Exploring Netflix's Defunct DVD Rental Service: An Archive of Mini-Documentaries
Rediscover the joy of physical media with Netflix's old DVD rental site, where you can dive into mini-documentaries that celebrate the now-defunct service Immerse yourself in nostalgia and appreciate the tangible experience that physical media offers
Article Summary
Netflix's DVD rental service, which shut down in September after 25 years, is being remembered with a series of mini-documentaries on DVD.com.
The retrospective videos showcase employees expressing their cherished memories of the service, providing a heartfelt tribute to both customers and workers.
These documentaries emphasize the significance of physical media and the happiness it brought to individuals, while also serving as a poignant reminder of what has been relinquished in the transition to streaming.
Despite facing challenges in 2023 such as an ongoing strike and increasing costs, Netflix closed down its DVD rental service in September after operating for 25 years. This move, unfortunately, went unnoticed due to other concerns. Fans of physical media expressed their disappointment and shared their favorite memories of the service on social media. However, in a nostalgic twist, Netflix has now embraced this sentimentality by offering a collection of mini-documentaries on DVD.com, highlighting the platform's extensive history.
Upon entering the website, users are welcomed with a two-minute retrospective featuring DVD.com employees recounting their cherished memories. From heartfelt thank you notes to encountering unusual situations like money or creative excuses such as "my dog ate my DVD," this tribute honors both the customers and workers alike. The iconic red envelope, synonymous with the service, symbolizes the journey of returning rentals over the past quarter-century, evoking emotions of warmth and amusement.
However, this is not the only hidden gem behind the scenes. In fact, there are more than a dozen short films that will evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for the early days of Netflix. These shorts encompass a variety of videos featuring individuals sharing their DVD experiences and even a lively Netflix DVD rap. All of these captivating shorts were specifically created for Netflix's DVD YouTube channel throughout the years. In addition to these documentaries, the website also features a dedicated section that showcases users' cherished memories shared on social media.
Why Physical Media Matters
Custom Image by Annamaria Ward
Despite Netflix's primary focus on streaming, the recent additions to DVD.Com serve as a poignant reminder of the nostalgia and pure delight that physical media once brought to individuals. Speaking to those aged 25 and above, it is highly likely that one of their cherished childhood memories involves browsing through movie selections in a video store. The sheer euphoria of selecting a film and bringing it home is an unparalleled sensation, particularly for avid movie enthusiasts. DVD.Com was an exceptional extension of this enchantment. The fact that Netflix has discontinued this service remains a disappointing blow.
With Best Buy and Target gradually reducing their physical media sections and streaming platforms like Netflix constantly increasing their subscription prices, the preservation of physical media has become increasingly crucial. DVDs and Blu-rays currently offer nearly ten times more titles compared to the average streaming service. Although these documentaries from Netflix serve as a nice gesture, they also serve as a somber reminder of what we have lost in this transition.
While enthusiasts of physical media anxiously wait to see if Netflix will eventually release popular titles such as Bridgerton or Mike Flanagan’s previous works on physical formats, you can access Netflix's collection of DVD documentaries directly on their website.
Watch Netflix DVD Documentaries
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of physical media, I was thrilled to learn about Netflix's mini-documentaries exploring their defunct DVD rental service. These documentaries provide a nostalgic look back at the now-defunct service and the joy of physical media.
The documentaries feature employees sharing their cherished memories of the service, and customers expressing their disappointment at its closure. The documentaries also highlight the significance of physical media and the happiness it brought to individuals.
I believe that these documentaries are a great way to celebrate the legacy of Netflix's DVD rental service and the joy of physical media. I hope that Netflix will continue to release more of these documentaries in the future.
