How to Rent Redbox Movies: Online, App, & Kiosk (2024)

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Everything you need to know about Redbox movie rental near you

Co-authored byMason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: May 6, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Renting Movies at a Kiosk
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  • Streaming on the Website or App
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Initially created in 2002, Redbox machines still exist across the United States. While streaming services may be more convenient, Redbox makes watching the latest movies affordable and accessible to all. In this guide, we'll teach you how to rent, purchase, and stream movies using the Redbox kiosk, website, or app!

How does Redbox work?

Redbox kiosks work basically like vending machines for movie rentals— at a kiosk, you pick the movie you want, check it out, and then return it when you're done with it. Redbox machines are cheap, easy to use, and widely available, so visit one to get your hands on the latest movies!

Section 1 of 3:

How to Use a Redbox Kiosk to Rent or Buy Movies

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  1. 1

    Search for nearby Redbox kiosk locations online. To find a Redbox location, use the kiosk locator on the official Redbox site. On the top right of the page, click "Find a Kiosk." Enter your city, zip code, or address to get a list of Redbox locations near you.[1]

    • In the United States, there are over 36,000 Redbox locations, so the odds are that there's one near you if you live near even a moderately-sized town or city.[2]
    • Big metropolitan areas will almost always have many locations to choose from. For instance, there are 50 Redbox locations in San Francisco alone![3]
    • Unfortunately, Redbox does not offer home delivery. You must visit a physical location or use their online services to stream movies.
  2. 2

    Visit your local Redbox kiosk. At the Redbox kiosk, choose one of the four options on the screen: "Rent Movies," "Buy Movies," "Pick Up," or "Return." Select "Rent Movies" to access the latest selection.[4]

    • To reserve a movie in advance, select the movie you want online or on the Redbox mobile app. Pay online and bring the debit or credit card you paid with to the kiosk. Insert, tap, or swipe your card. Your movie will dispense, and you're ready to go![5]

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  3. 3

    Browse and select the current movie rentals. After hitting "Rent Movies," scroll through the available titles. You can view movies by genre or in alphabetical order. Click "+" to view more of the movie's details. Select the DVD type (Standard or Blu-Ray) at the bottom of the screen and your preferred rental length: 1 night, 2 nights, or "Own it" on the next slide.[6]

    • Redbox offers many movie genres, including action, comedy, drama, family, horror, kids, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, and thriller and suspense.[7]
    • If you're renting more than one movie, return to the list of movies to browse for more. If you're only renting one movie, keep reading.
    • If you're vision impaired, call the Redbox helpline at 1-866-REDBOX3 (1-866-733-2693) for audio assistance to choose your movies.
  4. 4

    Select "Check Out" to pay for your movie rentals. After you've added your movies, select "Check Out" to review your order total. Click "Accept and Pay" and swipe your credit card on the card reader next to the screen to pay. Enter your zip code and email address for a digital receipt. Once you've filled out all the necessary information, your DVDs will come out of a slot on the side of the machine. Now, you're ready to binge![8]

    • Standard DVDs and Blu-Rays cost $2.25 to rent, while 4K DVDs cost $2.50.[9]
    • 4K DVDs are only available in select major metropolitan areas, like Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles.[10]
  5. 5

    Return your DVDs by 9:00 pm the following day. Depending on your rental length, return the DVD by 9 pm on the due date. Redbox's daily late fees cost $2.25 for Standard DVDs and Blu-Ray and $2.50 for 4K UHD movies.[11]To avoid late fees, return your movies to any Redbox machine. Press "Return a DVD" and slip it back into the same slot it came out of.

    • If you hold onto your DVD for the maximum rental period (in most areas, it's 17 days), you'll be charged the maximum rental fee plus tax. However, you can keep the DVD at this point.
    • The maximum rental fees for Redbox movies are $38.25 + sales tax in applicable states.[12]
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Section 2 of 3:

Streaming Online or via the Redbox App

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  1. 1

    Stream movies directly from the Redbox website. If you want to watch a new movie without going to a kiosk, you can! Visit Redbox.com and select "On Demand" on the top navigation bar on the home page. You can also view the dropdown menu by hovering over "On Demand" to narrow down your search to featured movies, new releases, free movies, and more.[13]

  2. 2

    Select your "On Demand" type—rent or purchase. To use Redboxes services, you don’t need to pay any monthly recurring fees. In fact, you don’t even need to make an account. Simply select your movie choice and choose between "Rent" or "Purchase." [14]

    • With digital rentals, you have 30 days to start the movie before it's returned. However, once the movie has started, you have 48 hours before it's automatically returned.
    • Redbox offers SD streaming for $4.99 and HD streaming for $5.99. Purchasing prices may vary, but $9.99 (SD) and $14.99 (HD) are the average price points.
    • Creating a free Redbox account is an easy way to stack up points to redeem free movie rentals and additional perks.[15]
    • Redbox also offers Redbox+, a yearly paid subscription of $9.99 or $19.99 for additional free perks, extended rental periods, access to more movies, and more.[16]
  3. 3

    Download the Redbox app to stream movies and watch live TV. Visit the Play Store or Apple Store to download the free Redbox app. Scroll through the homepage to reserve new movies at the kiosk or start streaming instantly. The service offers free movies, live TV, and free movie channels for all-day entertainment. However, their services are only free if you watch ads.[17]

    • You can also access free movies and live TV on the Redbox website.
    • Online reservations can’t be canceled. If you can’t pick up the disc before 9:00 pm the day after you reserve it, you’ll automatically be charged the one-day rental period fee.[18]
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Section 3 of 3:

Redbox Helpful Tips

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  1. 1

    Buy a replacement case from Redbox if you lose yours. At the kiosk, scroll through the list of DVDs and select "replacement case" at the end. Generally, replacement cases cost the same price as a 1-day movie rental ($2.25).[19] After paying with a card, an empty case will dispense from the machine. Then, you can return your disc as normal.

  2. 2

    Wipe the disc with a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol if the disc won’t play. On the rare occasion the disc you rented doesn't play, try cleaning the DVD gently with a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol or water. Rub the damp cloth straight from the center of the disc to the edge.[20]

    • Avoid using abrasive or harsh solvents that can damage the disc.
    • If it still doesn't work, it may be damaged. Report damaged discs to Redbox's customer service team at customerservice@redbox.com. Return the disc to avoid any late penalties.[21]
  3. 3

    Call customer support if the Redbox kiosk isn't working. If, for any reason, the Redbox machine you visit won't allow you to rent movies, don't worry; help is available. Call the Redbox support helpline at 1-866-REDBOX3 (1-866-733-2693) to speak to a customer service representative. The helpline is open seven days a week from 6:00 am to 3:00 am CT.

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  • Question

    How do I pick up free movies?

    How to Rent Redbox Movies: Online, App, & Kiosk (17)

    Community Answer

    Redbox will send out codes for free rentals occasionally through their rewards email program. If you want to use the free movie, rent a DVD like normal and, at checkout, there should be a box to enter the code. You will still need a credit card, though, in case you were to lose or keep the DVD.

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    What service can I use to get DVDs delivered to my house?

    How to Rent Redbox Movies: Online, App, & Kiosk (18)

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    Netflix is prompt and reliable. Once in a while there will be a "glitch" on a disk, but those can be returned with a request for a new disk.

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    Do you have to put your credit card info in to start a new membership?

    How to Rent Redbox Movies: Online, App, & Kiosk (19)

    Community Answer

    There are no memberships. Just put in your card to pay at the Redbox. and you're good. You can give them your email address to subscribe to their email service, though.

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      Warnings

      • Do not remove, rip, or draw on the barcode on the DVD. The barcode identifies the DVD once it's returned. If it's damaged, your DVD may be rejected.

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      About This Article

      How to Rent Redbox Movies: Online, App, & Kiosk (34)

      Co-authored by:

      Mason Martinez, BA

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Mason Martinez earned their BA in Creative Writing and Literature from Purchase College. Their work has been published and awarded in various literary magazines and writing residencies. At wikiHow, Mason writes for the content team to help people from all walks of life to tackle anything they set their mind to. They are a firm believer in knowledge and growth, and they hope to spread that passion through engaging content and storytelling. This article has been viewed 374,156 times.

      1 votes - 0%

      Co-authors: 22

      Updated: May 6, 2024

      Views:374,156

      Categories: Movies

      Article SummaryX

      If you want to rent movies from Redbox, search online to find a kiosk near you, then head to the closest location. Once you’ve found the kiosk, press the “Rent a DVD” button and browse the movies. Once you find the movie you want to rent, tap on it to open the information about the film. From there, type “Add to Cart.” Continue browsing if you want to rent more than one movie, and click “Check Out” when you’re finished. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your credit card information to finish the rental. Take the movie from the slot, then return it by 9:00 p.m. the next day. To rent a movie from the Redbox website, read on!

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      How to Rent Redbox Movies: Online, App, & Kiosk (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Rent Redbox Movies: Online, App, & Kiosk? ›

      Select Search or Browse to find a title on your Redbox app, then select Rent Now and follow the instructions on the checkout page. Scroll through the movies at https://www.redbox.com, then select Rent Now. Follow the instructions on the checkout page.

      How to rent movies from Redbox online? ›

      Select Search or Browse to find a title on your Redbox app, then select Rent Now and follow the instructions on the checkout page. Scroll through the movies at https://www.redbox.com, then select Rent Now. Follow the instructions on the checkout page.

      Why is Redbox removing kiosks? ›

      With video viewing transitioning to streaming, it was inevitable that Redbox would ultimately have to give up on its DVD rental kiosks. The company prepared for that transition by launching its own streaming service, while executives pledged to maintain the Redbox rental business for many more years.

      How to get free Redbox rentals? ›

      Join Redbox Perks

      Redbox Perks is Redbox's reward program that will give you a free rental on your birthday and your Perks anniversary. In addition, you can earn points for each disc you rent or Redbox On Demand rentals you buy. You can redeem these points for free rentals.

      How does the Redbox app work? ›

      Download the Redbox app to stream movies and watch live TV.

      The service offers free movies, live TV, and free movie channels for all-day entertainment. However, their services are only free if you watch ads. You can also access free movies and live TV on the Redbox website. Online reservations can't be canceled.

      How to rent movies online? ›

      Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, FandangoNow, and Google Play all let you rent movies for as little as $3, though most newer releases top out at $8 depending on the quality you choose.

      How much does it cost to rent a movie on Redbox? ›

      Our rental fees are charged per night: DVDs - $2.25. Blu-Ray - $2.25. 4K UHD - $2.50.

      Why is Redbox going out of business? ›

      Redbox's parent has reportedly filed for bankruptcy protection after defaulting on loans and missing payroll. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, which acquired the DVD rental kiosk company in 2022, told employees of its bankruptcy plans late Friday, The Verge reported Saturday (June 29), citing an internal email.

      What happens if you never take a Redbox movie back? ›

      If you keep an item through the maximum rental period, that item is yours to keep and Redbox will charge you the maximum charge for that item. The maximum charge varies depending on the type of item you are renting and the daily rental charge(s) for the item.

      How do I request a Redbox kiosk? ›

      If you're interested in installing a kiosk in your store or business, please click this link: https://about.redbox.com/request-a-kiosk and complete our application form. Before a kiosk is installed, an analysis of a location's suitability needs to be done.

      Does it cost money to have a Redbox account? ›

      You can watch free live TV with Redbox's Free Live TV service, and rent or buy movies and shows through its On Demand service. Redbox's TV service comes with commercials, and it costs money to rent movies, but there's no monthly fee.

      How many Redbox can you rent? ›

      On your first visit to Redbox (or the first time you use a new payment card at Redbox), you can rent a maximum of 3 discs. Customers who have rented from Redbox before can rent a maximum of 5 discs.

      What is a Redbox code? ›

      Gift codes can be used for 1-day rentals on DVDs, Blu-rayTM discs or $2.25 off a qualifying On Demand transaction. These gift codes don't expire and any extra-day charges are the responsibility of whoever rents the discs. We sell packages of 5, 10, 20, or 50 gift codes.

      How do I rent a movie on Redbox? ›

      Renting at the Kiosk
      1. Browse Movies.
      2. Find the movie that you want to rent and select the + sign.
      3. Select the Check Out button at the bottom of the screen.
      4. Enter your email address to get a receipt.
      5. Select the Pay Now button.
      6. Swipe/Insert/Tap your credit / debit card.
      7. Retrieve your movie.

      What happened to Redbox kiosks? ›

      Despite launching its own streaming service and attempting to maintain kiosk rentals, the company struggled with declining revenue and unpaid debts. In 2022, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment acquired Redbox for $375 million, aiming to combine physical and digital entertainment.

      How many days can you keep Redbox movies? ›

      For each day you keep a rental, you'll be charged for another rental period + applicable tax. If you hold onto your disc for the maximum rental period (in most areas, it's 17 days), you'll be charged the maximum charge and the disc is yours to keep.

      Can you still rent DVDs from Redbox? ›

      Rent or Own on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K, OnDemand, Free Live TV. Redbox.

      How does buying a movie from Redbox work? ›

      Online - visit https://www.redbox.com and select 'Movies to Own' under At the Box. We will place a hold on your credit card for the full amount of the disc until you pick it up. You will be charged when you swipe your card at the box. Pricing - will vary based on the movie.

      Can you download Redbox movies to watch offline? ›

      If you buy a movie, it'll be in your Library to watch as many times as you want. You can also download your movies & TV shows to your device to watch offline later.

      Do you need a credit card to rent a movie from Redbox? ›

      A credit card or debit card is required to rent movies, even if you are using a promo code / Redbox Perks. Your credit / debit card acts like a security deposit for your rental, and it's on hand for daily charges if you want to hold on to your disc for more than one night.

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