Free Blockbuster, aside from a very disappointing Free Willy sequel, is an initiative aiming to return the joy of renting videotapes (vi·dee·ow·tayp, for anyone born after 1998) to a little metal box near you. The project was founded by 37-year-old Brian Morrison, a grizzled veteran of several video rental jobs who built the first Free Blockbuster out of an abandoned newspaper (nooz·pay·pr) dispensers in 2019. Much like the Little Free Library (lai·breh·ree) project, the intent is for people to not just take a movie but leave a movie as well. VHS tapes are preferred, DVDs are politely tolerated.
Unlike its tapes, Free Blockbuster isn’t region-locked. Morrison claims the “international” movement has managed to erect 69 boxes all over the U.S., Canada, and Australia in less than two years. In fact, anyone everywhere can experience what it was like to operate a Blockbuster venue – and not just because you won’t be making any money. While the Free Blockbuster website sells everything to get started, including refurbished donation boxes, all you really need is a sturdy box, some blue spray paint, and a curated collection of Salvation Army videotapes to build your own ‘90s nostalgia popup.
