Blockbuster Turns Its Last Standing Store Into A Dystopian Ad
By Nicole Rodrigues, 13 Feb 2023
It was 2014 when Blockbuster closed its last of its doors, no thanks to the rise of streaming services and the shift away from to CDs and DVDs.
But just because the company has been out of operation for almost 10 years now does not mean it’s not ready for one last curtain call.
The company got fans questioning its next move after releasing a Super Bowl advertisement that alluded to a possible comeback.
The campaign spot, titled Blockbuster: Until The Bitter End, is set in a dystopian future and follows an insect as it travels to the last-ever Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon. It ends with a screen card saying it will be “renting your favorite films till the bitter end.”
The promotional film highlights that the last shop of its kind is still alive and kicking, and it’s not going anywhere. Ken and Debbie Tisher currently own Bend’s Blockbuster and mainly sell memberships, memorabilia, and movies.
Independent creative agency Atlantic New York initially set out to tell the story of Blockbuster when they came across the existence of the last store. And with the current wave of nostalgia making its way through pop culture, there was no better time to rouse interest in fans once again.
Nevertheless, as uncertain as its future remains, the store does promise a special something hitting shelves this February 12.
[via The Drum and Sporting News, cover image via Blockbuster Bend]