Redbox kiosks, popular across America for nearly two decades, have seen a significant decline in use. These iconic DVD rental machines emerged around 20 years ago, but advancements in technology and the rise of streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Disney+, have led to a drop in their popularity. This dramatic shift culminated in Redbox’s parent company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year.
Currently, some of the approximately 34,000 Redbox kiosks remain operational in locations like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Kroger. However, many of these retailers are now planning to retire these machines permanently, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The process of removing these machines isn’t as easy as it may seem, given that they weigh around 890 pounds and are typically secured to a concrete base. Yet, this didn’t deter North Carolina resident Jacob Helton. He managed to secure his own Redbox kiosk after negotiating with a contractor responsible for its removal from a local drugstore.
In a conversation with the Journal, Helton expressed his passion for the kiosk, stating, “Redbox is important in the history of American media. Its collapse marks the end of the video rental era.” Each kiosk can house about 600 DVDs (the machines also offered games until 2019), and Helton intends to donate the existing DVDs and replace them with his own collection.
As retailers look to dispose of these machines, the future of the kiosks, whether they end up in scrap yards or are claimed by enthusiasts like Helton, seems uncertain. For instance, Walgreens spends approximately $184,000 monthly to operate nearly 5,400 of these kiosks, taking up valuable retail space that could be used for other purposes.
One Alabama-based removal company has reported it has taken down nearly 50 kiosks so far and collected around 20,000 DVDs for recycling, charging up to $200 for each removal and around $70 for the scrap metal. Given the number of machines still in operation nationwide, and the lengthy removal process, it will likely be some time before Redbox kiosks completely vanish from the American landscape.
