If you’re still a member of Netflix’s physical-DVD-rental program (we know you’re out there!), you were probably saddened to learn back in April 2023 that Netflix would be ending that service Sept. 29, 2023. You were also probably wondering what you were supposed to do with any final DVDs you were left with after that date. Here’s some good news: Netflix has announced you can keep (for free!) any remaining DVDs you haven’t shipped back yet.
… as a proud two-DVD-plan subscriber since 2006, I’m thrilled to know that leaves me with FREE copies of “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.”
Netflix DVD Rentals: A Brief History
Netflix founded its business on DVD-by-mail rentals in 1997 and started its monthly subscription model (which allowed users to set up a queue and have DVDs mailed to them as they sent their previous DVDs back) in 1999. This was revolutionary at the time, as there were no late fees. You could keep a DVD as long as you wanted and just send it back when you were ready for another. Just writing this out makes me feel ancient, but I wouldn’t give up the thrill of the red disk in the mailbox for anything.
Quickly, those iconic red envelopes became the final nail in the coffin for traditional rental stores like Blockbuster.
But even the red-envelope era soon became a relic, with on-demand streaming taking off in the mid-2000s. Netflix launched on-demand streaming for certain titles (as well as its own original programming), but allowed subscribers to still rent physical DVDs from its larger library. In 2010, Netflix spun off its DVD-by-mail service, and subscribers started having to pay two monthly fees: One for streaming and one for physical DVDs. Many dropped the DVDs, but some stalwart subscribers remained, myself included (I figured about six rentals a month was still “worth it,” and a better value than a night out — and I definitely rented more than THAT per month during the pandemic).
When Will Subscribers Stop Being Billed for Netflix DVD?
Your last August payment will be your final one. Now think about what you’re going to do with that extra money each month.
What if I Actually WANT to Return My Remaining Netflix DVDs?
Personally, I plan to enjoy my free copies of “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Thor: Love and Thunder” until my DVD player bites the dust. But if you DO want to send your DVDs back, Netflix will continue to accept them until Oct. 27.
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