This place feels like it's frozen in time. I felt like I was back at a video rental store in the 90s. There are so many movies here from all eras. It's crazy that a store like this could survive in modern times but I'm glad something like this is around to serve the community! There are a lot of movies for sale and I did find them to be all reasonably priced. Some of the cheaper ones could be as cheap as like $2-$3 which is crazy! (Or even less if you buy in bulk). read more

Captain Video - Music & DVDs Near Me - San Mateo, California

See all

Was happy to find a shop like this as I'm building up my DVD collection. Whoever was working there had a weird vibe. Left immediately. I'll easily find another source read more

Captain Video!There are some vhs treasures to be had here. If you're into digging this is the spot! You can dig along the shelves or there are some boxes on the floor under some of the tables. One of the last places around with that classic local video store vibe, if you remember what that's like. Very chill cool dude who runs the place with some great deals. This is The Guy! He also has some grails on the shelf behind the counter. Get in now before they're gone forever! The parking in the rear is a plus! It's a sharp turn into the driveway leading into the lot so approach with anticipation and caution. Believe it or not, out of many other stops on our mission to this area, we drove up North to come here and we were not disappointed. Happy Hunting VHS nomads. read more

I love coming to Captain video great selection of DVD blu-rays and 4Ks The prices are really good as well it's a great value with a great selection and the customer service is great read more

I went for the adult video section and it did not disappoint.....no place has ever topped it

Holy overpriced and feels very ominous. The owner gave me an extremely unsettling gut feeling and looked dirty. The store was so silent I could hear my blood flowing. He also had some movies in the $2 section that I also saw in the $5,, so this store is very unorganized and garbage. Its a shame because I love movies and am A DVD collector but this store just felt so unsettling, dirty, ominous, unorganized, and bad. I would never return read more

Amazing selection. Amazing prices. Owner(s?) was very helpful. This is a cinephile physical media addicts candy land. Box sets, VHS's, magazines, 4ks, steelbooks. Asked for criterion collection and he brought criterion dvd's I hadn't seen before in person. Thanks for keeping this medium alive. You have my continued support. read more

I just had a great time in Captain Video! The store is super cool and full of great movies. Anytime I come, I find what I am looking for. It's worth it! read more

Dude at the counter was chill to let me to just go in the adult section off the bat. They have a lot of adult videos but they're like so old, newest stuff is like 2012 and thats just a few. I swear 90% of the stuff was 2005 and older. read more

The person who works the counter is super rude and off putting. There are a lot of DVD's and other physical media to look at, but everything in here is so dusty and grimy, even the floors. There's also a really funky smell in there that is so off putting. We walked in and browsed for just a few minutes before we left. I don't think I'll return, Rasputin is a much better option for browsing. read more

Awesome store! I love VHS's and this place has a lot of them, if you're lucky, you'll find some nuggets.

store owner is really rude, was just asking simple questions and were given smart ass answers. if we knew what we were talking about we wouldnt have asked. read more

I agree is the best rental store of all time we want go there it's open! There had vhs and more!

Last video store standing and the owner Ira knows his stuff! He has videos, and DVDs to buy at great prices as well as new releases to rent. Forget Redbox with their limited and lame collection-Go see Ira-the Captain of Video! read more

My husband used to spend hours at this store. (He still would but he has limited mobility now) he really enjoyed the owner, Ira. The prices are the best in the bay area and there is quite a collection of DVDS and VHS as well as Adult Movies. He also takes donations It is not a glamorous store, but the selection is amazing if you are in to collecting DVDs. read more

An uncomfortable store to be in. It's so quiet inside I felt like I could hear my blood flowing through my veins. Not a good selection of DVD's and the dude who was at the register was horrible to my husband. My husband wanted a few DVD's, but he was being charged more than what was listed on the DVD's or signs around the section where he got them. Eventually, we left empty handed because of how rudely we were treated. read more

this place has a lot of great movies and beautiful store setup. the best prices i've seen in the area and the selection is huge

Not a great selection of titles, mostly DVDs, some VHS and Blu-ray. Cases feel dusty, felt uncomfortably quiet in there.

I give this place a solid 4 for their selection of movies and its nostalgic, retro business nature. With the advent of streaming, who does not remember the big chains dying down? Initially slowly, but then blinking fast! Blockbuster video and Hollywood video quickly disappear from the face of the earth like dinosaurs that could not stand the impact of a powerful and lethal meteor shower. For some strange reason, Captain Video survived, and stands tall and lonesome in a land of extinguished species. I discovered captain video when searching for a place where I could unearth some classic movies I wanted to show my kids. They were not in Netflix, or google video, or Hulu, or any of those free apps that have no selections but pepper you with tons of ads. And no, I was not going to pirate either, I'm past that infantile and illegal phase in my life. These guys have it all. I've been there multiple times already and every single time they have a movie I need to fetch. The attendant is helpful and can provide additional commentary on any movie you have questions about: is it safe for kids? How scary is it? what other movies in the same genre? They have blue ray, DVD, and VHS formats. I didn't ask but I wouldn't be surprised if they have BETA too LOL. There is parking in the back since it's located on a main Street. Since there is only one guy, you may need to wait a few minutes before you are taken care of (check out, advise, etc). But overall, a throwback gem that must be supported. read more

See all

This place is awesome! They have loads of VHS, DVD's, Blu-Ray's and vintage magazines! I've been multiple times, and loved it! So retro!

Wow! An actual movie video store in San Mateo. The owner, Ira, was great. He showed me a great collection of film noir movies (my favorite genre). I rented a couple titles from the forties. There is good selection of television shows. I picked up the first season of 'Six Feet Under'. He ordered the second season for me. Great service! I can't recommend this hidden gem highly enough. I'll be back. read more

These reviews are wonderful!!! Keep up the great work, Ira!! Wondering if you take any donations? I have 2 VCRS and lots of VHS tapes

Ah, the good old days of browsing the isles trying to decide what video to watch with your significant other on a Saturday night, or your lonely single self trying to avoid drinking that whole bottle of wine in the cabinet, or just looking to pick out an old classic you haven't seen in forever, but you still have warm memories about. I've been in all those video rental stages, and I'm glad I don't have to part with them just because that new fangled Netflix has come out (though I have that and love the streaming!) There just is nothing that beats the local video store. Netflix will not give you: A. That quirky, aging, hippy owner who constantly looks as if he's going to a Grateful Dead concert B. That secret section in the back with the sign that says "Over 18 Only" C. That awesome selection of old classics you never knew you always wanted to watch right at your fingertips: Hitchcock, and all the James Stewart movies just to name a few. D. The fun experience of pointing out all the ridiculous movies you'd never dare rent, and joking that this is the one you want with your significant other (like in Clerks, "Ohhh, Navy Seals!") So, Captain Video, I hope you stick around through these hard times because the rental experience just wouldn't be the same without you. read more

Captain Video takes the cake. And the best part is, this cake is only two and a half blocks away. TV shows, movies, and large movie posters populate Captain Video's walls. They've got what we want, when we want it, and are friendly to make recommendations. Two-dollar DVD rentals. Sweet deal? Like cake. read more

This place is dope. My husband's birthday rolls around, I ask him what he wants to do and he says "go to Captain Video." If you love movies, music, and anything in between please come give our friend Ira a visit! He has a great wealth of knowledge on film and is always playing great music. He rents out the latest titles of all the commercially popular films and has tons of used titles for sale at great prices. He has tons of cool old VHS to sort through, CDs, books, magazines. You can even peruse through the massive adult title section of DVDs & BlueRays for you adventurous types ;) He will even take special orders if you're looking for something specific. Let's keep this culture alive and instead of streaming online, stroll into your local video store and find that little treasure of a film or show you've been searching for! read more

I love this place! It has a ton of movies to sift through when I have a few minutes to look around. Ira (the owner) has an impressive knowledge of the stock he has, despite the store being pack to the gills with movies. It's often cheaper and way less stressful to think ahead and buy movies here, than rent online and deal with inconsistent streaming movies. It's a fun store to meander through and I really like the owner. It has a family/community feel to it. I try to buy here before renting online whenever I can. read more

Ira is the man at Captain Video in San Mateo, California! I am a regular customer that is actually very picky about her movies. Ira always has a remedy for whatever floats my boat that day! Ira has hundreds of Vhs & Dvd selections, as well as a good amount of Blu-ray titles too. Even if you prefer the 'XXX' titles, he has hundreds of those also. It's pretty much the last video rental store in the area... there has got to be a reason, right? Come in & look around, I promise you won't be disappointed! read more

Purchase some DVDs found one of my favorite horror movies very good service good sense of humor and knowledge of movies thank you we'll come back to find some more movies when have time read more

Good deals on Blu-ray and other used DVDs. They'll hold and lookup any thing you ask for.

Congrats Ira!!!!! Originally from San Mateo. Remember Captain Video from back in the day. I moved away and I am now living overseas. Just heard you on The Kim Commando show. Brought back alot of memories. Keep up the good work. Gonna stop by on my next visit back home. read more

You don't find independent places like this anymore. They have a full range of movies and great service. This might be the last dvd rental joint of its kind in the area so make sure to check it out. read more

Super convenient, super easy to sign up, super chill staff. What can I say? The Capt' simply provides the kind of super service I want in a video store. The adult section looks shady, and the selection isn't fantastic, but I'd much rather support these guys than those annoying Blockbuster guys. read more

Ira and gang are masters of the movie, dvd business. Everything in store has changed recently. They added at least 1000 movies to sell. The policy is usually 24 hours for first run movies and I think seven days for older movies. I always call first to see what's in stock or hear Ira's reviews of current releases. Usually can make a decision once talking it out with them. Good people:-) read more

My wife and I come here and buy movies all the time. I love this store. Lots of new and old releases

IRA IS THE GREATEST! We became members of CV 30 years ago! Unfortunately we became caught up with Netflix (which we have dropped) and "found" CV again. Ira is great! He became aware of the GENRE movies we like and he personnaly wrote up a list of about 50 videos he recommended for us. NOW it is time, again, as we go into 2012 for an updated list. OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU, IRA, AND THE BEST FOR 2012. The Millers San Mateo, CA read more

Old school video rental place with a huge selection of new movies, old movies, dvd, vhs and blurays. The pricing is decent, but can get a little overpriced sometimes. He is a privately owned company that has withstood a huge market shift in media. So he must be doing something right. read more

Ira has a sidewalk sale the last Saturday of each month. Selected VHS for $1.00, selected DVD for $2.00. He has XXX rated DVDs and VHS for sale also.I have found a lot of nice DVDs for $2.00. He has been in business for over 28 years. He is a nice guy. He always has new stuff. He buys, sell and rent out DVDs and VHS. I highly recommend him. read more

Old fashioned place. Good service with a smile. Ira is the best!

Ira is amazing and he was Knowledgable, friendly, and helpful! I was in and out in less than five minutes! Next time I'm in need of a DVD I'll be giving my business to this man! read more