Table of Contents

Netflix DVD rental was once a dependable way for me to watch movies that were unavailable on streaming platforms. Classic titles, foreign releases, and special editions could be delivered to my home when digital access did not exist. The service officially ended in 2023, which left many long-time users wondering how to handle the discs they still own and how to keep access to rare titles.

If you have Netflix DVDs at home, or you rely on physical media for specific films, converting these discs into digital files is a practical way to keep them accessible on your computer or mobile device. In the following sections, I explain what happened to Netflix DVD rental, where users now look for alternatives, and how you can back up the DVDs you legally own and with stable quality.

Netflix DVD Rental in 2026: History, Alternatives, and Disc Backup

Can You Still Rent DVDs from Netflix?

No. Netflix mailed its final DVDs on September 29, 2023, and DVD.com no longer accepts memberships or rental requests. Any page presenting Netflix as an active disc-rental choice is now outdated.

Many former members still search for their Netflix DVD queue because it recorded movies and TV shows that may not be available on streaming platforms. Unless that legacy data was saved earlier, it generally cannot be recovered through current Netflix account tools. Access now comes from active rental services, libraries, or buying a disc.

Netflix DVD rental history and current alternatives

Netflix DVD Rental History

1997: Netflix launched as a DVD-by-mail business. Customers selected titles online, received discs by mail, and returned them in prepaid envelopes, giving the service broader geographic reach than a local video store.

Late 1990s to 2007: The flat-rate subscription model replaced per-rental friction with a queue, no late fees, and no fixed return date. Netflix then introduced streaming in 2007, beginning a gradual shift away from physical delivery.

April to September 2023: Netflix announced the shutdown in April and mailed its final discs on September 29 after 25 years of DVD service. In my view, the old queue-and-mail model remains the benchmark because it combined catalog browsing, prepaid returns, and flexible viewing time in one system that current alternatives divide among several providers.

Current Netflix DVD Rental Alternatives

After Netflix ended its DVD service, many viewers turned to other sources to fill the gap, especially for films that never made it onto major streaming platforms. I reviewed stable alternatives that still offer physical rentals and found several that remain dependable for accessing DVDs and Blu-rays today.

OptionGameFlyPublic libraries and interlibrary loanSpecialty mail-rental servicesBuying used or new discs
Access modelMail rentalBorrowingMail rental, often per disc or by planOwnership
Disc formatsDVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHDUsually DVD and Blu-ray; 4K availability is limitedVaries by providerDVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD where released
Catalog focusMovies and games, with depth varying by titleMainstream, classic, educational, and locally selected titlesClassic, foreign, independent, or niche releasesBroad marketplace selection, including discontinued editions
AvailabilityUS mail deliveryLocal pickup or transfers between participating librariesShipping coverage variesOnline marketplaces and local stores
Pricing structureMembership plansUsually covered by library membership, although some transfers may carry feesMembership, per-disc fees, or shipping chargesOne-time purchase
Current statusActiveAvailable in many communitiesSome services remain activeActive
Best fitHouseholds that want discs deliveredBudget-conscious viewers and occasional borrowingRare titles not carried by larger catalogsTitles you want to retain or preserve
Main limitationIts movie catalog does not match the former Netflix DVD librarySelection and loan periods vary by library systemSmaller inventories, shipping costs, and shorter loan periods may applyCondition, edition, region compatibility, and price require attention

Availability and service models are current as of July 2026.

NOTE: 

GameFly remains an active US mail-rental option for DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD, although its film catalog should not be treated as a replacement for the former Netflix DVD library. Public libraries and interlibrary loan are often the lowest-cost path, but selection, formats, and loan periods depend on the local system. Specialty mail services may be useful for classic, foreign, or niche releases, while buying a used or new disc makes more sense when a title is rare or repeated access matters. The tradeoff is ownership cost, along with the need to check condition, edition, and region compatibility.

How to Back Up Netflix DVDs You Legally Own

Although Netflix no longer supports disc rentals, many users still keep DVDs they collected over the years. If you want to convert these discs into files that you can play on mobile device, you need software that can read the disc structure and handle the protection used on most commercial DVDs.

DVDFab DVD Ripper is one of the tools that can perform this task reliably. It reads movie discs, removes the protection during the process, and converts the content into formats such as MP4 or MKV. 

 Features
  • Capable of removing the latest DVD copy protection
  • Rip DVDs to various default profiles, such as 3D, Passthrough, 4K/5K/8K, H265, 10/12 bit
  • Support 1000+ video & audio output formats and 260+ preset devices
  • Select the titles, chapters, audio tracks and subtitles you want to rip
  • Multi-core CPUs and Intel Quick Sync are used to provide faster batch conversion
  • Auto-synchronize original metadata info for better management on the media server
  • Offer a built-in video editor that can crop, trim, brighten, add watermarks and external subtitles, speed up/down, zoom in/out a video, etc.

Supported OS:

  Free Download Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

  100% Safe & Clean

  Free Download macOS 10.13 - 15.x

  100% Safe & Clean

How to Back Up Netflix DVDs with DVDFab DVD Ripper:

Step 1: Download DVDFab DVD Ripper and launch the program. Insert the disc into your DVD drive, then select it from the main interface. You can also click the Add button or drag a DVD folder or ISO file into the window. 

Step 2: Choose MP4 for broad device compatibility or MKV for more audio and subtitle options. Select the required title, tracks, and subtitles, then choose the output folder. 

Step 3: Click Start and wait for the conversion to finish.

How to Back Up Netflix DVDs with DVDFab DVD Ripper:

Legal Notice: The information in this article is intended solely for personal backup. Copyright laws differ across countries, and the ability to make a digital copy of Netflix DVD depends on whether you legally own the disc and whether your local laws permit shifting or private copying. Do not distribute copied content or use it for commercial purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Netflix still mail DVDs in 2026?

No. Netflix mailed its final DVDs on September 29, 2023. DVD.com no longer accepts memberships or rental requests.

Can I recover my old Netflix DVD queue or rental history?

Generally, not unless you saved the data before the service closed. Former DVD queue and rental-history records are not normally available through current Netflix account exports.

Where can I rent or borrow hard-to-find DVDs now?

GameFly is a mail-rental option for US customers, while public libraries and interlibrary loan can provide lower-cost local access. Specialty mail services may carry niche titles, but catalog depth, formats, shipping costs, and loan periods vary.

Can I buy DVDs from Netflix's former rental inventory?

Netflix does not operate a public store for its former rental inventory. Former rental discs may appear on secondhand marketplaces, where buyers should check lawful ownership, disc condition, region compatibility, and the exact edition.

Is Redbox still available?

No. Redbox shut down its DVD rental kiosk business in July 2024 during Chapter 7 liquidation, so its kiosks and rental service are no longer operating.

Conclusion

The right post-Netflix path depends on the type of access you need. Use an active rental service or library for temporary viewing, buy a disc when a rare title needs to remain available, or create a personal local backup only from a disc you legally own.

No current option fully recreates the former Netflix queue-and-mail experience. Catalog rarity, disc format, budget, location, and ownership determine which compromise makes sense. For an owned-disc library, DVDFab DVD Ripper provides a Windows or Mac path to MP4, MKV, and other supported playback profiles.