DVD/Video Rental in Prague

Renting English-language videos in Prague used to be prohibitively expensive, with some expat-aimed video stores charging up to 190 CZK per rental. With the advent of the DVD, it was no longer necessary to have the original version of a Hollywood movie to view it in English – and the prices at expat rental spots were forced to plummet to compete with local shops. There are still plenty of stores with original-version DVDs (and some with VHS tapes for those who love to rewind), but the Czech pujčovny are now a perfectly viable option too. Here´s a list of the best in both categories.

Prague Filharmonic Advent Category + In Article

Probably Prague´s most high-tech DVD-rental system; its special touch-screen kiosks allow you to search for, preview and select your movies without interacting with anybody else. Of course, when you actually go to get the DVD, a real human has to hand it to you across the counter. They claim to have all of the DVDs on the Czech market in their library. You can check online in advance which are in stock where, as well as mark favorites and reserve them for rental. If you like, they´ll even send you an SMS to let you know when the film you want is available.

Expat-oriented rental store attached to the Red, Hot & Blues restaurant. The “gourmet” in its name presumably comes from its wide selection of American junk food, such as Oreos, Duncan Hines baking products, Crisco, root beer and bacon meat (they also have some food packaged to go from the restaurant next door). Stocks a fair amount of VHS (in both PAL and NTSC) and lots of DVDs in Zones 1 and 2. All are English-language originals. Good selection of U.S. TV shows on DVD, including Lost, Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc.