Opening of Blockbuster Video store in Hollywood [1990]

Opening gala of Blockbuster's first store in Hollywood, California in December of 1990.
Lots of business executives and some celebrity sightings.
Ribbon cutting, etc...

[@TheBrandonn]

This is one of the fanciest blockbusters ive ever seen

[@kindofabigdeal7284]

Exactly!😂

[@maxcalifornia94]

Today’s kids will never know the beauty of walking into Blockbuster or Hollywood Video and running around to find your favorite movie if it was available. Childhood memories. 90’s were a dream.

[@circleinforthecube5170]

except the hundereds of non corporate video stores opened across the country that lasted until around 2015, its not a all at once thing, like architecture, we didin't all just start building modern architecture at once it just gradually happened, if you mean gen alpha yes they probably never saw a video store but gen z especially in rural areas with worse internet probably have been to a video store in the late 2000s/early 2010s, DVDs were still relevant and in my opinion are better than streaming

[@maxcalifornia94]

@@circleinforthecube5170 Gen z and alpha most likely I guess I’m speaking more of a California pov. My mistake. I say this because I have cousins who are born post millennium and they’ve never set foot in a video store. Don’t know remember watching vhs tapes. DVD for sure but a video store like the one in this video.

[@mollies13]

when I was a kid I just go rent game on ps2

[@PAPicturesOfficial]

I’ve been to Blockbusters before as a kid. Such memories.

[@flutebasket4294]

Welp, this is the best damn Blockbuster I ever saw!

[@worldchamp1999]

it was indeed the best blockbuster any of us saw

[@franksandoval6046]

@@worldchamp1999 do not use streaming service media please

[@lldjwhyteell]

@@franksandoval6046dude it’s 2023, I worked at Blockbuster in 2000-2001 but that time is done. I love streaming services!

[@franksandoval6046]

@@lldjwhyteell people used to work at Blockbuster and other video stores and video rental stores lost their jobs and their homes

[@ofb-jq5lc]

Only in Hollywood. All the Blockbusters I went into were not even 50% as spiffy as this one.

[@emmanuelespataro3139]

1990 was a great year.🎬 ❤🙂

[@Hiiamsamm]

Indeed. It was the year I was born !

[@Hail_To_The_King]

And thus began the greatest decade in history

[@Hiiamsamm]

Grateful to be a kid in the 90's

[@RETROGEMS]

Oh how I miss Blockbuster!!! So many awesome Friday and Saturday nights were spent there. I still remember browsing through the horror aisle (my favorite) and seeing all of the cool and unique VHS cover art. Streaming is great, technically better than any video store in terms of selection and variety and ease of access. BUT....there's something that's been lost with the demise of the video store. That anticipation, that feeling of excitement, a communal experience surrounding the love of movies and entertainment. This vid brings me back to my 90s childhood in an awesome way. :)

[@paulsagbakken2996]

So true

[@redkignht1686]

Olny one Blockbuster still left in Brent Oregon

[@depletable]

The experience of move-hunting is lost on streaming. Making a big deal of watching a movie has been destroyed. A little scarcity is a good thing to experience sometimes.

[@banderas2000]

that's what's it's all about. the feeling the memories. u don't get that with simply clickin play on a streaming app

[@DarkWingDuck703]

@RETROGEMS there was nothing like going to the horror section and BAM! In your hand you had that 1978 Classic Halloween 😢 oh how I miss those days. Then heading over and getting that fresh 🍕

[@space_4736]

I always went to Hollywood video as kid. But I do remember going to a blockbuster once in a while.

[@mskay9597]

Same! Hollywood Video was amazing 😊

[@RETROGEMS]

I loved Hollywood Video too! They had a HUGE selection of classic movies/horror movies that I couldn't find at Blockbuster. I also loved the place's theming. Wonderful store.

[@TheBrandonn]

Nothing can compare to hollywoods wall of CRT tvs. Although blockbusters kettle corn was REALLY awesome too

[@TheLockdownKidNYC]

I would think in 1990, a Robocop suit would look pretty shoddy. But they clearly went out and bought/made a detailed looking one for the event.

[@superquad7]

It's the touring suit. It was specifically made from promotion events and activities like this one.

[@damin9913]

Block buster was awesome in the 90s

[@original_mouse]

No cell phones and physical media 💙

[@85pphoenix]

❤❤❤❤ Best times

[@nukesean]

Omfg on every video… stfu 🙄

[@johnnycarter2283]

i use my cellphone all the time but i will admit cellphones i think are part of whats ruining people, if you agree with me just reply back with a yessssssssssssssssssssssss

[@dougfisher1813]

The movies we stream we do not own, and they can alter those streaming versions of movies to fit modern social standards. I'm waiting to see if they'll cut the Einhorn strip scene from Ace Ventura (1994). Do not discard physical media. I found trash bags full of dvd movies at the landfill recently.

[@tylermoulton7294]

A gigantic illusion and you bought right into it

[@matthewrohde4198]

Love seeing those foreign and classics sections. I'm sure I would've browsed this place for hours if I had ever gotten to go. Thanks for preserving it for future generations.

[@chriswagner7891]

Only issue you might have had was that only the Big cities had foreign films sections. I live in a average sized town and I never saw a classic or foreign sections and I use to go to like 3-4 different blockbusters. It still a great time though. How I miss the 80’s-90’s.

[@FromTheHood2TheWoods]

My mom taking us to Blockbuster and letting us pick out a movie or two was the best

[@davidmunoz4408]

Man I do miss the good old days searching for a video you will want to see twice

[@caseycbenn]

I lived in Hollywood from 2005 to 2009. Used to go to this exact Blockbuster. They showed the front stairs area quite a bit that goes to the upper level but didn't show the back stairs which is another way down on the other side. There would usually be large cardboard standup advertisements behind the rail on the way down. A little small carpeted area that was behind the rail and likely built that way so small kids wouldn't fall through the rail to the lower area. Just kind of closed off in general. Anyways, my kid used to climb back there and hide behind the rail and the carboard displays that were there. I would always have to go fish him out of there. Was fun times for sure.

[@DisneyFan-eg3oz]

What happened if you were in a wheelchair? How did you get up to the 2nd floor?

[@caseycbenn]

​@@DisneyFan-eg3oz There was an elevator as well, though I didn't see it used much.

[@ericzaldivar2205]

Location/Address?

[@h3cz_]

I would kill to experience this. Seriously. I'm jealous of y'all that got to do this. I only gone to a blockbuster twice my entire life. Now the same building has become a weed dispensary. 😂😂😂. Can't complain.

[@kindofabigdeal7284]

It truly was an experience

[@EdwardTrujillo-ph2lz]

I worked in this exact store about 8 years after this was filmed. Those 8 years weren’t kind on it…it was pretty run down by then. But it was a very high traffic store so I’m sure it was lots of wear and tear!

[@adrnacad3434]

Must’ve been quite the time. I’m a Gen-Z and I only got to experience blockbuster in their early 2000s.

[@davidcurry332]

Wow, I’m sorry to hear that bro I’m from the 80s and not Mid90s Matt remember one you know running a video and a video game that was kind of like a thing that you had to be good and at least have like a week of school with no you no bad grades no fighting with anybody that kind of thing man you know I have never wow I just I’ve never do you know like exactly what state this was a nurse just wanted to know because I’m new to this chat. I just saw this a cosplayer dress like RoboCop and I was just wondering I’ve never seen a blockbuster like this before.

[@stardmg]

Do you know what's there in its place now? This Blockbuster's gotta be gone, there's only a handful left in the whole country I think

[@SeXaR68]

@@stardmg It was converted into a Chase Bank. 7833 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (Location)

[@wheretheboatsgo]

@@stardmgthe shell of the building remains but is a single-story chase bank

[@ABigNUT69]

Love this nostalgic channel!!

[@lz2k7]

Bro got to be Robocop in 1990, I'm so jealous!

[@damin9913]

We had batman too from 1989!

[@SaintMartins]

Many of the guests at the party were the franchise investors who were drinking up champagne saying "Best investment ever, we're gonna be rich. Nothing can stop us now" Little did they know !

[@ryanhilliard1620]

I think they knew to some extent. I worked at Blockbuster in 1996 and a corporate bigwig stopped in. We were chatting and I said, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had a Blockbuster service connected to our cable system, where we could choose any movie from home?” And he said, “That’s coming, but we’re a ways off from that.” So, I do think they had an idea that streaming services would eventually be available. Maybe they didn’t realize they would completely take over?

[@davidcurry332]

That’s awesome I miss 😢this kinda of stuff

[@SeXaR68]

This particular Blockbuster was near the Sunset strip. It was located at 7833 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046. If you click on "see more dates", you can see the transition of the building. 😢

[@worldchamp1999]

some of my fondest memories were at video stores. some even as late as 2015 like at hastings before they shut down. Feels like a fever dream just thinking about it.but man those corporate stooges sure know how to throw a shindig

[@vampirerobot]

🤣🤣🤣

[@flexor212000]

Robocop just checking things out HAHAHA

[@ed9492]

Surreal. I wouldn't have wanted to be there until 4 AM cleaning the place every Friday and Saturday night after closing time.

[@danielgrinddal179]

Ok, well my local Blockbuster definitely did not look like that 😅

[@movieedge7370]

That blockbuster video look magnificent back in the day . If they only knew what they were going to face years later. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@veerchasm1]

I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s…I have no nostalgia for them nor do I mourn the loss of them. These artifacts are amusing and they serve as a reminder to a dead age

[@kupwav]

My favorite video store memories are from the local chain in my hometown, not Blockbuster. I only remember going to BB as a last resort when I couldn't find anything at the other stores.

[@opaljk4835]

People talk about blockbuster like it fucking rules, when it was expensive and the late fees would compound exponentially to absurd prices. They honestly killed themselves with unfriendly business practices and not adapting to the times fast enough after killing so many mom and pop stores.

[@sangkang6294]

The nostalgia. I remembered Robocop came out as rated r but my father rented one for me.

[@neilsingh5923]

At 1:45, I see rentals of Total Recall on the right. AWESOME!!👊👊

[@blightedgrounds]

This place is so Lit 🔥 Straight up Empire Records vibes

[@pearcegreatesteverleftback03]

Loved browsing these stores. Loved those times, world was a much happier place 😎👍🏻

[@redmustangredmustang]

Ah yes the late 80's and early 90's of neon everywhere and turning to bright colors rather than the earth colors that you saw in the 70's and early 80's.

[@Anarchist86ed]

1:42 Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... Robert Cop 2! Look it up. 🙄

[@vampirerobot]

Interesting...I did as you suggested and honestly did not know this. Good stuff.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Robocop customer was really good.

[@vampirerobot]

🤣🤣 Yes he was!

[@JamesChatting]

That was an actor

[@huntand]

A swanky black tie gala held at a...Blockbuster video store?!? This is what heaven looks like.

[@ChonkySlotDonkey]

Cooool

[@jwgreek8606]

Best damn Blockbuster I have ever seen!

[@MiYakuT]

Nice to see no phones and physical media!

[@Linkmeupcelly]

Laser disc made my brain jump just seein that logo wow the good ol days

[@redkignht1686]

What is robocop doing there?

[@user-ur8vj7el7z]

Best days ever

[@HectorIptwo]

You're under arrest! Be Kind Rewind

[@damianstachelski775]

How do you have all these old tapes of stores, people shopping, etc? Did you film all of the stuff you post?

[@brandongaming1049]

yes?

[@worldchamp1999]

idk but im sippin pop and eatin some buncha crunch like im in the movies

[@HikikomoriDev]

He took them from a KZbin channel that shut down and reposted most of it here, this he did not film. A lot of it is on the Internet Archive.

[@TheBrandonn]

@@brandongaming1049 I dont get think so. The person filming must be older, while the poster who replies to comments gives off zoomer vibes.

[@brandongaming1049]

@@TheBrandonn ok

[@rtjahyadi7868]

Good old times!!!! 👍🏻

[@dustincollins8489]

It's a "Where's Waldo" of who's doing blow!

[@JamesChatting]

You mean who's NOT doing blow

[@fl305]

The neon light signs 🥹🥹🥹

[@sgtpeppers3021]

Great video! Where exactly in Hollywood was this location? I’ve never seen a two story blockbuster.

[@MrTamiya89]

RoboCop. 😀👍.

[@TheBrandonn]

is that the police officer from bm demon 79 doing the ribbon cut?

[@JamesChatting]

Civilization!

[@stevarino1989]

A 1990 Blockbuster grand opening … and ZERO balloons? 🤦‍♂️ but seriously this is one of the most beautiful things I ever saw. We were truly lucky to have gotten to have Blockbuster. With actual physical media. If it wasn’t available then oh well! And long before people were buried in their stupid phones, wearing their stupid pussy masks, (omg I can’t EVER get a sniffle EVER again, I’m a victim!!!!!!!) and making Tiktoks 🤮

[@UrbanExploring1980]

Do you have some rolling acres footage by any chance???

[@vampirerobot]

I don't. Sorry.

[@SWAY_LO-415]

WHAT THE HELL WAS ROBOCOP DOIN THERE!...ONLY IN HOLLYWOOD!

[@FunkyStudios]

Man they got Robocop patrolling the area, must have been a important day.

[@davidcurry332]

Where is this video store at? It’s just like what New York or California Boston I was just wondering.!?

[@thowell21]

In 2001 America slowly started dying, and it's taken us 20 years to understand it. The best 40 years of the country were from 1960 - 2000.

[@mitchell.9632]

Back at there start of the era when the The Video Privacy Protection Act applied. Only camera there that this one could tell was the one filming this video. Maybe a second one on the tape ribbon cutting or maybe they was holding the second mic to a PA system.

[@PAPicturesOfficial]

I will pay professional scientists 2 million dollars to build at least one Time Machine so I can travel to the 1990s to experience it all.

[@ChibiFighter]

Blockbuster was terrible but this looks like a cool looking building.

[@SnarkyRC]

Nice. I designed this blockbuster

[@davidcurry332]

This place almost looks like a accounting or like a business office or something this is different. I’ve never seen a video store like this before. It’s almost got like stairs like a shopping mall or something I wanna wear this is that😮

[@BluetheFortune2006]

Costume sightings: Robocop Fred Flintstone (The Flintstones) Slo-Mo (Blockbuster Kids)

[@FORBIDCharlie1986]

All these suits had zero idea what was coming.

[@lilamint]

Anybody know what's at this location today? Was the building torn down after the Blockbuster closed or just renovated?

[@milton1958y]

I saw robocop & I think Fred Flintstone at 5:33 so are there other characters for that grand opening?🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@purefoldnz3070]

3:19 "Gents lets have a little chat about a new invention called the internet."

[@jonathanparker2008]

Damn...OCP showed up with their most successful law enforcement product, Robocop.

[@mgamesme]

ngl that robocop is terrifying.

[@Bringos76]

What movie did Robocop rent?

[@JamesChatting]

Not Robocop 2 that's for sure

[@alftanner866]

A really swell flat screen for 1990. Would of been great for Mac & Me

[@clauderain4888]

Celebrating all the mom and pop stores they put out of business

[@marcorivera2840]

I see robocop in blockbuster video store

[@TheMorgueLA]

WHAT STREETS WAS THIS ON?

[@goformikey]

sunset and orange grove

[@proudkiwi7641]

I miss these days... back before youtube and streaming the only way to watch certain scenes from a movie was to hire it out and watch the entire movie... I used to watch movies 3 to 5 times back in those days. Now days I'll only watch them once and just youtube the best scenes.....

[@mollies13]

im guessing that the owner of the blockbuster???

[@FdViv]

I wonder what is in that location right now

[@kevofoevo93]

A chase bank

[@jeffreyj95112]

Chase Bank - 7833 W Sunset Blvd

[@flexor212000]

Let me guess. It's now a liquor store...or massage place.

[@PraveenSrJ01]

Probably so

[@Smokey2Mc]

The Glasgow opening had about 5 half blown up balloons outside it 😂 these mofos got wine and Robocop.

[@handsomestik]

Remember what they took from you

[@MrMitchelljung]

When i die i hope i can be reincarnated as an adult living in this time era

[@shanedavid4060]

Hahahahahaha, sir you win the internet today.

[@gator9339]

When I die I want to come back as an eagle or as a dragon or as Jude Law

[@HikikomoriDev]

5:01 look it's sir richard branson

[@jjr1728]

Hah. Guaaaayyyyyyyy

[@bredmaster]

I love the little picture of an devilishly impish hitler under the classics section.

[@non-processedyoutuber1112]

It’s supposed to be Charlie Chaplin.

[@JamesChatting]

Are you joking? I assume you are

[@Clay3613]

People really busted out wine and a mediocre RoboCop impersonator for a friggin Blockbuster opening?

[@vampirerobot]

lol...yes it really happened.

[@flutebasket4294]

It was a better time, Clay

[@dougfisher1813]

It's the Hollywood branch of Blockbuster, their flagship store, which also the presenter said in the video it's their first store. Blockbuster was the Netflix of it's day.

[@missingmissmoss]

Definitely not mediocre! That costume was lit for the 90s

[@GoatzombieBubba]

@@dougfisher1813First Block Buster store opened in Dallas Texas back in October 19, 1985.

[@Thatsright-tr2ks]

Classics Spelled im cursive. Todays kids ..👀 whats that say

[@JamesChatting]

They're not THAT bad

[@Thatsright-tr2ks]

​@@JamesChatting I know. 😇 😬 I should delete

[@MikeHunt-rw4gf]

Algorithm.

[@punchtalestudio]

The suits, the brushings, the all white crowd… so 90s

[@DR-cm4hi]

What the heck are you talking about?

[@JamesChatting]

There were black men there

[@jimmylim5015]

Can we all just go back in time before pronouns and all this woke nonsense going on today?

[@TheMediaHoarder]

Blockbuster was the beginning of woke, they never had porn!

[@lothargrimm9853]

It's crazy to think that the opening of a Blockbuster was a big event.

[@rosh4017]

I ONLY WANTED TO SEE ROBOCOP 😁😁😁😁😁😁