Forty years ago this past weekend, the very first Blockbuster store opened its doors in Dallas, Texas. For anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, just hearing that name probably brings a wave of nostalgia - the bright blue-and-yellow sign glowing in the night, the smell of buttered popcorn near the counter, and the satisfying “click” as a VHS tape slid into its plastic case.
Blockbuster wasn’t just a store. It was an experience. For millions of American families, “Friday night” meant piling into the car, debating between Die Hard or Toy Story, and racing to grab the last copy of the newest release before it was gone.
Map of Blockbuster in 2005 (Source: V1 Analytics)
At its peak, Blockbuster was everywhere. By the early 2000s, it had nearly 9,000 stores worldwide, employed over 80,000 people, and generated billions in annual revenue.
It was more than a business - it was part of American culture.
But success can breed complacency. And that’s where Blockbuster’s story takes a sharp turn.
The Missed Opportunity
You see, innovation doesn’t wait. When streaming and DVD-by-mail services began to emerge - led by a scrappy little company called Netflix - Blockbuster laughed them off. In 2000, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings actually offered to sell his company to Blockbuster for $50 million. The Blockbuster execs turned him down, reportedly laughing during the meeting.
We all know how that turned out.
While Netflix embraced the digital revolution, Blockbuster doubled down on late fees and physical stores. It had the brand, the cash, and the customer base to dominate streaming before anyone else… but it didn’t have the vision. The company launched a halfhearted streaming service years later - too little, too late. By 2010, Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy.
Just like that, one of the most recognized brands in America was gone.
Trade War Profits Are Back
Breaking news: China just walked away from key U.S. trade talks —
and markets are reacting fast.
Most investors see chaos… I see opportunity.
Because history shows every tariff cycle creates massive winners —
the companies positioned on the right side of the trade war.
In my latest video, I reveal the top “Tariff War” stocks set to surge as America
doubles down on manufacturing, energy, and supply-chain independence.
A Timeless Lesson for Investors
Technology doesn’t ask for permission. It disrupts, it evolves, and it rewards the companies willing to adapt before everyone else sees the change coming.
That’s why I always tell my readers: innovation isn’t optional. It’s the lifeblood of every great investment trend. Whether it’s AI, robotics, or clean energy – the companies that innovate will win in the future.
The irony? Today, Netflix - once dismissed as a niche DVD service - is worth over $250 billion and has reshaped the global entertainment industry. Meanwhile, there’s just one Blockbuster left on the planet, in Bend, Oregon - serving mostly as a nostalgic tourist stop.
The Last Blockbuster (Bend, Oregon)
Forty years after that first store opened, Blockbuster stands as a perfect reminder: in business, just like investing, you can’t rely on past success. You have to evolve… or you’ll be left rewinding the past while the future streams ahead.
That same cycle of disruption is happening right now in dozens of industries - and this time, the winners could be your next 10X stocks.
Here’s to the future,
Matt McCall
Editor, Market Insights
