Netflix’s most rented DVD of all time is a controversial movie

Amid the news that Netflix will mail its last red-enveloped disc this week, the streamer has revealed its most rented DVD of all time – and it turns out it’s a movie that’s run into controversy of late. 

While most subscribers have switched to Netflix’s digital platform, there’s still more than an estimated one million people using its classic DVD service – where it all began for the streaming behemoth. 

But after more than 25 years, the company has decided to shut down its DVD mail subscription. This Friday, Netflix will officially post its final red envelope, marking the end of an era, one that paved the way for how we consume entertainment at home. 

In light of the news, Netflix revealed its 100 most rented DVDs of all time, with a controversial movie taking top spot. 

Netflix’s most rented DVD of all time is a controversial movie 

The most rented movie of all time from Netflix’s DVD service is the 2009 sports drama The Blind Side, the supposed true story about Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless Black teen who is adopted by a wealthy white couple named Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) and Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw), allowing him to pursue his dream of playing for the NFL. 

While for years many viewers assumed this was a poignant tale about a heroic family who took Oher under their wing and helped to transform his life and become a pro football player, this all came crashing down in August.

The retired NFL star filed a lawsuit against the Tuohy family, claiming their adoption story is a lie and accusing them of tricking him into a conservatorship that allowed them to control his finances and make lucrative business deals in his name. 

He claims that the couple made “millions” of dollars by using his name after the 2009 movie’s release. In the ongoing case, the Tuohys deny the allegations but admitted in a court filing, seen by People, that they described Oher as their son “in the colloquial sense” and that “there was never an intent to adopt him.”

Oher asked the Tennessee court to end the conservatorship, which a lawyer for the Tuohys said they plan on doing. He’s also requested “full accounting” of any and all money earned through Oher’s name and story.

Even before the lawsuit, The Blind Side faced controversy, with critics arguing that it perpetuates the “white savior” narrative. Oher made it clear that he’s never been a fan of the movie, long before taking legal action. 

Despite these issues, the 2009 film is Netflix’s most rented DVD. But as highlighted by Collider, it was released at a time when the firm’s DVD rental service was at peak popularity.

Netflix’s top 10 rented DVDs of all time

You can find the list of Netflix’s top 10 rented DVDs of all time below: 

• The Blind Side (2009)
• Crash (2005)
• The Hurt Locker (2008)
• The Departed (2006)
• The Bucket List (2007)
• Sherlock Holmes (2009)
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
• Inception (2010)
• Iron Man (2008)
• Date Night (2010)

To read more about Netflix’s DVD service coming to an end, head here, and you can find more coverage of The Blind Side controversy below: 

• The Blind Side controversy explained
• How much Tuohys and Oher were paid
• Should Sandra Bullock keep her Oscar?
• Sandra Bullock defended by fans