Netflix DVD Rental Explained

While some people may think that DVD rental is phasing out, Netflix made over $51 million profit in Q1 of 2019, from its Netflix DVD rental service. The company still has about 4 million DVD-by-Mail subscribers as of June 2020.

Before it became a world-renowned streaming service, Netflix was a DVD-by-Mail rental company - and it still is.

The popular Netflix everyone knows today - as the most popular streaming service in the world, available in many regions and countries - started with renting DVDs, sending them out via mails.

To some people, Netflix remains a DVD-by-Mail rental service -to them. So, to date, Netflix still offers DVD and Blu-ray rentals, and this article explains everything you should know in this regard.

Netflix DVD Rental Explained

First of all, Netflix doesn't offer only DVDs, the company also provides Blu-rays (for some additional bucks on top of what you'd pay for DVDs). Netflix DVD rental works in a simple way; you place an order for a DVD or two DVDs and get it/them shipped to your mail address where you can pick it up (or it gets delivered to your doorpost).

Most Netflix movies (not Originals) are available in DVD and Blu-ray disc format - you won’t find it on the online streaming platform. Notwithstanding, most movies that are available on the online streaming platform are also available as DVD/Blu-ray.

Netflix doesn’t provide its Originals in DVD or Blu-ray because it generates more revenue from its online streaming platform. Thus, Netflix Originals are provided/premiered on the streaming platform and not on the DVD platform. Asides from Netflix Originals, you can get almost any movie or TV show you find on the streaming platform, in DVD format.

The millions of subscribers that still order DVDs from Netflix are doing it for some reason. Actually, there are certain advantages to choosing DVD playback over streaming online - we'd discuss that below. However, to get started with the Netflix DVD rental service, you have to sign up and subscribe to a plan.

Yes, the DVD rental service offered by Netflix is a "Standalone" platform; your regular Netflix subscription - to stream on the platform - does not cover DVD and Blu-ray rentals. Well, there's a free trial for new subscribers to explore the service before choosing a plan.

Also, it is important to note that what Netflix offers is DVD rental not “Purchase.” This implies that you don’t own the DVD or Blu-ray being mailed to you. It is expected that you mail it back to Netflix when you’re done watching it - for as many times as you wish.

Well, don't worry about the fees, you won't have to pay a dime for shipping - when ordering the DVDs and when sending them back to Netflix. You only need to subscribe to a plan that suits you the most, and that's all.

How Does Netflix DVD Rental Works?

You have to sign up on dvd.netflix.com and verify your account. Once your account is verified, you have to choose a plan. Depending on your plan, you can place an order for one DVD movie or two; the disc(s) would be shipped to your mail address where you'd pick it up, or have it delivered to your house.

You can have the DVD/Blu-ray for as long as you wish. But if you need to rent another movie, you must return the previous one in your possession. That’s just how it works; no fees, no due dates.

Note: Netflix DVD plans are totally different from regular Netflix streaming plans. If you're getting a DVD plan, you're paying separately for it; and you can't stream with that subscription.

Is There a Free Trial?

Yes, any of the plans you choose provides you with a 30-day free trial. At the expiration of the trial, your added card would be charged the amount of the subscription plan you chose.

Netflix DVD Rental Plans

There are just two plans to choose from; the Standard Plan and the Premier plan. These plans apply to DVD rental and Blu-ray rental. As you may guess, the DVD plans are cheaper than the Blu-ray options, respectively.

DVD Plans: Standard Plan ($7.99) and Premier Plan ($11.99)

Blu-ray Plans: Standard Plan ($9.99) and Premier Plan ($14.99)

What’s Included in Netflix DVD Rental Plans?

You might be curious to know exactly what Netflix DVD plans entail. Well, they are listed below.

• There are two plans each - Standard and Premier - for DVD rentals and Blu-ray rentals.
• The Standard plan allows you to order only one (1) DVD or Blu-ray disc at a time, while the Premier plan lets you order two (2) DVDs or Blu-rays discs at the same time.
• You must return the rented disc(s) before your next order would be sent out - to you.
• There is no deadline or "Due Dates" for Netflix DVD rentals. This implies to say that you can be with the DVD for as long you aren't tired of seeing the movie/show yet. However, until you return a rented disc, you won't get another from Netflix.
• The Standard plans for DVD and Blu-ray rentals are cheaper than the Premier plans, and the only difference between the Standard and Premier plans is the number of discs you can order at a time.

Do People Still Rent DVDs?

In times like this, referred to as the "Digital Age," one may imagine why some people still rent or purchase DVDs? Well, there are still good reasons why people may choose DVD rentals or purchases over digital streaming.

Talking about Netflix, not all Netflix blockbusters are available on the online streaming platform. Some of Netflix's top movies are only available in DVD and Blu-ray formats. So, if the Netflix movie you want to see is not available for online streaming, you have only one option - rent the DVD/Blu-ray disc.

Actually, Netflix DVD rental subscribers have dropped drastically over the years; from over 100 million subscribers to just 4 million (recent statistics as of 2020). Well, it grew to 4 million subscribers in 2020 from 2.1 million subscribers in 2019. We can easily guess that Netflix may shut off its DVD rental services in the coming years, but till then - when the shutdown would happen - the company still offers DVD/Blu-ray rental services, just as it has been doing since its inception.

Advantages of Renting DVDs

Itemized below are some of the main reasons why some people prefer it “the old ways”- rent a DVD or Blu-ray.

• Renting a DVD is the best option for someone living in an area with poor internet strength; where it is impossible to enjoy seamless HD quality streaming. With a DVD, you can play your favorite Netflix movie in clear HD/4K quality without buffering or experiencing glitches due to inconsistent internet connection signals.
• Sometimes, Netflix movies are first released in DVD and Blu-ray format before it appears on the online streaming platform. In such cases, as a DVD subscriber, you’d be watching the movie first, before everyone that’s on the online streaming platform.
• It takes 24 - 48 hours to get your Netflix DVD delivered to you, and you are not paying for the delivery.
• Most movies on the streaming platform of Netflix do not include all the scenes. You'd notice this if you stream online and also watch the DVD version of the movie/show you streamed. Netflix physical discs (DVDs and Blu-rays) include deleted scenes - that are not available on the streamable version of the movie you just rented.
• Also, physical media is still a thing many of us would never outgrow. It makes you feel more refreshed, watching your favorite show in crystal clear quality with the original audio (uncompressed).

A quick trick: return your rented DVDs earlier and the automated system would always put you in the queue - for your next DVD - faster than other people who delay a long time before returning a DVD.

How To Manage Your Netflix DVD Orders

Get on the dedicated Netflix DVD platform: dvd.netflix.com. Search for the DVD/Blu-ray you want to order and “Add to Queue.” You can manage your orders from the “Queue” page.

Can You Copy Netflix DVDs/Blu-rays?

Using professional software like the DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray Copy program, you can copy any DVD or Blu-ray movie losslessly. DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray Copy is designed with the newest decryption technologies to decrypt and copy DVD and Blu-ray discs of any kind. It is a powerful program available for macOS and Windows OS computer users.

With DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray Copy, you can backup Netflix movies and save them on your PC, so you can watch them any time again. The program has about 6 copy modes and supports AAC audio tracks.

Can You Download Netflix Videos?

If you find a video you like on the Netflix streaming platform, StreamFab Netflix Downloader can help you to download the full episodes. StreamFab Netflix Downloader is a premium streaming video downloader program for Windows OS and macOS. It supports 1080p video quality and AAC audio tracks.

This downloader saves the Netflix video metadata info, as well as lets you choose how to handle subtitles; either to save them separately as SRT files or “Remux” them into the downloaded videos. StreamFab Netflix Downloader is very fast and can download 10+ episodes at the same time.

What Popular Netflix Shows/Films are Available in DVD/Blu-ray?

Here are some blockbusters, classic titles, and popular movies that are available on the Netflix DVD service:

• Grace and Frankie
• The Crown
• Narcos Season 1-3
• Dear White People
• The Fall
• Orange Is the New Black
• Longmire
• The Endless
• Marcella
• Planet of the Apes
• Saving Private Ryan
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

There are many other titles available. Netflix has a massive library of DVD and Blu-ray (HD) titles.

Summary

In conclusion, Netflix DVD rentals still exist and it's the favorite option for millions of people, still. If you rent a Netflix DVD or Blu-ray movie, it is expected that you return it soon. However, if you stream on the online platform, you can download your favorite titles using StreamFab Netflix Downloader, and for DVD/Blu-ray copying, the DVDFab DVD/Blu-ray Copy software is the best choice.