How does Redbox get exclusive blu-ray titles?

[BluBonnet]

I couldn't find a separate thread on this - anyone else notice that redbox now has some movies on blu-ray that supposedly weren't released in blu-ray?

Like recently, I rented Drunk Parents on blu and, according to this website and amazon, it's not supposed to have been released on blu. It played fine, too.

I've noticed other titles in the redbox machines that also aren't supposed to exist in blu-ray in the US.

How and when did they start getting exclusive titles? Where can I find a list of all the redbox-exclusive titles?

[AFFanAttic]

I remember someone in a separate thread (for some recent Marvel blu-ray release) mentioned that Redbox buys their own retail copies for renting out. Like, they've been known to have employees buy up some titles in Wal-Mart to stock the area machines. I don't know how true that is or if it's always and only the case.

So's to say -- they probably had that Canadian release of Drunk Parents in their supplier's list of new releases, and that's how they got it in their boxes.

[willard0118]

They make deals with studios for exclusive releases. Just like Best Buy does for steelbooks. If titles are available region free i could see them wanting to put them out there.
But that is all done exclusive thru the studios with redbox.
And yes, every rental store goes thru retail sometimes to buy something they missed or to get more copies of a hot title.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by AFFanAttic

So's to say -- they probably had that Canadian release of Drunk Parents in their supplier's list of new releases, and that's how they got it in their boxes.

This one wasn't the Canadian release, it only had subtitles in English. The Canadian one was English & French subtitles.

[shinobipopcorn]

They put a hold of like 30 bucks when you rent a title right, for if you don't return it? Decent price for a title that has no release.

[cheez avenger]

They also sneak in titles to the kiosk before publishing them online. I rented Captain Marvel on Blu-ray days ago and it didn't start showing up on the site until yesterday. I just happened to be at the supermarket when I noticed CM and rented it. They also had the 4K for rental, as well.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by shinobipopcorn

They put a hold of like 30 bucks when you rent a title right, for if you don't return it? Decent price for a title that has no release.

Isn't it cheaper to just wait until they sell old copies?

[neo_reloaded]

What other exclusive titles have you noticed?

edit: I just looked at their site and the only recent one I recognized as being a redbox exclusive, besides Drunk Parents, is The Professor And The Madman. That and Drunk Parents are both from Vertical Entertainment, so Vertical must be doing some kind of new exclusive deal with Redbox.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

What other exclusive titles have you noticed?

I think right now they have The Professor and the Madman. I'm almost certain they didn't release a US blu-ray...

[shinobipopcorn]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Isn't it cheaper to just wait until they sell old copies?

I don't know, I don't use redboxes or rent movies that often.

[BluBonnet]

I rented The Professor and the Madman.

Interesting movie, a mixed bag but a very unique subject.

The blu-ray was like the other one, very bare bones, no previews, no bonus features, just the movie, chapters (6!) and English subtitles.

[Madman2k]

I purchased Professor and the Madman from the box for $3.99. It's driving me crazy that I can't add it to my collection here on blu-ray.com...