The Rise of Video Rental Stores

Video rental stores changed how people accessed and consumed movies in the late 20th century, with the introduction of the VCR enabling people to rent films for the first time. The initial model focused on renting instead of selling physical copies due to high retail prices, which made owning films unaffordable for most. The landscape was dominated by local shops until larger chains like Blockbuster began to proliferate, attracting customers with their extensive inventories. The nostalgic allure of visiting these stores became an integral part of film culture, where families would make trips to select movies, transforming movie night into a communal experience.