Man's 'Blockbuster' closet transformation will take people straight back to the 2000s

Over-the-top (OTT) entertainment services have become the go-to place for movie lovers. However, when the technology was still in its early days, people used to turn to the iconic rental store chain “Blockbuster” to get physical copies of their favorite movies and TV shows. To get a feel of the nostalgic era of selecting films in-store, a man transformed his home into a haven for long-forgotten VHS tapes and DVDs. Yes! You read that right. The owner of the “second-to-last Blockbuster,” John Martino (who goes by @johnfmartino on TikTok), is winning hearts online for transforming his tiny closet into something creative and functional.

In the carousel video, Martino revealed how his creative instincts and nostalgia for “Blockbuster” inspired him to have his own. It started with the content creator deciding to renovate his bedroom closet. The movie buff shared that he recently started collecting old VHS tapes. It prompted him to add an innovative touch to his boring cupboard, which he described as “my DIY Blockbuster” store.

In his tribute to the nostalgic American movie rental store, John Martino transformed his closet to mirror the iconic "Blockbuster" look. Following his makeover plan, he chose the signature blue-and-yellow color scheme that was synonymous with the brand, including its store interiors from the early 2000s. The space now features blue carpet, yellow-painted sidewalls, shelves and even a snack rack, recreating the familiar Blockbuster experience.

The DIY "Blockbuster" also included a "staff picks" section for Martino's dog and a hidden VCR. A video documenting the transformation showed Martino adding more shelves to increase the space's capacity. “Got the crazy idea to turn a tiny closet I have in my bedroom into a miniature ‘Blockbuster.’ I gutted the closet, painted it that signature yellow, added in carpeting, built-in shelves and interior lighting hooked up to a remote switch, built a staff picks rack for my dog and me, and a snack rack for the customers,” he explained through the caption.

Furthermore, Martino hooked up the official “Blockbuster” sign to an on-and-off switch, which gets triggered by pressing on a specific VHS tape. “It is an actual TV hooked up to a hidden VCR so that you can watch a movie while you browse! This project turned out so much better than I could have imagined, and it makes me smile so hard,” the video creator explained, claiming that for him, “this is art.” The wholesome makeover video garnered over 11 million views, with a variety of reactions, including some viewers jokingly claiming only two Blockbusters exist now.

In the comments, several others pointed out the required improvements, including gumball machines and movie slots. “I live in the town that is home to the last Blockbuster store, and I still rent movies there on a weekly basis,” claimed @superkewlsunshine. “This is sweet. It inspires me to at least get a Blockbuster sign for my physical media display,” added @zogg. @smolpotato123456789 suggested, “You should put a mirror on the ceiling. I remember vividly Blockbuster having a bunch of mirrors everywhere.”

You can follow John Martino (@johnfmartino) on TikTok for more movie-related content.