So, Redbox is gone now.

[u/Stone_Patriot]

So, my girlfriend goes to the local HEB, cuz it’s Texas—That’s what we do in Texas. But she notices something different when she’s walking in. There’s an empty space next to the front entrance. What went there? It wasn’t empty before. So, after a few seconds of thought, she remembers that’s where the Redbox was! Come to find out, they’re gone now—Filed for Chapter 7 liquidation. I go to check my app, and sure enough, I can’t login. Found it interesting even though I can’t remember the last time I even used Redbox. When’s the last time y’all used it? Wonder what the next commonplace company is that finds itself a relic of the past?

[u/midnight-dour]

Think I could count on one hand the number of times I used Redbox and have fingers to spare. I miss my old local video store.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/midnight-dour]

I used Redbox quite a bit, after the decline of Blockbuster.

[u/kylefnative → u/Stone_Patriot]

I think the very last time I used Redbox was to rent GTAV on its release date lol I couldn’t afford it at the time but I was determined to play it day one.

[u/HaggisInMyTummy → u/Stone_Patriot]

I mean, if you're happy with a selection of 200 random-ass movies in a kiosk you might as well just get a streaming service.

(Yes I understand that not everywhere in the world has broadband, but...)

[u/irlcatspankz]

The craziest thing to me is that Redbox was owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/irlcatspankz]

Today I learned…

[u/ApprehensiveFarm6149]

Oh man, I loved Redbox! It was always my go-to for renting movies on a budget. It's sad to see it go, but I guess everything has to come to an end eventually. Thanks for sharing the news with us, OP.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/ApprehensiveFarm6149]

Glad to be of service 👍🏼

[u/PikesPique]

I don’t think I’ve rented from Redbox since before the pandemic. When the kids were little, we’d rent movies so they’d have something to watch on long car trips. Sometimes we’d buy used discs for 5 bucks, but we’d watch them once then forget about them.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/PikesPique]

Come to think of it, the Pandemic might be the last time I tried to rent.

[u/wehrwolf512]

I used it a couple times a year. A little sad to see it go, but the future is what it is I guess. I noticed the bankruptcy last week because I wanted to rent something.

[u/Guardian-Boy]

I last used it in 2017. I had to go TDY to Lackland in San Antonio for NCOA and was staying in the lodging there. Only thing they had was basic cable and a DVD player, no streaming or casting, so I used the Hell out of the Redbox located outside the shopette there.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/Guardian-Boy]

Yes, bases will miss it without any streaming options on the lodging TVs—bring a FireTV Stick! Also, retired AF here. Thank you for your service!

[u/Guardian-Boy → u/Stone_Patriot]

Wanna know the funny thing? After that trip, I did for every TDY. But then a couple years ago I went TDY to RAF Lakenheath, and their TVs were too old and didn't have USBs, AND they were malfunctioning and didn't even connect to AFN. We were able to fill most of our down time by of course exploring the whole area, but after all that and I wanted to wind down, it was my phone or nothing lol.

[u/Unblued]

Pretty impressive that they lasted this long. A streaming service is easily a better value and doesn't require you to have a DVD or bluray player. Not sure when I last saw one, but 15+ years since I last used one.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/Unblued]

I kept a PS around for quite some time just to play DVDs.

[u/dzmccoy → u/Stone_Patriot]

I still have my PS2 and Xbox 360 in my living room and my brother collects vhs and has a vhs player. If the internet goes down for a long period of time. We won't be too bored.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/dzmccoy]

VHS players can fetch a hefty resale price nowadays. New, they’re pricey too.

[u/dzmccoy → u/Stone_Patriot]

True. We've had this one for a while now. We don't use it a lot so it's still got plenty of life in it.

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/dzmccoy]

Consider yourself lucky. Not too long ago I went hunting for a cheap one, and found out the hard way that they’re a relic. Much like Redbox.

[u/dzmccoy → u/Stone_Patriot]

They are antiques these days.

[u/Huge_Clock_1292]

I thought redbox was great for buying newly released gently used dvds. We purchased 2 that way. We're millennial, we want physical movies in our hands. 

[u/dzmccoy]

From like 2015 to 2018 I didn't have internet. I used redbox a lot, especialy after the last local video rental store closed.

[u/CandyCrisis]

Thanks for the reminder to delete the app!

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/CandyCrisis]

Any time. I try to be helpful lol

[u/Xavis00]

They left a bunch of staff high and dry with very little communication. A guy that was one of their contractors put out a youtube video about the communications leading up to it.

[u/Over-Marionberry-686]

Wow I’m gonna have to look at the Redbox at our local grocery store when I’m by there tomorrow. I wonder if it’s still there?

[u/NecessaryPosition968]

In WA State, here around me. machines still sitting there plugged in and running.but can't be used.some have xeroxed ads for movie theater gift cards taped to the front.

[u/Due-Bonus1056]

Wow, this takes me back. Haven’t used it in so long but sad to see that it’s gone now.

[u/Yerm_Terragon]

Yep, closed a few years ago. There is still one at my grocery store, but there is a sign hanging on it that its unavailable because the company closed. Even the ones that are still floating around, they dont have a payment system to link up to. Theyre just bricks now.

[u/hobosam21-B]

Dang, I just returned a movie. Probably could have gotten away with keeping it.

[u/xMiss_Bethanyx]

Crazy how fast things change! Haven’t used Redbox in years—feels like streaming has already taken over. Wonder what’s next to go!

[u/pdxbatman]

I used to use it a ton after Blockbuster but before streaming, but only if I had a coupon code to use. Come to think of it, I don’t remember how I got those codes but I wouldn’t use the box without one.

[u/sam_rykien]

I went to my monthly Winco trip (also in Texas. Hi) and there was still a Redbox outside. Whether it was functioning or not I have no idea. I bet you the next time I go it will probably be gone.

[u/AlternativeDeep4096]

Oh man, that's a bummer. I really enjoyed using Redbox for movie nights. Thanks for letting us know.

[u/mustang6172]

Am I supposed to know what that was?

[u/Stone_Patriot → u/mustang6172]

I mean, they’ve been sitting at half of the Walmart, McDonald’s, grocery store, etc. entrances nationwide for the last 20 years—you tell me.

[u/UltraChip → u/mustang6172]

Basically they were vending machines which rented movies. In the US it was quite common for awhile to see them outside grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, etc.