‘The Last Blockbuster’ and ‘Netflix Vs. The World’ Are a Nostalgic Double Feature Worth Streaming

Blockbuster Video is the ultimate “you had to be there” experience. ’90s kids are intimately familiar with the uniquely cozy comforts of mindlessly browsing through a sea of video options. “Make it a Blockbuster Night” wasn’t just a catchy corporate tagline, it was a way of life. Long before the ubiquity of streaming made (practically) everything available always, Blockbuster Video or your neighborhood equivalent (shout-out to Pop Video of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania!) was a Friday night destination, an essential staple for the perfect date night, family night, or “ugh, leave me the hell alone” night.

If you want to relive the halcyon days when VCRs ruled the weekend, Taylor Morden’s 2020 documentary The Last Blockbuster is for you.

Now streaming on Netflix, the film follows the rise and fall of the famed video store by focusing on the last remaining Blockbuster Video in Bend, Oregon. A David vs. Goliath adventure mixed with an entertaining deep dive into a pop culture relic, The Last Blockbuster is both a cautionary tale and an entertaining history lesson from a cool substitute teacher as it explores the surprisingly avoidable demise (Blockbuster had the opportunity to purchase Netflix in 2000) of the video rental behemoth.

The Last Blockbuster includes a host of familiar faces. Narrated by Lauren Lapkus, the documentary features interviews with Adam Brody, Ron Funches, Paul Scheer, Kevin Smith, Doug Benson, Samm Levine, Ione Skye, and Brian Posehn. While the film analyzes the adversarial history between Blockbuster and Netflix, it succeeds by embracing people’s personal experiences with the store, from Sandy the “Blockbuster Mom” to Paul Scheer sharing stories about what it was like to work at a Blockbuster Video.

Since you rarely leave Blockbuster Video with just one movie, we have a bonus recommendation! If you’re still curious about the complex history between Netflix and Blockbuster, Netflix vs. the World is the perfect companion stream. Available on Prime Video and Tubi, the 2019 documentary explores how Netflix went from plucky disruptor to streaming bon vivant. Netflix vs. the World delves deeper into the fascinating story between the two companies and illustrates just how close we came to being the “Blockbuster and chill” generation.

If you’re looking for a nostalgic double feature, you can’t go wrong with The Last Blockbuster and Netflix vs. the World. The best part? No late fees.

Where to stream The Last Blockbuster