Before the advent of streaming and on-demand services, movie rentals were a favorite pastime for many The anticipation of browsing the shelves of a video store for the perfect movie and the thrill of popping a VHS or DVD into the player were all part of the experience.
- To rent a movie, you usually have to visit your local video store or rental company. These stores were often well-lit and featured films of various genres You usually have a certain amount of time to watch the movie before returning it to the store, usually around three days. There were often late return fees, so forgetting to return a film on time is quite stressful.
- One of the most exciting aspects of movie rentals in the old days was the availability of new releases Video stores often had limited copies of the latest blockbusters, so you had to get there early to get a copy before they were all gone. It created a sense of urgency and excitement for a theatrical release that simply doesn't exist on today's streaming network.
- However, movie rentals also had their drawbacks. First, the selection was often limited to what was available in the store If your favorite movie has already been rented, you may have to settle for a less than ideal movie. Also, the quality of the film often depended on how well the previous renters had taken care of the tape or disc