A man’s personal DIY Blockbuster store, creatively built inside his bedroom, has left people amazed. Taking to his TikTok page on Wednesday (November 20), John Martino quickly went viral, amassing 3.6 million views after sharing a carousel of his very own VHS tape shop.
John shared photographs of his Blockbuster-inspired creation, revealing how he transformed a small, ordinary closet in his bedroom into a nostalgic tribute to the beloved American movie rental store.
Highlights
- Man 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, the TikToker had 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 miniature Blockbuster,” he explained.
John completely overhauled his closet, completing the space with signature yellow walls, shelves, blue carpeting, and even a snack rack.
A man transformed his bedroom closet into an impressive Blockbuster VHS store
Image credits: Bend Blockbuster
The space now features a functioning Blockbuster sign that lights up, a "staff picks" section for him and his dog, and a hidden VCR connected to a TV for browsing while watching movies.
Moreover, the make-believe movie rental shop is decorated with a “Coming soon” sign, which includes the 1990s movies Houseguest, Good Will Hunting, and Almost 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.”
A slew of nostalgic people were stunned by the Tiktoker’s project, as a user commented: “Now there are TWO remaining [Blockbusters] in the world.”
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
Image credits: johnfmartino
“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 the DIY master to install a gumball machine, others pointed to an “adults only” section behind a “tiny curtain.”
Image credits: johnfmartino
“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 on TikTok. The clip showed his impressive VHS collection, which included Batman Forever and some other 1990s classics, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
John has since exclusively spoken to Bored Panda
Image credits: johnfmartino
“It feels like there's always room for more,” John admitted.
John has since exclusively told Bored Panda via an email that his DIY project was a "total impulse decision" prompted by his lack of space for his "ever-growing" VHS collection.
"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 both Ace Ventura movies and a working VCR, at a newly opened Savers thrift store promoted on Instagram.
Image credits: johnfmartino
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 watch Scream a great idea? Yes, absolutely. That film created a horror fan for life. Thank you, Uncle Rick."
John revealed that his favorite VHS tape was Scream
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.
He said that the hardest part was wiring the floating sign, which required running controls behind the wall and creating a clever on/off switch activated by pushing a VHS tape, currently Batman and Robin.
"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
Image credits: Bend Blockbuster
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.
"And now, with the TikTok post blowing up, A LOT of people seem to be interested in stopping by."
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.
Image credits: Bend Blockbuster
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 the United States and other countries.
Customers would visit physical stores to rent VHS tapes, DVDs, and later Blu-rays to watch movies and TV shows at home.
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.
The only remaining Blockbuster in the world is located in Bend, Oregon, USA. The last store, run by Sandi Harding and her husband, still offers DVD and VHS rentals, along with nostalgic merchandise like T-shirts and popcorn-scented candles.
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 told The Washington Post in 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
