Redbox rents a record 2 million DVDs on New Year's Eve

For many people, a $1-a-night movie rental seemed a good way to ring in another year of economic uncertainty.

Redbox, which is owned and operated by Bellevue-based Coinstar, said it rented more than 2 million DVDs on New Year's Eve, breaking its previous one-day rental record, set Nov. 21 (the Saturday before Thanksgiving), by 170,000.

The night's top rentals included "Paranormal Activity," "District 9," "G-Force," and "Julie & Julia."

"With many Americans celebrating New Year's Eve at home and many more resolving to save money in 2010, Redbox proved a great way to do both," Gary Cohen, senior vice president of marketing and customer experience, said in a statement.

Redbox has more than 19,000 kiosks in such places as McDonald's restaurants and Wal-Mart stores. A typical kiosk holds more than 600 DVDs with up to 200 titles, updated weekly. Customers can rent a movie for $1 a night and return it to any of the company's kiosks.

Coinstar took full ownership of Redbox from a McDonald's affiliate last year.

Amy Martinez: 206-464-2923 or amartinez@seattletimes.com