A man’s personalDIYBlockbusterstore, creatively built inside his bedroom, has left people amazed. Taking to hisTikTokpage on Wednesday (November 20),John Martinoquickly wentviral, amassing 3.6 million views after sharing a carousel of his very ownVHStape shop.
John shared photographs of hisBlockbuster-inspired creation, revealing how he transformed a small, ordinary closet in his bedroom into a nostalgic tribute to the beloved American movie rental store.
HighlightsMan turns bedroom closet into DIY Blockbuster store, gains 3.6M views.Closet makeover includes yellow walls, shelves, and a snack rack.Features ‘staff picks’ section for John’s dog and hidden VCR.Viewers astounded, jokingly claim only two Blockbusters exist now.Suggestions for improvement include gumball machines and movie slots.
As he explained in the caption, theTikTokerhad recently started collecting VHS tapes. However, he soon ran out of space to store them.
“Got the crazy idea to turn a tiny closet I have in my bedroom into a miniatureBlockbuster,” he explained.
John completely overhauled his closet, completing the space with signature yellow walls, shelves, blue carpeting, and even a snack rack.
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A man transformed his bedroom closet into an impressive Blockbuster VHS store
Image credits:Bend Blockbuster
Moreover, the make-believe movie rental shop is decorated with a “Coming soon” sign, which includes the1990smoviesHouseguest,Good Will Hunting, andAlmost Heroes.
John wrote in the caption: “This project turned out so much better than I could have imagined and it makes me smile so hard. To me, this is art.”
Image credits:johnfmartino
A person wrote: “I just love creative minds like what do u mean u have a walk-in Blockbuster.”
Someone else penned: “Great now I want a Blockbuster in my closet.”
“From someone [whose] first job was at Blockbuster Video in 1999, this is a flex bro!” a cybernaut shared. “Respect.”
A commentator added: “This gave me a lil [serotonin] boost thank you.”
Viewers were amazed at John’s unexpected creativity
“Are you hiring?” a netizen asked.
A separate individual chimed in: “This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.”
Many viewers shared their suggestions as John asked his audience what he should do next with the space.
While some encouraged theDIYmaster to install a gumball machine, others pointed to an “adults only” section behind a “tiny curtain.”
“Teeny tiny movie posters!” a TikTok user suggested, while another recommended John hang up a “Be Kind. Please Rewind” sign.
“You need a slot in the door for returns,” an observer noted. Additionally, someone highlighted the importance of the space smelling like the authentic Blockbuster.
A person subsequently revealed that the Glade PlugIn in the scent “Aqua Waves” smelled just like the real deal.
John also shared a tour of his mini Blockbuster in a video onTikTok. The clip showed his impressive VHS collection, which includedBatman Foreverand some other 1990s classics, such asTeenage MutantNinja Turtles.
John has since exclusively spoken toBored Panda
“It feels like there’s always room for more,” John admitted.
“I have such vivid childhood memories of going to Blockbuster every Friday night to rent movies with my friends and family, so doing something Blockbuster-related just felt right,” he explained.
The handyman revealed that he began collecting VHS tapes after discovering affordable finds, including bothAce Venturamovies and a working VCR, at a newly opened Savers thrift store promoted on Instagram.
Since then, the 38-year-old has expanded his collection through garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay, noting the growing popularity of VHS collecting.
“My personal staff pick is Scream and I’d say that’s the most special tape that I’ve got in the lot,” John admitted. He added: “Not only is it the rare blue cover edition with Neve Campbell on the front, but the film also holds sentimental value to me, as Scream was the first R-rated horror movie I ever saw as a child, and it blew me away.”
The Southern Californian man who works as a Repair Operations Manager for a major gaming tech company recalled: “I remember my Uncle Rick took me down to our local Blockbuster and we rented it because I wanted to watch it.
“Looking back, was letting a 10-year-old watchScreama great idea? Yes, absolutely. That film created a horror fan for life. Thank you, Uncle Rick.”
John revealed that his favorite VHS tape wasScream
To recreate the nostalgic Blockbuster vibe, John focused on three key elements: the iconic yellow paint, blue carpet, and a snack rack alongside a “Coming Soon” board.
After sourcing Sherwin Williams Confident Yellow from Lowe’s and custom blue carpet from Home Depot, the resourceful man painted the walls, installed shelves, and added the final touch with a delivered Blockbuster-style sign.
“My closest friends and family reacted in two ways: excitement over how it turned out and complete disregard for how insane of an idea it is,” John admitted.
Blockbuster was formerly a major player in the entertainment industry
He added: “They all just keep telling me that this is ‘the most John s**t ever’ and I honestly completely agree with them.
“This isn’t weird; this is who I am. Everyone wants to come over and pick out a movie to ‘rent’ together, and I love it.
What started as a practical way to store a movie collection has become a personal journey into nostalgia, transporting John back to simpler times spent with friends and family.
“I honestly can’t express how much I love that this project is making millions of people smile just as much as it makes me smile,” he said.
When John isn’t busy collecting VHS tapes or cutting holes in his walls to enhance his Blockbuster-inspired project, he enjoys spending time with his beloved pug, Reptar, and his supportive circle of friends and family.
A passionate movie lover, the TikToker also enjoys creating films, and most recently, a short film he co-wrote with his friends was selected for several festivals.
Blockbuster was a popular video rental chain that became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s and early 2000s, primarily in theUnited Statesand other countries.
At its peak, Blockbuster had thousands of locations worldwide, but with the rise of digital streaming services, the chain declined and closed most of its stores, leaving only one remaining location in the US today.
Though tourism has become its primary business, attracting visitors from all over the world, the store has maintained a retro atmosphere, with customers enjoying the classic rental experience.
“Now everybody is like, ‘Aw, man, we miss it,’ which is always funny,” Sandi toldThe Washington Postin April. “You’d be surprised how many people insist on paying their late fees now to support the store.”
John’s creativity brought about a wave of nostalgia and awe with viewers
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