How to Rent Movies on FandangoNOW: A Comprehensive Guide

Renting movies on FandangoNOW (now Vudu) offers a convenient way to access a vast library of films from the comfort of your home. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the rental process and addresses common questions to ensure a seamless viewing experience.

Table of Contents

Getting Started with Movie Rentals

The process of renting a movie on Vudu (formerly FandangoNOW) is straightforward, but requires a few initial steps to ensure you’re properly set up. It’s simpler than you might think!

Creating an Account and Setting Up Payment

Before you can dive into the world of movie rentals, you’ll need a Vudu account. Here’s how to create one:

Visit Vudu.com: Navigate to the Vudu website (vudu.com) in your web browser.
Sign Up: Click on the “Sign Up” or “Create Account” button, typically located in the top right corner.
Provide Information: Fill out the required fields, including your email address, password, and other personal information. Be sure to use a valid email address, as you’ll need it to verify your account.
Accept Terms and Conditions: Review Vudu’s terms of service and privacy policy, and then check the box to indicate your agreement.
Create Account: Click the “Create Account” button to finalize the registration process.

Once your account is created, you’ll need to add a payment method to rent movies. Vudu accepts most major credit and debit cards. You can also link a PayPal account. To add a payment method:

Log In: Log in to your Vudu account on the website.
Account Settings: Navigate to your account settings. This is often found by clicking on your profile icon or name.
Payment Methods: Locate the “Payment Methods” or “Billing Information” section.
Add Payment Method: Click the “Add Payment Method” button.
Enter Details: Enter your credit card information or link your PayPal account, following the on-screen instructions.
Save Changes: Save the changes to your payment information.

With an account created and a payment method linked, you’re now ready to explore Vudu’s vast selection of movies.

Browsing and Selecting a Movie

Vudu offers several ways to browse its movie library, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.

Homepage Exploration: The Vudu homepage typically features curated collections, new releases, popular titles, and recommendations based on your viewing history. Scroll through these sections to discover movies that pique your interest.
Search Functionality: Use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for specific movies by title, actor, director, or genre.
Genre Categories: Browse movies by genre, such as action, comedy, drama, horror, and more. This is a great way to discover hidden gems you might not otherwise find.
New Releases: Check the “New Releases” section to see the latest movies available for rental or purchase.

Once you’ve found a movie you want to rent, click on its title to view the movie’s details page.

Renting Your Chosen Movie

On the movie’s details page, you’ll find information such as the synopsis, cast, crew, user ratings, and rental options. The key is to understand the rental process itself.

Choose Rental Option: Look for the “Rent” button. Vudu often offers different rental qualities, such as SD (Standard Definition), HD (High Definition), and UHD (Ultra High Definition or 4K). Choose the quality that best suits your viewing needs and device capabilities. Note that higher quality rentals may cost more.
Confirm Rental: Click the “Rent” button for your chosen quality. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm your rental.
Complete Transaction: Click the “Confirm Rental” button to finalize the transaction. Your account will be charged, and the movie will be added to your Vudu library.
Rental Period: Note the rental period, which is usually 30 days to start watching and 24-48 hours once you begin viewing. The exact length will be clearly displayed before you confirm your rental.

Once rented, your movie is available for viewing on any device where you’re logged into your Vudu account.

Watching Your Rented Movie

Accessing your rented movie is just as easy as renting it. The playback experience is designed to be user-friendly and accessible across multiple platforms.

Accessing Your Library

To find your rented movie, you’ll need to access your Vudu library.

Navigate to Your Library: On the Vudu website or app, look for the “My Vudu” or “Library” section. This is typically located in the main menu or navigation bar.
Find Rented Movies: Within your library, look for a section labeled “Rented Movies” or something similar. This will display all the movies you have currently rented.

Starting Playback

Once you’ve located your rented movie in your library, starting playback is simple.

Select Movie: Click on the movie title to open its details page.
Click Play: Click the “Play” button to begin playback. The movie will start streaming immediately.

Device Compatibility

Vudu is available on a wide range of devices, allowing you to watch your rented movies wherever you go.

Smart TVs: Vudu has apps available for most major smart TV brands, including Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio.
Streaming Devices: You can also watch Vudu on streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast.
Mobile Devices: Vudu offers mobile apps for both iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices.
Web Browsers: You can watch Vudu movies directly in your web browser on your computer or laptop.
Gaming Consoles: Vudu is also available on some gaming consoles, such as Xbox.

Make sure the app is installed and that you are logged in with the same Vudu account you used to rent the movie.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about renting movies on Vudu to further clarify the process:

How long do I have to watch a rented movie? You typically have 30 days from the rental date to begin watching the movie. Once you start watching, you usually have 24-48 hours to finish it. This timeframe is specified during the rental process.
Can I download rented movies for offline viewing? Vudu generally does not allow downloading rented movies for offline viewing on computers or web browsers. Some mobile devices may support offline viewing, but it depends on the specific movie and the platform.
What happens if I don’t finish watching a rented movie within the rental period? If you don’t finish watching a rented movie within the allotted time, it will expire, and you will need to rent it again to continue watching.
Can I cancel a movie rental after I’ve paid for it? Once you’ve confirmed a rental and the payment has been processed, you typically cannot cancel it.
What quality options are available for movie rentals? Vudu usually offers SD (Standard Definition), HD (High Definition), and UHD (Ultra High Definition or 4K) rental options. The availability of each option depends on the movie.
Can I rent movies that are still in theaters? No, Vudu primarily offers movies that have already been released on home video. While “Premium Video on Demand” is increasing in popularity, those are rare.
What payment methods does Vudu accept? Vudu generally accepts major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and PayPal.
Can I use Vudu gift cards to rent movies? Yes, you can use Vudu gift cards to add funds to your account and then use those funds to rent movies.
Is Vudu available internationally? Vudu is primarily available in the United States. Its availability in other countries may be limited or non-existent.
What happens to my rented movies if Vudu shuts down? In the unlikely event that Vudu shuts down, you would likely lose access to any rented movies that have not been watched. While unlikely, it’s a risk associated with digital rentals.
Can I share a rented movie with my family members on different accounts? Sharing rented movies with family members typically requires using Vudu’s Family Sharing feature, if available, and ensuring that all family members are linked to the same account or family group. Check Vudu’s official documentation for details.
How do I resolve issues like buffering or playback errors while watching rented movies? Common troubleshooting steps include checking your internet connection speed, restarting your device, clearing the Vudu app cache, and ensuring that your device meets the minimum system requirements. If the problem persists, contact Vudu’s customer support for assistance.

By following these steps and understanding these FAQs, you can easily rent and enjoy movies on Vudu. Happy viewing!