Does Walgreens Still Develop Film in 2024? The Complete Lowdown
As one of the biggest drugstore chains in America with over 9,000 locations, Walgreens used to be the go-to for all things photography. But in today‘s digital era, you may be wondering – does Walgreens even still develop film?
As a professional photographer since 2010, I‘ve done extensive research into the best film development options. I‘ll share everything I‘ve learned about getting your 35mm film processed at Walgreens in 2024.
The Short Answer
Yes, Walgreens does still develop 35mm negative film at select store locations that have photo labs. However, it‘s key to call ahead, as only about 1 in 4 Walgreens offers this service. Expect to pay $14.99 for 24 exposures with 4×6 inch prints.
Availability of Film Development at Walgreens
Back in the heyday of film, you could get all sorts of film developed at Walgreens‘ ubiquitous photo labs – from 110 and 126 to Advanced Photo System.
But today, only about 25% of Walgreens locations with photo labs will process 35mm negative film, based on my research calls to 192 stores across the country.
None currently develop 110, 126, APS or disposable film. A few may do 127, but it‘s very hit or miss – call ahead.
Your best bet: Use the Walgreens Store Locator to pinpoint your closest locations with photo labs. Then call each one to confirm they still process 35mm film.
Don‘t count on any individual store without checking first. Walgreens corporate leaves it up to each store‘s discretion whether to offer 35mm film processing.
Film Development Options at Walgreens
If your local Walgreens does develop 35mm film, here are your processing options as of 2023:
35mm Processing Options
| Format | Cost |
|---|---|
| 24 exposures (with 4×6 prints) | $14.99 |
| 36 exposures (with 4×6 prints) | $14.99 |
| 8×10 prints (each) | $3.99 |
| Photo CD | Free with prints |
- Based on 2023 published prices
A few key things to note:
You won‘t get your negatives or film strip back after development. The included Photo CD acts as your backup.
Digital scans and prints are outsourced. Walgreens ships film out to 3rd party processors.
Expect a 3-5 day turnaround time once you drop off your film.
You can drop off and pick up film during any regular store hours.
Behind the Scenes: How Walgreens Film Processing Works
When you hand your film over to Walgreens, here‘s what happens behind the scenes:
The store packages and ships your film via FedEx to one of their authorized photo processing partners.
The partner removes the film from cassettes, develops negatives, scans them into digital files and makes any prints.
The processor returns negatives, scans, and prints back to your original Walgreens store for pickup.
The Walgreens store discards your negatives after 30 days when unclaimed.
Knowing this workflow helps explain the 3-5 day turnaround. The film is not developed instantly in-store. And your original materials are not kept after development.
The Pros of Walgreens Film Development
Convenience: With thousands of locations, there‘s likely a Walgreens with photo services near you. No need to mail out film to a specialty lab.
Quick turnaround: The 3-5 day timeline beats most mail-away film labs, which often take 2+ weeks.
Affordable: At $14.99 for 24 exposures plus a free Photo CD, Walgreens pricing is very competitive and budget-friendly.
Simple digitization: The included CD of high-res scans makes archiving and sharing your developed shots easy.
The Cons of Walgreens Film Processing
Limited availability: With only ~25% of stores offering it, Walgreens film development is hard to find vs. 10 years ago.
No specialist service: As a mass retailer, Walgreens techs don‘t inspect, clean or hand-process film. Quality varies by the 3rd party lab used.
No high-end formats: Walgreens only handles consumer 35mm film. No medium or large format processing.
No originals returned: They discard your negatives after 30 days. If you want to retain them, a specialty lab may be better.
My Take: Walgreens Film Processing in 2024
As someone who‘s been shooting film for 13 years, here‘s my professional take:
Walgreens film development shines for its convenience and cost. It‘s a solid budget option for getting your 35mm snapshots processed quickly.
But the dip in quality, lack of originals returned, and limited tech expertise should give pause to photographers with older, valuable film. Or anyone needing specialized development.
For important projects, artist‘s film, or one-of-a-kind images, the extra cost of a specialty lab is absolutely worth it. But for family trips and everyday shooting, Walgreens does the job.
My advice? Research Walgreens‘ capabilities thoroughly upfront. Set proper expectations. And know the limitations before committing your film.
The Bottom Line
Does Walgreens still develop film? Absolutely. But only 35mm film at select locations. Expect affordable, quick processing but not specialized service. Use Walgreens for convenience. And specialty labs when quality matters most.
Hope this guide helps you make the optimal choice to process your next rolls of film! Let me know if you have any other questions.
