A.V. Opinions: Modern nostalgia and the rise of new VHS creators
As someone who grew up in the late ’80s and early ’90s, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the analog world of VHS tapes. For me, collecting modern VHS tapes is about more than just nostalgia. It’s about recreating an experience that I find deeply comforting and joyful. I’ve started a “VHS Night” tradition where I put on one of these tapes, sit back, and let the grainy imperfections of the format take me back to simpler times. It’s an experience that merges my love for modern movies with my childhood memories.
There’s something magical about popping a tape into the VCR, hearing that familiar clunk, and being transported back to a time when video stores were the ultimate destination for entertainment. Recently, my love for this bygone era has taken a fascinating turn as I’ve discovered the world of modern VHS creators. These artists are not only keeping the format alive but turning it into a platform for creativity.
Modern VHS creators are reimagining what it means to own a tape. They take contemporary films and transfer them onto VHS, creating a retro aesthetic that feels like a time machine. These aren’t just quick, slapdash conversions either. Everything about the process is meticulously crafted. The packaging, the artwork, and even the tapes themselves are designed with care, blending old-school charm with fresh, modern ingenuity. It’s a unique combination of nostalgia and innovation.
Some creators are making glow-in-the-dark tapes, adding scratch-and-sniff stickers, or including side folds that perfectly capture the feel of vintage VHS releases. There are clam cases, oversized cardboard big boxes, and even tapes with unique textures or designs that scream nostalgia. Every detail, down to the placement of stickers and labels, feels like a love letter to the past. Some of these tapes are so beautifully crafted they could stand alone as art pieces.
In addition, some of these creators use techniques like pan-and-scan to reformat modern widescreen films into the classic 4:3 ratio, while others crop the image to fit the VHS format. Every artist seems to have their own approach, and as someone who’s just started collecting these modern tapes, I’m taking my time exploring all the options.
It’s worth noting that I’m still in the early stages of exploring this community. Some creators have been kind enough to send me review copies of their work, and I’ve been slowly ordering tapes to get a sense of each artist’s style. The creators I’ve encountered so far like Witter Entertainment, Death by VHS, Kadi Video, Lunchmeat VHS, Retro Release Video, Unstable King, and VHS is Life (check out his VHS mold cleaner) are doing incredible work. Visiting their websites and scrolling through their social media pages feels like stepping into a video store from the past, complete with the excitement and creativity that made those spaces so special.
The selection of films available is staggering. Titles like Drive, Mandy, Godzilla Minus One, Pearl, X, Maxxxine, Blade Runner 2049, Thanksgiving, Death Proof, Fall Guy, and Ready Player One are just a few of the modern movies being given the VHS treatment. These tapes represent the perfect intersection of past and present, offering a way for fans to relive the magic of VHS while discovering something entirely new.
If you’ve ever felt the pull of a video store, the thrill of a dusty rental case, or the satisfaction of rewinding a tape, this is a community worth exploring. The modern VHS movement is more than a niche hobby. It’s a celebration of creativity, nostalgia, and the enduring appeal of analog media. To all the creators out there keeping this format alive, thank you. Your work is a testament to the power of nostalgia and the endless possibilities of creativity. For the rest of us, it’s time to press rewind, press play, and enjoy the magic of modern VHS.
Sidenote: If there are any other VHS creators out there I should know about, please feel free to message me or comment below. I’d love to hear about more amazing work and continue shining a spotlight on this incredible community.
-Brad McBoom