Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Avoid monthly service fees. Redbox users only pay for the movies and shows they want to watch.
2. Download content. People can watch their selected title on the go by making it available offline.
3. No commercials. Avoid being interrupted by adverts with commercial-free purchases.

Cons

1. Can’t always rent titles. There are some movies which have to be purchased.
2. Game rentals discontinued. Redbox On Demand announced in December 2019 that they wouldn’t continue their video game rental service.
3. Charging issues. Some customers have complained online about multiple transactions being charged to credit or debit cards.

Types of content available

As well as pay as you go rentals of movies and TV shows, Redbox offers a service called Redbox Live TV, which allows users to watch live movies and TV shows free of charge.

This option is free as it’s supported by advertising, so users don’t need to create an account or enter any personal information.

Top Redbox TV shows and movies

Jumanji: The Next Level – Spencer goes back into Jumanji, so Martha, Fridge and Bethany go to bring him home.

Spies In Disguise – Lance and Walter are polar opposites, but they are suddenly forced to rely on each other and work together.

Like A Boss – Mia and Mel built up a cosmetics company, but when a buyout offer appeals, their friendship is tested.

The Turning – Kate becomes a nanny for two orphans, but discovers they are unstable. Strange events begin to befall them all.

Just Mercy – Bryan graduates Harvard and defends those wrongly condemned. He fights for Walter, but is plagued by racism and legal obstacles.

The Americans – Philip and Elizabeth Jennings are KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington.

House of Cards – Democrat Frank Underwood is appointed as Secretary of State, and plans revenge on those who betrayed him.

Homeland – Carrie is looking for an American prisoner who could have teamed up with Al-Qaeda.

Outlander – Claire is on a honeymoon after World War II when she is transported to 1743.

The Shield – Examines tension between a group of cops and a captain who is unsure whether to shut them down or advance his own career.

User interface and how to watch

When visiting the Redbox website, users will be able to access a main menu with the options of At The Box, On Demand, Free Live TV, Deals and More. There is a search bar for finding a particular movie or TV show, and a location tool for finding a Box.

Underneath, titles are laid out in an interface similar to Netflix or Disney Plus. Categories could include New Releases & Back At The Box, Most Popular DVD & Blu-Ray, Collections and Big Hits To Own.

Compatible devices for Redbox include Android TV, Apple TV, LG, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio Smart TV, Mac, Windows, iOS devices and Android.

How to cancel Redbox

1. Go to your account.
2. Sign in if necessary.
3. Click on Cancel subscription or Manage subscription.
4. Follow the instructions.
5. Confirm your selection.

Plans available / trials and subscription options

When users go to sign up for Redbox, they are introduced to the perks of having an account. For example, Redbox Perks points can be collected and exchanged for free one-night rentals. 100 points are given per night of DVD rental, and every rental or purchase on demand is credited with 125 points.

The different levels in the Redbox VIP system are Member, Star, Superstar and Legend. Users can progress through this system by initiating more rentals and purchases.

Where rental and purchase pricing is concerned, movie rentals can range between $1.99 for a weekly deal or $9.99 for a new release. A movie purchase could cost between $7.99 and $14.99.

TV shows are available to purchase per season, and pricing will depend on the number of episodes in a season. Prices range from $7.99 to $29.99 in general.

Competitors

Redbox has a strong place in the streaming services industry as its offering is just different enough to make it stand out from competitors such as Disney Plus and Netflix. By offering new releases to rent or purchase individually, Redbox offers a superior content choice on many occasions, as competitor subscribers would need to wait for the movie or TV show to be added to their service. However, the price of buying individual TV seasons may not appeal compared to a cheaper monthly subscription with a competitor for access to more titles.

What we liked about Redbox

The ability to purchase individual movies and TV show seasons is definitely appealing for people who don’t need access to a full library and want to work through individual titles instead. The ability to watch free live TV is also ideal for those who don’t have a lot of free time or are on a budget, as the ad-supported system bypasses the need to pay for a costly monthly subscription. The points system makes renting and purchasing titles significantly more appealing, due to the knowledge that points can be exchanged for rewards and perks.

What we disliked about Redbox

Buying an individual TV season could end up pricing out much more expensive than paying for a catch-all subscription to a service like Netflix, which enables access to a full range of titles for one price. There have also been some complaints about technical issues or multiple transactions being made to bank accounts.

Is Redbox worth it?

Redbox is the perfect solution for cord cutters who don’t want to pay a monthly cost for access to TV channels, as the ad supported service provides programming with no additional cost. It’s also good for new releases which may not have made it to other streaming services yet, as purchases can be made instantly without a need to wait for them to be added to a platform. The ease of use, focus on customer choice and rewards system makes for a pretty appealing service overall.