Hack Blockbuster DVD Locks With A Corkscrew
As an avid movie watcher, I have had my share of instances where Blockbuster forgot to unlock a DVD case for me. Now, I don’t know about you, but the only thing more frustrating than taking out a bad movie, is taking out a bad movie that you can’t even watch - because it’s case is locked. After the last time this happened, I figured out a way to open it with a corkscrew (desperation breeds ingenuity).
I have not tried this with any other DVD case locks (there are a few kinds), but the basic idea of the locks is a long plastic strip that binds the opening of the DVD. 
Usually Blockbuster employees remember to unlock it using an opener, but a corkscrew can do the job (although it will ruin the lock).
First, turn the DVD case so that the bottom faces up. Next, twist the plastic several times until the top part falls off, exposing the inner plastic strip (it should be hollow).
Now, take the corkscrew (a cheap, simple one will do) and pretend you are uncorking a wine bottle by twisting the corkscrew until you reach under one of the side holes in the strip.
Then make sure the sharp part of the corkscrew goes through the hole, and yank out the strip. It will likely take 2 to 3 times trying to get the strip to come right out.
Voila, you are ready to watch the movie, just grab some popcorn!
For more reading on other types of DVD locks, see Engadget’s post about hacking DVD locks.
Have you had similar issues with DVD rentals in the past? If so, how did you solve them?
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March 12th, 2008 at 8:06 am
You do realize that is technically illegal, right?
Kat,
I don’t see how. You pay for the rental, you have a right to watch it. If Blockbuster did their job right each time, this wouldn’t be an issue. Not to mention those locks cost just a few cents a piece.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
The lock costs the store about 38 cents, our store is charged almost $200 for a box of 500.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Needle-nose pliers work even better because you have to use quite a bit of force. (Try ripping off the large tab; you’ll need to use about 3-5x the force to remove the main part of the lock.)
You should also be able to open it with some experimentation and a couple of strong magnets.
@ blockguy: I stand corrected, thank you for letting me know the amount. I still would rather be charged 38 cents than miss out on seeing the movie I just drove 15-20 minutes to get :-).
April 4th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
No corkscrew needed. All you need is a key. Any key - car key, house key…
Stop making things difficult.
April 5th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
A razor blade is much more efficient, run the razor along the spine of the case and retrieve the dvd… Sure it ruins the case, but do you know how many perfectly good cases they throw away? Hundreds of thousands a day!
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 am
dude, thank you so much for this brilliant little “hack”.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Terry’s hack works beautifully…simply break off the lip at the bottom of the case to expose the hollow core. Insert a key (I used my car key) and press the key firmly to one side of the case. While pressing, pull the key out and the lock should slide out enough to grab with your fingers. Pull and…presto!!!