Redbox to begin renting Blu-ray movies

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by: Mike Sampson Jul. 30, 2010

I've never used a Redbox kiosk for one simple reason: they don't have Blu-ray. But that's all about to change. Starting with THE BOOK OF ELI, THE BOUNTY HUNTER, GREEN ZONE and BROOKLYN'S FINEST, Redbox will begin rolling out Blu-ray rentals to approximately half of its kiosks with all of them expected to participate by late fall.

While renting a DVD costs $1 (assuming you return it on time), renting a Blu-ray will set you back $1.50. Considering each kiosk only holds 630 discs, don't expect a wide selection of Blu-ray movies at first, at least until it proves to be a profitable business. So far the initial offerings aren't exactly thrilling but hopefully there will be a better selection as the plan continues.

Redbox had apparently been wanting to offer Blu-ray for some time but needed to settle some ongoing legal disputes with a number of the movie studios. The new Blu-ray plan will adhere to the previously settled DVD agreement wherein discs can only be offered 28 days after they were originally released.

So now with Blu-ray, will I give Redbox a shot? Probably not. I'm doing just fine with Netflix, which has a much wider selection at this point. But do you think you'll try it out?

Source: Variety

COMING SOON!

Extra Tidbit: If Redbox was giving away THE BOUNTY HUNTER for free, I still don't think I'd take it.

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korollocke
10:12AM on 08/02/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What happens if people don't return the disc's? We have a Blockbuster machine close to where I live. On the same block as Blockbuster actually.
What happens if people don't return the disc's? We have a Blockbuster machine close to where I live. On the same block as Blockbuster actually.
 
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decrodedpoop
5:29AM on 08/01/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Yea , they have been doing it for awhile . Typically they don't have any left by the time I get there . Still pretty sweet idea , and yea I wouldn't take Bounty hunter if it was free either . Same with Open Water ! Ha ha ha !
Yea , they have been doing it for awhile . Typically they don't have any left by the time I get there . Still pretty sweet idea , and yea I wouldn't take Bounty hunter if it was free either . Same with Open Water ! Ha ha ha !
 
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Freeden
8:02PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
They've been doing this for a while. I remember seeing a tropic thunder blu ray in the redbox. W/e, I use it occassionally, but they never have enough new releases, and they always end up getting rented.
They've been doing this for a while. I remember seeing a tropic thunder blu ray in the redbox. W/e, I use it occassionally, but they never have enough new releases, and they always end up getting rented.
 
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JoeCool
7:39PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
well...
in washington state we have been getting blu-ray red box movies for a few months. it is probably the best thing ever. if they start to expand their collection in each kiosk i would love life just that much more.
in washington state we have been getting blu-ray red box movies for a few months. it is probably the best thing ever. if they start to expand their collection in each kiosk i would love life just that much more.
 
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MidnightAngel
5:22PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Blockbuster video will go the way of the dinosaur thanks to Redbox.
Blockbuster video will go the way of the dinosaur thanks to Redbox.
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Freddyrich
1:27PM on 08/02/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Blockbuster video will go the way of the dinosaur thanks to bad Management....
Blockbuster video will go the way of the dinosaur thanks to bad Management....
 
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anomaly7
4:47PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I've never used Redbox, but when I walk by I notice half of their video choices look like crappy kids movies or direct-to-video crap I never heard of. That's why I prefer Netflix/Blockbuster by mail, they have more of a selection of older, foreign, and smaller independent films. Heck, with my monthly plan if I fit 5 rentals into a month I've already saved money over getting blu-rays from Redbox.
I've never used Redbox, but when I walk by I notice half of their video choices look like crappy kids movies or direct-to-video crap I never heard of. That's why I prefer Netflix/Blockbuster by mail, they have more of a selection of older, foreign, and smaller independent films. Heck, with my monthly plan if I fit 5 rentals into a month I've already saved money over getting blu-rays from Redbox.
 
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T DUBBS
4:30PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I've heard about Redbox starting to put videogames in their kiosks, when will that happen?
I've heard about Redbox starting to put videogames in their kiosks, when will that happen?
 
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Tyson J.
3:35PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Is this an American phenomenon or am I just missing them in Canada? But I agree, this is definitely going to be a big blow to the video store idea, if not the last straw.
Is this an American phenomenon or am I just missing them in Canada?

But I agree, this is definitely going to be a big blow to the video store idea, if not the last straw.
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Donnacha
4:00PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
This and Netflix-type subscription services have utterly bankrupted video stores. They'll all be gone inside two years.
This and Netflix-type subscription services have utterly bankrupted video stores. They'll all be gone inside two years.
 
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JohnLocke2342
11:39AM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The prices are great, the selection is new and most of the time you don't have to go very far for Red Box.. and with Netflix you don't leave your house.. but I'm gonna miss going to the video store. I mean.. I'm only 22 and it's not even really my time but some of my best memories is of my dad taking me to the video store and picking out a movie.. there's just something fun about it. It...
The prices are great, the selection is new and most of the time you don't have to go very far for Red Box.. and with Netflix you don't leave your house.. but I'm gonna miss going to the video store. I mean.. I'm only 22 and it's not even really my time but some of my best memories is of my dad taking me to the video store and picking out a movie.. there's just something fun about it.

It sucks that everything is going to be directly streamed to our homes. Wall-E looks eerily true.
 
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Chenjoe6172
10:07AM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Another nail in the coffin of video stores.
Another nail in the coffin of video stores.
 
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Jig Saw 123
9:38AM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
RIP Blockbuster
Netflix and Rebox are taking over the world.
Netflix and Rebox are taking over the world.
 
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APzombie
8:05AM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The CEO of redbox gave Netflix shit for wasting time and resources getting copies and rights to a wider library of older releases. He said it was a business mistake and they should spend their efforts getting as many copies of new releases people want to see as opposed to spreading out to films that only a niche market would ever want. It is because of that mentality that i say fuck...
The CEO of redbox gave Netflix shit for wasting time and resources getting copies and rights to a wider library of older releases. He said it was a business mistake and they should spend their efforts getting as many copies of new releases people want to see as opposed to spreading out to films that only a niche market would ever want.

It is because of that mentality that i say fuck redbox. If you are in the home video market, at least pretend you appreciate what you sell.
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Donnacha
4:02PM on 07/30/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Why pretend? He's a businessman, and he has every right to express his opinion that it's a business mistake. The guy's favorite movie might be CHRIST IN CONCRETE but he understands that it's not a film that's going to sell.
Why pretend? He's a businessman, and he has every right to express his opinion that it's a business mistake. The guy's favorite movie might be CHRIST IN CONCRETE but he understands that it's not a film that's going to sell.