Netflix Celebrates End Of DVD Era With A Nice Surprise For Remaining Subscribers

After a quarter-century of operation, Netflix is ending its DVD-by-mail service this September. If you're still a DVD subscriber, or if you resubscribe now for some reason, you'll have a chance at getting 10 movies sent to you later this month.

An email sent to subscribers said Netflix is trying to "have some fun" with the send-off, and that includes gifting members with as many as 10 DVDs. These will be films from subscribers' DVD queue, and they will ship on September 29, which is the last day Netflix will distribute DVDs.

"You won't know if any extra envelopes are headed your way until they arrive in your mailbox!" Netflix said (via Collider), adding that this promotion is only available "while supplies last" and in a "limited quantity."

"We wish you happy viewing and truly thank you for being part of our final season. Enjoy each and every red envelope," Netflix said.

Netflix says it has mailed out more than 5 billion DVD and Blu-ray discs in the US since 1998. With the rise of digital and streaming, Netflix's by-mail offering declined and declined. In 2022, Netflix reported that its DVD business brought in $145.7 million in revenue, or 0.5% of the company's total sales, according to Variety.

Netflix had 40 million unique DVD subscribers over the years. The first DVD shipped was Beetlejuice on March 10, 1998. The most-requested DVD was The Blind Side, which is back in the news now that the movie's subject has called the real-life story inspiring it a lie.

If you want to sign up for Netflix's DVD package now, plans start at $10/month for one disc at a time, scaling to $20/month for three discs at a time. Some movies not available to stream on Netflix are available through DVD, so that's something.