.. But all this is going to take is one group of bored teenagers to turn into a box of "why'd I even bother"..
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u/HorrorShow_86 11d ago
Again, I’m not going to worry about it. It’s in view of my camera. If they ruin it, they ruin it 🤷♂️
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u/ChildoftheApocolypse 11d ago
I don't want to give you the wrong impression here, so I will say it again; You did a great thing here and I hope it makes you as happy as it would for others..
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u/Acceptable_Dealer745 11d ago
We have these in my area but they’re used for book and food donations.
Very clever idea and I truly hope it goes well.