During the heyday of home video, nearly everyone had at least a few of these movies in their VHS collection. Beginning in the middle of the 1970s, technology like VHS and Betamax completely revolutionized the lifespan of movies. Before home video, fans had to hope that older films would play on TV or return to theaters for a limited engagement.
Because the tapes themselves were prohibitively expensive for the first decade or so, video rental stores began popping up around the world. VHS eventually beat out the technically superior Betamax, and became the dominant home video format until it was eventually usurped by DVD. Two generations of people grew up with VHS tapes, so they’re extremely nostalgic.
By the 1990s, VHS had become inexpensive enough so that the ordinary consumer could buy tapes instead of just renting them. This caused a spike in tape sales during the decade, with some films selling upwards of 20 to 30 million copies. As such, many households had the same movies in their library, creating a common experience among film fans.
Shrek (2001)
Though Shrek could be considered a tweener (released on both DVD and VHS), it did quite well on the older format. DreamWorks’ irreverent box office smash concerns an ogre who becomes an unlikely hero, and it was like no other cartoon from the time. The fully CGI animated film was the final nail in the coffin of the Disney renaissance.
Like most hit family films from the era, Shrek was a success on home video. This helped spark a franchise which is still ongoing today. Shrek was the perfect movie for video because it could be watched repeatedly without losing any of its witty edge. What’s more, it had referential humor that appealed to adults.
Independence Day (1996)
Though it was by no means the best action film of the 1990s, Independence Day had a massive cultural impact in the middle of the decade. The Will Smith alien invasion epic resurrected the classic B-movie premise but brought in modern effects and bombastic action. The Roland Emmerich film set the standard for the director’s career.
After its theatrical success, audiences were clamoring for the movie when it landed on VHS. Though it wasn’t the highest seller of the tape-crazed decade, Independence Day was a home video smash that put most other live-action movies to shame. Disaster movies are best in theaters, but that didn’t stop everyone from having the tape.
Home Alone (1990)
Taking its rightful place among the great Christmas movies, Home Alone got the 1990s off to a great start. Penned by John Hughes, the family-friendly comedy made Macaulay Culkin a household name and put a humorous spin on the home invasion formula. It made a mint in theaters and continued that trend when it landed on VHS.
Variety notes that Home Alone was the best-selling home video of all time at that point, though it was eventually blown away by skyrocketing sales later in the 1990s. Considering its Christmas classic status, it makes sense that audiences would want to have the movie in their collection so that they could dust it off every winter.
Batman (1989)
Tim Burton’s Batman pulled superhero cinema into the modern age, and the comic book movie was a must-have on VHS. Utilizing just the right amount of pulpy camp, Burton brings the Caped Crusader to life as he battles his arch-nemesis, The Joker. Action movies were usually hot sellers, so Batman‘s success just made sense.
Batman didn’t sniff the top 10 in sales, but it was one VHS tape that kept appearing. With its black cover and gold logo, the box instantly grabbed the eye. Since spectacle was at a premium at that point in history, most people couldn’t pass up the chance to bring the movie home to watch it over and over again.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Robin Williams was one of the biggest stars of the 1990s, and his movies like Mrs. Doubtfire were double hits. The quirky family dramedy about a dad who poses as a nanny to be close to his kids tugged at heart strings. It was rushed onto VHS, and hit shelves while the movie was still playing in theaters (via Screen International).
The tape arrived in 1994, just five months after the movie’s theatrical debut. While that might seem silly today, it was lightning-quick for the time. The popularity and exclusivity of having the movie so soon likely led to its VHS triumph, and it was quickly made a part of millions of household video collections.
It took until 1988 for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to make it to VHS, but it forever changed the game. Steven Spielberg’s family classic had already attained legendary status by the end of the ’80s, so fans were clamoring to see it again. A severe price cut is how E.T. found its way into almost every VHS catalog overnight.
The New York Times reports that E.T. sold for only $24, reduced drastically from the usual $89. This put it in a price range affordable for many families, and the sales strategy paid off. The lower price would become standard, but it helped propel E.T. to the top of the VHS charts before it was eventually passed by later releases.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump was one of the definitive ’90s movies, and the familiar white VHS box adorned many shelves. Though he is slow of wit, the title character lives a life of excitement and adventure, crossing paths with historical figures and events. Tom Hanks’ charming performance continued his award-winning journey to the top.
Few films are as universally appealing as Forrest Gump, so it fits into any collection. Its mass appeal made it a VHS bestseller during a banner year for video, and millions of copies sold. To this day, every thrift shop is bound to have at least one copy kicking around, a testament to the movie’s unbelievable success on tape.
Titanic (1997)
After Titanic became the highest-grossing movie ever (up to that point), it went on to have a second life on VHS. The epic historical story of tragedy aboard the ill-fated ocean liner is punctuated by an engrossing love story. Using every tool at his disposal, James Cameron brought the sinking of the Titanic to life on the big screen.
When the VHS arrived in 1998, it demolished previous sales records. Split across two tapes, the VHS is still instantly recognizable. The sky blue cover and iconic font stand out among other VHS tapes as befitting the movie’s gravity. Nearly everybody one, and so many flooded the market that there are modern collectors with thousands of copies (via The Guardian).
The Lion King (1995)
Most of the bestselling VHS tapes are Disney films from the 1990s, and The Lion King tops that list. In a retelling of Hamlet, a young lion must take on his dastardly uncle to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his. From the beautiful animation to the stellar music, The Lion King is the pinnacle of Disney’s greatest cinematic period.
Disney’s ingenious vault system incentivized parents and collectors to rush out and buy The Lion King in droves, pushing it to a staggering 32 million units sold (via Entertainment Weekly). Therefore, The Lion King‘s clamshell case was a mainstay in a lot of households. It’s still highly collectible, though it isn’t very hard to find.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Though it didn’t hold the record for bestselling tape for very long, Jurassic Park is forever associated with the home video medium. Steven Spielberg’s whimsical, adventurous, and frightening tale of dinosaurs running amok pushed Hollywood into a new era. After seeing it on the big screen, many couldn’t wait to get their hands on the video.
Jurassic Park was so popular that a widescreen version arrived in 1997, making it one of the few films to get several releases during the VHS generation. However, the original ’94 edition is the one that most families owned. Though subsequent releases look better, there’s nothing more nostalgic than Jurassic Park on VHS.
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