Blockbuster Show on Netflix was not filmed in the Oregon Video Store. Instead, it was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
Blockbuster is a familiar name to the audience, especially those from the 90s. It is the name of the company that once was famous for renting out DVDs, but it declared bankruptcy in 2010, and its stores started to shut down after it was sold to Dish Network.
However, one store managed to survive and still operates in Oregon. They are the only store of Blockbuster in the world. Thus, this status has made them famous and built their reputation that even Netflix has made a documentary and a comedy series based on it.
Was Blockbuster Show on Netflix Filmed In The Oregon Video Store?
Netflix’s comedy series, Blockbuster was not shot in the Oregon Video store, instead, it was shot entirely in Canada.
Blockbuster Show is about to release on Netflix. The release date is set on November 3, 2022. As the only store of Blockbuster in the world, Timmy Yoon, who manages the store, is in trouble as he wants to ensure that his store is not shut down.
He and his employee come up with different ideas to save the store. It is a comedy series with much fun, joy, and laughter, but it also shows what it takes for a small business to succeed.
The Filming Began In Vancouver, Canada In 2021
Blockbuster LLC filed for bankruptcy in 2010 and sold the company’s company-owned outlets to satellite TV provider Dish Network in 2011. But, three years later, they shut all the stores down, and all that was left were a few franchise locations that ran independently under the “Blockbuster” name.
By 2019, Bend was home to the last remaining Blockbuster. Ken Tisher, who still owns the business, continues to license the Blockbuster trademark from Dish Network annually, allowing the establishment to sell merchandise bearing its name.
Dish Network has stopped granting new franchises with the Blockbuster name, which resulted in the Bend location solidifying its position as the final Blockbuster.
In 2020, a documentary filming their story was released on Netflix. And now, in 2022, Netflix is bringing a new comedy series that focuses on the story of the same store.
Although the store is in Oregon, the filming was not carried out there. Instead, the production took place in Vancouver, BC, Canada, specifically at Manitoba Street Studios.
Who Are The Cast In The Series?
The series has five major actors: Randall park, Melissa Fumero, Tyler Alvarez, Madeleine Arthur, and Olga Merediz.
Park plays the role of Timmy Yoon. He is a dreamer and a movie buff who manages the final Blockbuster Video location, which is still in business. Fumero portrays Eliza Walker, Timmy’s longtime love interest.
She is also a store employee who works to pay for her apartment after divorcing her husband. Likewise, Alvarez plays Carlos Herrera, a teenage worker at the store who aspires to be a director like Quentin Tarantino.
Then, there is another young store clerk named Hannah Hadman (played by Arthur), who is also Carlos’ buddy. Merediz plays longtime Blockbuster employee Connie Serrano.
In addition, in the recurring role, there is J. B. Smoove, who plays the role of Percy Scott. He is Timmy’s best friend and the landlord of the strip mall where the store is located. And there is Kamaia Fairburn, who features as Kayla Scott. She is Percy’s daughter, who works at the store.
Blockbuster Release Date
The series is set to release on November 3, 2022. There will be ten long episodes that viewers can watch on Netflix.
What Is The Show About?
It is an American workplace comedy television series based on the Blockbuster brand. The series’ plot examines what and who it takes for a small business to succeed. It is set in the final Blockbuster Video location in the world.
Timmy, the Blockbuster video store manager, learns that the company is shutting down its stores. He soon learns that his store is the last remaining store in the world. Thus, he and his employees try their best to keep the business going on.
Real Story Behind The Blockbuster Store Explained
While the show is based on a store that exists in reality, the story of the series is not true. Blockbuster has its last remaining store in Bend, Oregon, and they also have thier own story of survival.
Their story was released through a Netflix documentary in 2020. The owners and the oldest staff of the store shared how they have been surviving in a world largely dominated by online streaming services.
Sandi Harding Is The General Manager
Sandi Harding is the face of the store, and the staff there calls her Blockbuster mom. According to Independent Co Uk, Sandi began working for Blockbuster in 2004.
She married another employee there and had kids who later worked there. She even got her cat from a Humane Society event held in the store’s parking lot.
She has a long connection with the chain, which makes her the star of The Last Blockbuster. When the documentary was released, she expressed how sweet it was to be the face of the store, but at the same time, she mentioned that she did not want people to think that it was a one-woman show because she had an amazing team behind her.
How Are They Surviving?
The store manager, Dan Montgomery, shared how the store is still surviving, although companies like Netflix dominate streaming services. He said that not everyone likes to watch movies online, and some older customers find the streaming apps complicated and prefer to rent out a DVD.
On the other hand, the owner of the store, Ken Tisher, talks about the experience that customers can get in the store. He says that going to the store, talking to people, getting ideas on what kind of movie you want, and asking a couple of other questions.
Likewise, Ken also mentioned that the status of being the last Blockbuster store in the world has also helped them. He could see people from other cities outside of Oregon coming to the store and even taking selfies.
He even wishes he could charge money to those who take pictures before the sign. But, at the same time, he is glad that they are getting free publicity.
The store has become a tourist attraction and has started selling thier own merchandise on the Bend Blockbuster website. They sell Blockbuster t-shirts, hoodies, beanies, magnets, key chains, and numerous other items, which helps them keep their business going.
The business has been doing well, as they did not even lay off any employees during the covid-19 pandemic. People would come to rent a DVD since they stayed home all day long. The store has 4000 members who regularly rent out movies.
It Has Become A Place For Tourist
Since the Blockbuster store is the last one in the world, it now holds a different place in people’s hearts. In 2018, a local brewery released a dark ale named The Last Blockbuster to celebrate the store.
Likewise, on May 2019, The Ellen DeGeneres Show stopped by the store for a prank hidden camera segment. Then, in 2020, The Last Blockbuster, a documentary produced by Bend filmmakers and starring several famous people like Kevin Smith, Brian Posehn, and Ione Skye, provides information about the store.
Likewise, the second episode of Family Guy’s 21st season, “Bend or Blockbuster,” featured the store as a significant story plot. Since the documentary, more people have been visiting the store.
Some even take selfies and pictures in front of the store. Ken also added that parents take their children to the store and show them how they used to rent a DVD which feels like they are on a museum tour.
Now, in 2022, Netflix has produced a comedy series that is based on the store. And, it seems their reputation will only keep on increasing.
Some FAQs
Where was Blockbuster Show on Netflix filmed?
Blockbuster on Netflix was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
Who owns the last Blockbuster store?
The owner of the last Blockbuster store is Ken Tisher who has always been in the video rental business.
Is Blockbuster on Netflix based on a true story?
No, Blockbuster on Netflix is not based on a true story.