4 Subscription Services That Still Let You Rent Discs

Netflix may have given up on mailing users physical discs, but those still hunting for options should know that plenty of other services are still around. Surprisingly, physical media has become a nostalgic way to watch movies, and many gamers are growing irate as companies like Sony move away from physical discs. With streaming becoming more of a headache because of fragmentation and rising costs, some may miss the days of more traditional services, so we're looking at several online subscriptions that let users rent physical discs.

For gamers, GameFly offers a selection of titles for various consoles and several subscription tiers, though many companies have adopted Netflix's own mailing services. DVDInbox certainly invokes the spirit of the original Netflix, but CafeDVD's focus on physical media may appeal to film buffs and television junkies. Though it's significantly changed its subscription tiers, Choovie may still be worth considering for those who want discs in bulk.

With some hidden gems that are only on DVD, physical media can offer a different experience from streaming, and waiting for your media to arrive in the mail can bring its own excitement and anticipation. However, these services aren't without their faults, though we did our best to find services that offer a wide variety of media and formats. 

Officially launched in October 2002, GameFly has undergone numerous changes, though its core idea of allowing users to rent physical game discs remains largely the same. It offers titles from a variety of consoles, including Xbox Series X, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and more. GameFly also rents titles for handheld consoles and promises titles for "older systems." It also offers movie options, such as 4K, DVD, and Blu-ray, and memberships range from $9.95/month for one Blu-ray or DVD rental to $34.95/month for two "Elite Games or Movies out at a time."

With over 20 years in the rental industry, the company has had to adapt to compete with current trends. In 2011, GameFly purchased a digital storefront from IGN in hopes of expanding beyond renting physical discs, a move it eventually scrapped in August 2018. Some may find this amusing, given Sony's decision to rocket toward an all-digital future. In 2020, Alliance Entertainment, one of the U.S.'s largest wholesale distributors of movies and music, bought GameFly.

On the web, users on the r/PS5 subreddit give the service kudos for helping them save money on games, especially for titles they may want to try before buying. However, in the r/GameFlyService subreddit, several users complain that postal delivery can take much longer than expected. GameFly says it ships discs via First-Class mail, and subscribers receive a prepaid return label to send discs back to the company.

Netflix mailed its final disc on September 29, 2023, and DVDInbox rose from the ashes of its mail delivery service. Upon opening its home page, it's difficult to miss the inspiration, as a giant banner reading "Loved by former Netflix DVD subscribers" sits just below the title banner, which is rather appropriate given that DVDInbox owner and CEO Stephen Vetter started the company in 2023 specifically to fill the void left by Netflix. Despite its young age, the service still offers a collection of 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD rentals through the mail.

Those interested in trying the service have several options, with four subscription tiers that also offer 4K add-ons. These range from the $9.99/month Micro subscription, which lets users have two discs out at a time and two discs total per billing cycle, up to the $29.99 Premium subscription, which offers four discs at a time and unlimited discs per month. However, all of the offerings promise no late fees, and the company also promises free delivery.

Promising thousands of titles, users in the r/NetflixDVDRevival subreddit looking for an alternative note that the service costs a bit more than the original Netflix disc service, though they compliment DVDInbox's customer support and shipping times. If you can't stand certain aspects of streaming services anymore, DVDInbox's selection may appeal to you, but it'll definitely give you some retro Netflix vibes.

Like others on this list, Choovie offers several subscription tiers that let users rent a library of Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and DVDs by mail. It offers television series and movies ranging from newly released titles to "timeless classics," and includes USPS Ground Advantage shipping with every subscription. However, users can also upgrade to USPS Priority Mail for an additional charge at checkout. Users can also search for media using a variety of filters, including the type of sound technology it offers.

In addition to accessing a variety of titles, Choovie also gives users a look at what's coming soon to the platform. However, unlike other platforms on this list, Choovie offers only three subscription tiers, starting at $49.99/month for the Cinematic Gold pass. This plan gives users 12 discs a month and lets them order six discs at a time (twice per month). From there, plans move up to the $62.99/month Masterpiece Collection and the $120.99/month Infinite Cinema Pass, each offering additional perks.

For what it's worth, Choovie originally offered two subscription tiers; however, one user on the r/4kbluray subreddit posted an email in which the owner said a change in their personal life has forced them to scale down operations. Another user also reports signing up but never receiving a confirmation for their disc shipment. Given the subscription-tier issues, this may appeal only to major movie buffs, especially Gen Z kids ditching streaming.

Netflix ending its mailing services affected streaming, to say the least, but the decision definitely inspired multiple companies. Though DVDInbox got its start from Netflix's decision, CafeDVD instead revamped its mail-order services to offer a better experience for those missing the red giant. Founded in San Jose, California, in 1999, CafeDVD caters to media buffs, offering over 60,000 physical titles while also focusing on a mission to preserve physical media.

CafeDVD promises to rely on human curation to add movies to its library rather than algorithms, and the team focuses on hard-to-find media, including selections from Criterion Collection. The company offers six subscription tiers. Users can get a $9.99/month Mini account that offers two discs at a time or two DVDs total per month (4K discs are $1.99 extra), or users can go all the way up to the $35.99/month Large – U plan that allows for four discs at a time with unlimited rentals.

Looking further at the tiers, there are even options for larger, customized plans and pay-per-rental. Customers seem rather pleased with CafeDVD's selection, at least according to users on the r/NetflixDVDRevival subreddit. Users do complain that shipping times can ultimately vary, however, with one user stating it can take up to two weeks to receive a single disc. Of course, some users may also want to remember that DVDs can be cheaper than Blu-ray and streaming.

Since all of these subscription services cost money regardless of tier, we at BGR found it important that they still be worth your money. While scouring the web for services that still mail physical media, we also made sure each platform offers more than just DVDs. We looked for places that offer games, Blu-rays, and more, and we also explored what customers and users say about these services. This means addressing both the positive and negative aspects of a service.