Best way to rent DVDs?

**mikandmari** · 01-25-2009, 10:33 PM

I don't watch much television, but I enjoy an occasional movie. I'm wondering what is the best way to rent DVDs?

I don't know if Netflix would work for me... because I might want to watch a few movies one week, then none for a few months. Are there any mail-order clubs like Netflix, that charge per movie without a monthly fee or minimum/maximum number of movies?

Any advice is appreciated!

**guest002** · 01-25-2009, 10:42 PM

I have a Blockbuster-in-the-mail account on hold for the moment.

I signed up on www.redbox.com to receive text msgs and every Monday they text me a free rental code. Even if you don't have a free rental code they cost $1 per night to rent. You can also get the locations from the Red Box web site.

**elphie** · 01-25-2009, 11:19 PM

If you have a Redbox near you I would go with that option. They don't work that great for me because the closest one to us is in the next town and you can only keep the movies for one night. I have the cheapest Blockbuster plan and it is only $4.30 per month including tax. I get two movies per month, one out at a time which works great for us. You can also upgrade to $9.99 + tax per month and be able to take your mail in movies to Blockbuster and trade it in for a movie in the store for free. You can also download movies on Blockbuster.com and save them for up to 30 days so you can watch when you want but that has an additional fee, but you don't have to have a monthly plan in order to use the download service.

Netflix has downloads included in most of its packages so that may work for you if you want to watch several movies at once, you'd have to check with their plans.

I also found tons of sites when I googled "download free movies". So that may work. I know there is a way to hook your tv up to your pc so you can watch downloaded movies right on your tv but I'm not sure how to do it, again just google it.

**Kitten20** · 01-26-2009, 01:26 AM

I agree with checking out Redbox locations near you. I have used it a few times and have been very happy. As long as you return the movie on time, it's great.

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-26-2009, 07:24 AM

We love redbox! We use it every now and then and it's great!

**phoeny_moonstar** · 01-26-2009, 07:39 AM

I used to have netflix and loved it until they had a shipping fiasco and then it seemed like I never got as many movies as I once did.

**McD** · 01-26-2009, 09:12 AM

I would suggest Redbox. It's a 1$ a night and it has all sorts of new releases, etc.

**rasilla** · 01-26-2009, 09:12 AM

Have you thought of Hulu (google it) or watching shows/movies via the producer's websites? If you have a fast connection there are plenty of free movie streaming sites out there... you do have to tolerate a bunch of commercials though. I know we have watched Lost through ABC's site before.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-26-2009, 10:02 AM

I would rent the movie via Video On Demand and then record it. It saves you a ton of money because if you really love the movie, you can record it on an HDD/DVD-R player. I'd rather spend $5.99 and the cost of the CD + case than $29.99 when the movie comes out.

**Gabe** · 01-26-2009, 10:13 AM

You could check your local public library. Ours has a media section.
This could be a family outing so that younger ones can choose a book to read also beside watching a movie.

(The rentals run from free to less than a dollar at our library)

**guest002** · 01-26-2009, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

I would rent the movie via Video On Demand and then record it. It saves you a ton of money because if you really love the movie, you can record it on an HDD/DVD-R player. I'd rather spend $5.99 and the cost of the CD + case than $29.99 when the movie comes out.

DirecTV figured that out last year and we can no longer do that

**rainbowgc** · 01-26-2009, 11:11 AM

I agree the library is your most frugal, at ours they are free. Ours has quite a collection + I have donated my dvd's or ones I find at yard sales to help them grow their collection.

**UUMomof3** · 01-26-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by rainbowgc

I agree the library is your most frugal, at ours they are free. Ours has quite a collection + I have donated my dvd's or ones I find at yard sales to help them grow their collection.

This works, IF you are able to get the movies back in a timely fashion. I've had terrible luck with this.

We've been very happy with Netflix, one movie at a time and unlimited streaming. Of course, we are not folks to watch the newest releases. Mostly we're streaming older TV stuff.