Is The Last Blockbuster Still Open?

Three decades ago, Blockbuster Video was the leading company in the movie rental business, owning more than 6,000 stores around the world. Today, after Blockbuster’s downfall and the rise of many online streaming services like Netflix,  there is only one Blockbuster left. 

Keep reading if you want to discover more interesting facts, such as the location of the last Blockbuster in the world, what it offers, and much more.

Is The Last Blockbuster Still Open? 

Yes, the last Blockbuster is still open. It’s located in Bend, Oregon, and it is the only Blockbuster store that remained functional after all the others closed by 2019. It still works by the old model of movie renting while also acting as a museum, bringing back the good memories from the 90s. 

Let’s take a trip to the Bend Blockbuster video store, and learn more about why it is the last one standing, and how it is functioning in this modern era of streaming movies online. 

Where Is The Last Blockbuster Store Located? 

The Last Blockbuster Store is located at 211 NE Revere Avenue, in Bend, Oregon. It was opened back in 1992 when Blockbuster was on top of the movie renting business and had thousands of franchises around the world. 

With Blockbuster’s downfall and the massive closing of stores in the 2000s, this store remained untouched and was one of the few fully operational locations in the country. This trend continued until 2019, when all of the remaining stores around the globe closed, leaving this rental store as the last one working under the iconic name of Blockbuster. 

Inside The Last Blockbuster Store

While video rental may not be popular around the world, thousands of fans still find joy in the simple act of doing it and love the nostalgic feeling it brings. You should be warned that a membership card is still required and they only deal in DVDs. On top of that, the owners of this store are fellow fans who know how to appreciate this business and are tirelessly striving for the best customer service.

Having more than a thousand movies available for rent, there is a museum-like section in the last Blockbuster store with several movie relics that ensure a one-of-a-kind experience. From old posters, gift cards, and VHS tapes to the actual cape Rusell Crowe wore in the Robin Hood film, this store has everything needed to make you feel like it’s the 90s all over again. 

And that’s not all. We forgot to mention the snacks! To make this trip to Blockbuster complete, you can enjoy some Pringles, Paqui, and Pez, or get a popcorn bucket to combine with the movie you will be watching later. 

And of course, for every fan who wants to support this store and get some great clothes or accessories in the process, there is a vast choice of official merchandise. Whether it’s a t-shirt, cap, or mug, there are many interesting options people can choose from to help the owners keep this beautiful place open. 

Blockbuster’s Social Media Presence 

With their hilarious X (Twitter) profile, and the Instagram profile full of content from the store and pictures of celebrities visiting, the Blockbuster team certainly knows how to connect with its fans. However, the pinnacle of their marketing was one particular ad you probably know of that took the attention of everyone.

During the halftime show of Super Bowl LVII played in February 2023, Blockbuster made a surprise appearance with a short ad that got everyone talking. And, even though Rihanna took the central stage performing her greatest hits, Blockbuster was the true star of the show. 

Blockbuster’s ad is set in a post-apocalyptic era and features a lone cockroach named Steve who travels through the wastelands, accompanied by a narrator who says: “When the world ends, and the internet streams no more, we’ll still be here.” 

At the end of the ad, Steve reaches Blockbuster and is greeted by an employee, meaning that no matter what happens, you can still get your favorite movie from the last Blockbuster store in Bend. 

This ad boosted Blockbuster’s sales and gave people a nostalgic feeling that reminded and motivated them to support the store by renting movies or buying stuff online. According to Sandi Harding, the general manager of the store, their sales went up by 30%, which is similar to three years ago when the Blockbuster series was released on Netflix.

The Last Blockbuster Movie 

To celebrate this nostalgic little place, in 2020, the director Taylor Morden released a documentary named “The Last Blockbuster”. 

This movie covered the history of both the franchise and this particular store, talking about all the ups and downs throughout the years. It featured stories told by the store managers, as well as some big Hollywood names such as Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Ed Harris, and more.

It’s important to note that these actors weren’t specifically interviewed for this movie and the director used archive footage instead. 

In any case, this is a movie that will help you learn more about the rise and fall of Blockbuster Video and see it from the perspective of different people in the industry. Whether you are a fan or a customer or are simply interested in exploring more about this legendary brand, this is a great movie choice. 

The Last Blockbuster in Family Guy

Family Guy often references pop culture from the 80s, and 90s. By using their style, the creators of the show dedicated an episode of the 21st season to the last Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon.

In this episode, the Griffin family wants to enjoy a movie at home the original way and decides to rent one from the nearest Blockbuster. However, they find out all the stores are closed and the last Blockbuster store is in Bend, Oregon. This is where the fun begins.

They go on a cross-country trip, and, upon arriving at the store, Peter finds out that he owes them money for a movie he rented a long time ago.

To avoid paying, he steals a VHS tape and starts running from employees with shotguns. After being rescued by Amazon drones, the family arrives home to find out that they can’t play the VHS tape. 

Why Does This DVD Rental Store Matter?

Even if Blockbuster isn’t a leading name in the movie industry, the last Blockbuster store is still very important for the whole pop-culture community.

This store represents a time capsule, taking fans back to a time when choosing a movie for the weekend meant quality time with friends or family spent in Blockbuster. It’s a reminder of the forgotten experience of browsing the shelves of new releases, holding the movie cases, and reading their descriptions.

This store preserves human connections and the act of supporting a local business. In the era of online relationships, it’s a place that connects people the good old way, allowing them to share nostalgic moments enjoying the physical copies of their favorite titles. 

The Last Remaining Blockbuster Store Working Hours

For anyone who plans on visiting the last Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon, you are in luck! The store is open for business every day of the week from 10:30 a.m. PT to 8:00 p.m. PT with the only exceptions being Friday and Saturday when it closes at 9:00 p.m. PT. Just remember to rewind.

Last update on 2024-04-17 at 13:21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API