The Movie Studio

Do you remember, years gone by, when you would go to the video store with your friends and wander the genre aisles for an hour looking over all the blockbuster and lesser known films deciding what movie to watch Friday night? It was just as much fun as watching the movie!
Visit the Movie Studio and relive these awesome memories! They have an amazing selection of foreign, horror & independent films that you will never find in a «Red Box». Into Animé? They have an entire back room for you weirdos. (Just kidding, I’ve been known to creep around there from time to time.) They have all the blockbusters (including 3D bluray) too.
If their vast selection of films leave you feeling overwhelmed, the staff picks section guarantees you end up with a unique & enjoyable flick.
Over the years, The Movie Studio introduced me to endless lesser-​known films (Junebug! Battle Royale! Old Boy!) & incredible documentaries (Born Into Brothels!) & video games I wouldn’t have been able to find elsewhere. (We’re talking the days before Netflix! GASP!) Therefore, I was distressed when their shop was cut in half last year. It’s bittersweet, as it gives the neighbouring Remedy much needed space, but doesn’t bode well for one of the last good video stores in Edmonton.
I implore you to visit The Movie Studio — places like this will go the way of the dinosaur if we don’t support them.
Ps. If the films aren’t enough to entice you — go for the popcorn. Free mini bags with movie rentals, or you could become and addict like me and buy a large bag per week. At $ 2, you can’t go wrong. Seriously. Popcorn.

Blockbuster who? Yea, never mind them, they went bankrupt for a reason! The Movie Studio is great! This one in particular is the best and I refuse to go to any other store.
Every person that works here, a few in particular, are above and beyond helpful. They play interesting music, chat you up about pretty much anything trendy and interesting and they are all genuinely interested in movies. I ALWAYS get good recommendations.
The free bag of popcorn is a plus when you’re walking around looking for movies. Recently I got my mother interested in coming here and she was floored by how much selection they had and how retro the feel of the place was. I can’t say enough for the atmosphere, to be perfectly honest.
It’s my date night go-​to with my husband. Grab a movie, some popcorn and enjoy a Saturday night!

This place is great for hard to find movies and they have a really great foreign film section. I am glad we still have a place to go in the city to physically rent movies. They are shutting down the south side store, but the central and north shop will continue to stay open. While Netflix is great, it’s sometimes just nice to be nostalgic and peruse the aisles of a rental shop for something to watch on a Friday night.
The best part is that they have an Icee machine! If you don’t know, Icee’s are not regular slushes as they are made with carbonation and just taste so much better. Almost kind of fluffy, if you can use that term to describe a drink. Anyways, at one point they were thinking of getting rid of it, but for now they still have it, and I fully take advantage.
All this plus a free bag of popcorn? You have me sold! I love that I am so close to this place so that I can continue to support it like so many other Edmontonians have.

I came in here ironically enough to kill time before a Unilocal event and was really impressed. Movie Studio seems to have an expansive collection of titles that easily eclipses what I remember from their extinct big chain rivals Blockbuster and VHQ. They also come in a wide variety of genres including documentaries and those quirky B movies you always see in the five dollar bin at Walmart.
Their snack section near the front counter seemed quite large as well and extremely reasonably priced. As I walked past the front counter I got greeted by a very friendly employee and I noticed another one making pleasant conversation with another customer.
I am a Netflix user and a big fan but it was still nice to take a browse through their previously viewed section. The majority of them are priced at $ 7.95 making it very easy for those who still prefer the DVD format to beef up their collection. The only thing that stopped me from making a purchase here as well as stopped me from making this a five star review is what I found towards the back of the store in their animé vault section. Sitting on the shelf easily in reach of young little hands are a number of adult themed animé’s with VERY adult covers. If it were not for the covers I wouldn’t have gotten so upset because it’s not like staff can be expected to watch every film in the store but COME ON those half dressed girls are not bent over because they lost their contact lenses while getting undressed to take a shower. It would be so easy to pull those cases off the shelf and replace them with black cases and make people come to the front counter to get the discs so you can check they are over 18. Pornography whether it is animated or not should not be so easy to view by minors.

Good place to rent movies, esp since it’s one of the last ones. Prices aren’t too bad and if you rent 3 you get the 4^th one free.
Not as cheap as the Redbox movies, but good selection of older films (Ace ventura anyone?)
Lately they seem to be running onto hard times.
Their website no longer works, they stopped updating it.
I still go there from time to time to rent movies, but it’s getting to the point where new movies I just select from my cable TV provider as they are nearly the same price and I don’t have to leave the house to pick it up or return it.
(-1 star because your website no longer works)

I used to love the Movie Studio until… they started charging $ 6.25 per movie!
I recently rented two movies and it cost me $ 12.50!
I didn’t see any signs about the change in price and when I asked why so much, the girl ringing me up was kind of indignant about it. I’m sure she’s had a few comments to the negative.
I’ll sit at home and rent from Shaw if that’s the case now. I used to go for the experience of going to wander the lovely southside location and pick out a few movies.
Won’t go back, unless I’m unable to find what I need from the Safeway cheap rental machine or through Shaw.
Sad but true.
:(

The Movie Studio just might be the very last place where you can rent a movie (besides those strange vending machines in Safeway).
Walking the aisles is like taking a trip down memory lane, there are movies here that were only stored in the very recesses of my little brain; Harry and the Hendersons, Big, Pet Cemetary, etc. You remember these movies being awesome, then you pay $ 3, grab some free buttery popcorn, get 17 minutes in and realize that they were awesome because you were 7. Ok, so Big is still good.
The staff at the Movie Studio are very helpful, very cool and very knowledgeable. I always feel like a valued customer here. Even when I have stacks of late fees.
Out of all the movie rental places, I am glad that the Movie Studio is the last one standing, not just for the free popcorn (and it’s good, so good that it never makes it home because I eat it all on the car ride home) but because it’s independent, all Edmonton, and because the selection is huge; movies, TV shows, children, horror, classic, it’s all there. You can come home with «The Last Unicorn» and «The Way We Were» as well as the latest version of the teenagers escaping death but then slowly being picked off one by one in a series of bizarre yet awesomely grusome horrific accidents movie.
And scene!

Normally I would just netflix my movies, but the service in Canada is a joke compared to the US. I suppose it can’t be helped.
Because of the limited selection on netflix, this place is the place to go to rent movies. Awesome selection of foreign movies and documentaries that you can’t find anywhere else! Props to the movie studio!

In light of the Blockbuster and Rogers closures all over the place I have had to find alternative sources for my movie rental needs — this is quickly becoming my favorite place to rent movies. Selection is HUGE (so be prepared to spend some time looking through everything if you are like me and never know exactly what you are looking for) and I can usually find movies here that I can’t find anywhere else — the tricky part is whether or not the movie I want has already been rented out. I find the prices to be reasonable and the staff to be very helpful! Parking can be a bit of a challenge sometimes — seems to be a pretty busy spot. I have been there twice with a friend and both times they waived/​reduced any late fees that were on his account. Free popcorn is a plus too!

This is my favorite movie rental place in the city. They have an extensive selection of older and indie films, some stuff I haven’t even been able to find available to buy online. They also have a huge animé section which some of my friends really enjoy. Their «community service» section, filled with cool Discovery Channel and IMAX stuff, is free to rent. Prices are reasonable and if you rent three movies, you get the fourth for free. They give you free popcorn with your rental which is also a neat bonus! And they sell popcorn on the cheap if you want more than the couple bags they give you. Sweet!

Love this place, when I went to university I use to skip a day off school with my buds and watch terrible movies. I’ve seena lot of seagul, van damme flics, and well they have it all. From new release to the indie movie you, ve been looking for forever. Prices are awesome and well I always have late fees and well they tend to waive them… which is awesome…

There’s really no better option, as the other reviewers have noted. Not only is there an incredible selection of every genre you can think of, the staff are very helpful and you get free popcorn on your way out! Check out the staff pics — they’re great. There have only been a handful of movies I haven’t been able to find here and I can’t find them anywhere (online or otherwise). Rent three older releases and get the fourth free — you can keep them for a week. This deal has saved me during many exam periods, when I needed a break but had no ability to socialize.

This is my Go-​To place for renting movies. I won’t go to any other store. The store is quite large and has a good selection. They don’t just carry the new blockbuster movies. They have a nice selection of alternative/​indie movies, foreign and a nice collection of tv shows. Although I have never stepped foot into it because it’s not my thing they even have a small room dedicated to animé. Staff is always friendly and are quick to help you with any questions or locating certain movies. An added bonus is the rent 3 get the 4^th movie free, pet friendly (And I don’t even have a dog… it’s just nice to see) and the free popcorn. Plus I’m always a fan of whatever music they have playing (usually consisting of random songs the employees like)

The Movie Studio has all of your typical mainstream movies available for rent, plus a huge selection of indie and foreign films. They even have a few racks of rentals set aside for their «alternative» movie collection (think a ton of independent Bill Murray movies).
Because the Movie Studio is so huge, sometimes it can be a challenge to find a specific film. However, staff here are very nice here, and have always been happy to help when I can’t find a flick I’m looking for. Last time I spent a good ten minutes searching for a Synecdoche, when a staff member helpfully pointed out that it was just one stack over.
The best part? Free hot popcorn on the way out with your rental, or a giant bag of popcorn for only $ 3!
My only critique is that The Movie Studio only gets in a few copies of each movie, including mainstream ones, so popular rentals are out of stock. So if you’re looking for a newly-​released flick, go early and check back often for copies!

I LOVE The Movie Studio!
My boyfriend and I just started going there recently because we (well maybe me haha) were sick of the same old Rogers and Blockbuster nights. THIS PLACE IS AWESOME! They have a slushy machine! Free popcorn and big bags of popcorn for only $ 2! There selection of movies is huge and walking out with nothing is next to impossible. If you love Animé like I do than this is definitely the place to go! They have a whole vault committed to just that, it’s pretty sweet. They are pet friendly so you can bring your pets in as well. The staff have always been wonderful, helpful, and always there if you need a hand, except for this one time a girl was putting away movies and could have been more polite instead of just pushing in front of me. I know you have to do your job but I would like to browse. But all in all this place is the best for movies and snacks if your up late, stoned, and looking for something to do.

This is the place to go rent movies!
The Movie Studio is Edmonton’s best independent movie store and there are many reasons why it gets this title.
The staff here are so helpful and friendly. I remember when I just got my dog, we brought him in with us, and all the staff here bending down to pet him and one even asked me to bring him up on the counter so she could give him kisses. They also know their stuff. People who work here are not just employees, they are movie lovers.
The selection here is also great. They have all the new movies, but they have great independent and indie films here too. They also have specials that other stores wouldn’t do (like rent 3, get the 4^th free).
I love the Movie Studio!

This is definitely the best movie rental place in the city. Unfortunately it’s so far from my house that I can never come here but it is close by the university so it is very convenient for students.
When you walk into the Movie Studio the staff will greet you and then you get some popcorn to eat while you browse the store. It is a nice touch. They have a great selection. They have new and old movies but they also carry many documentaries, foreign films, etc. that you won’t find at the brand name stores.
If you are planning a movie night you should plan to get your movies from here. Even their movie snacks are better than anywhere else.

Love The Movie Studio! It is officially my favorite place to rent movies.
Not only are you greeted by friendly staff when you come through the door (and it’s genuine, not a forced Blockbuster greeting), you get free popcorn to walk around the store with! Whoever came up with that idea is a genius in my mind. It gets you in the movie mood before you even get home!
I also love their selection. They have more new releases than Blockbuster! Blockbuster has a lot of movies but I find that these guys have a much better selection.
They also have huge bags of popcorn you can buy for $ 2! That’s right ladies and gentlemen, more popcorn than you would get a theatre for only $ 2. I love these guys!
They are friendly, they are not overpriced, and they care. That’s a lot to get from a movie rental store. They are on the very top of my list for that reason!

The Movie Studio is by far the best movie rental place ever as far as I know! They have an unbeatable selection of new releases, oldies, indie films, foreign, special interest and lots of documentaries. You are also greeted with free popcorn at the door which is always way to salty and fresh, just the way I like it. The staff here all LOVE movies and can recommend something if you don’t have anything in particular in mind. They have a great selection of snacks as well. I am particularly bad with getting things back on time, but thankfully they have also known to be very forgiving with late charges. I don’t know how any other store could compare!

My relationship with the Movie Studio on 109 St. is one of love and hate. My weak spot for salty snacks is met at the door with free mini bags of popcorn which you can munch on while browsing the movie selection. They also sell jumbo bags for $ 2 — which I invariably must get once my craving’s been teased and toyed with so. I must say, it’s refreshing to be in a video store that isn’t Blockbusters or Rogers. But what these guys score twinklies for in character and ambiance, they lose in the rental experience they have provided. On three occasions I can recall, I rented a DVD and got halfway through watching it at home, when it … $%!?%# …just up and stops working! There is nothing more frustrating. They did apologize (more than once) and give me a free coupon to make up for it, which was nice, but that doesn’t really matter when you’re sitting at home in a state of cinematic suspense when a glitch ejects you from the experience. Go for the fabulous popcorn but inspect your DVDs closely before taking them home!