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Streaming killed the video store star. Yet, here we are, watching the LEGO® project Blockbuster by ThomasFV reviving one of the world’s most iconic retail chains in miniature. The model just reached 10,000 votes on LEGO® Ideas and is officially being reviewed by LEGO®, with potential release news expected around May-June 2026.
The Friday Night Ritual
There was a time when entertainment wasn’t about algorithms. It was about weekend ritual. You’d grab your keys, head to Blockbuster, and walk down rows of neatly aligned VHS tapes. You’d check the back of the box, maybe argue with your siblings about which movie to pick, then grab some popcorn at checkout.
This LEGO® set captures that memory perfectly. It’s a modular-style build complete with a parking lot, the classic yellow ticket-shaped sign, and an interior lined with VHS tapes, game aisles, and even a Dropbox for returns. There’s a candy stand, soda machine, and yes, the all-important welcome mat that greeted every weekend movie hunter.
More Than Bricks, A Memory
Designer ThomasFV, based in Brazil, calls this project a love letter to his youth. Every Friday, he’d visit Blockbuster to rent a movie or game, a ritual that defined a generation. Now, he’s bottled that emotion into something tangible, something that can sit on your shelf as a reminder of the analog era.
When Streaming Met Its Match
Sure, Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ changed everything. But none of them can give you that Friday-night buzz of wandering through aisles of possibility. This project thrives on that contrast, between instant access and earned anticipation. Between the click of a mouse and the clack of a VHS case.
As a LEGO® set, it becomes something else entirely: a cultural artifact disguised as a toy. The fact that fans worldwide rallied to push it past 10K votes proves that nostalgia, when built right, still sells.
The Final Frame
If approved, the LEGO® Ideas project Blockbuster could hit shelves in 2026, The irony is beautiful: the brand that once rented movies could soon become the movie-night display centerpiece of your living room. What was once a fading logo becomes a legend in brick form.
So next time you scroll endlessly trying to decide what to watch, imagine a tiny LEGO® Blockbuster sitting nearby, reminding you that sometimes the best stories begin when you leave the house.
