Since film photography has been on the rise in popularity for the last few years, it is likely that you want to process film that you’ve taken or that you have found film that you want to be developed. Walmart is one of the few places left available to most people in the United States that will still develop film but how much they charge to develop film may be difficult to find.
It costs between $7.96 – $13.96 (plux tax) to develop either color or black & white film at Walmart in 35mm film, APS (Advantix), 110mm, Slide Film, and disposable cameras. The price is based on the amount of exposures on your film and includes film development, a set of 4 x 6 inch glossy prints, and a free CD of your digitally scanned negatives. However, Walmart does not return the negatives back to you.
Now that we know the overall price of developing film at Walmart and what it includes, keep reading for more specifics about cost and what to consider when getting your 35mm, disposable film camera, 110mm, APS (Advantix), or slide film developed at Walmart.
How much does it cost to develop 35mm film at Walmart?
Walmart is the cheapest drugstore (like CVS and Walgreens) that will develop either color or black & white 35mm film and costs $9.96 for 24 exposures and $13.96 for 36 exposures. This price also includes a set of 4×6 inch glossy prints, and a free CD of your digitally scanned negatives. If you want to order a second set of prints with your order, the price goes up accordingly. See the list below for a full list of prices:
Number of Exposures | Single Set of Prints (4×6 in.) | Double Set of Prints (4×6 in.) |
|---|---|---|
12 Exposures | $7.96 | $9.96 |
24 Exposures | $9.96 | $12.96 |
27 Exposures | $10.96 | $14.96 |
36 Exposures | $13.96 | $18.96 |
Many photographers like to shoot 35mm film that has a high number of exposures (such as 36) to save time and money, so the cost would be on the higher end at $13.96 (before tax). However, 24 exposures is more common with 35mm film and it is one of the cheaper options available compared to other drugstores at $9.96 (before tax).
While it takes about 2 – 3 weeks or more to get your color 35mm film developed at Walmart, keep in mind that while the cost is the same to process color and black & white film the wait time is even longer.
Since Walmart doesn’t return your negatives and the scans are not high-quality, check out this list of places to get 35mm film developed
inexpensively.
How Much To Develop Disposable or Single Use Film Camera At Walmart?
Walmart charges the same amount for disposable cameras as 35mm film. Since most disposable cameras come with 27 exposures, you are most likely to pay around $10.96 to develop a disposable camera with 27 exposures including a free CD of digitally scanned negatives, single prints of glossy 4×6 inch prints. Also, if you want to order a second set of prints with your order, the price goes up accordingly. This makes Walmart one of the cheaper options for developing disposable cameras. See the list below for a full list of prices:
Number of Exposures | Single Set of Prints (4×6 in.) | Double Set of Prints (4×6 in.) |
|---|---|---|
12 Exposures | $7.96 | $9.96 |
24 Exposures | $9.96 | $12.96 |
27 Exposures | $10.96 | $14.96 |
36 Exposures | $13.96 | $18.96 |
Since Walmart doesn’t return your negatives and the scans are not high-quality, check out this list of places to get a disposable camera developed inexpensively.
What Film Formats Can Walmart Develop?
In addition to color 35mm film and disposable cameras loaded with color film, Walmart can also develop other film formats like black & white 35mm film, slide film, APS (advantix), and 110mm film for the same price as 35mm film. Luckily, the price to develop these formats is the same as 35mm film and disposable cameras and include a set of 4×6 inch glossy prints, and a free CD of your digitally scanned negatives. If you want to order a second set of prints with your order, the price goes up accordingly. However, keep in mind these formats take much longer to develop than color film at Walmart.
- Most APS (Advantix) film is 24, 25, or 40 exposures on it so the cost is between $9.96 – $13.96 (plus tax).
- Most slide film (E-6) has between 24 – 36 exposures on it so the cost is between $9.96 – $13.96 (plus tax).
- 110mm film comes in between 10, 12, or 24 exposures so the cost is between $7.96 – $9.96 (plus tax).
Number of Exposures | Single Set of Prints (4×6 in.) | Double Set of Prints (4×6 in.) |
|---|---|---|
12 Exposures | $7.96 | $9.96 |
24 Exposures | $9.96 | $12.96 |
27 Exposures | $10.96 | $14.96 |
36 Exposures | $13.96 | $18.96 |
Since Walmart doesn’t return your negatives and the scans are not high-quality, check out this list of places that will develop these formats inexpensively.
Medium Format Film (120mm)
Unfortunately, Walmart does not develop medium format film so check out this guide for the cheapest place to get medium format film (120mm) developed with good scans, prints, and will return your negatives.
How Do You Get Film Developed at Walmart?
The process to have film developed at Walmart is relevantly straight forward. The process involves filling out a form on a paper envelope that holds the film or disposable camera, one for each, and following the steps below:
- First step is to go to the photo department at a physical location and ask for a film development envelope. Bring along your used film (if you are unsure if your film is used or unused, see this guide)
- Fill out the order form / envelope as necessary according to your film format
- Place your used film or disposable camera inside the order form envelope and seal it. Be aware that you should only put one item in an envelope at a time. So if you are developing multiple film rolls or cameras, you will need multiple envelopes.
- Drop your film into the collection box in the photo department inside the Walmart.
The store will notify you once your order has been processed and ready to be picked up. When you pick up your film you will have your 4×6 inch glossy prints and a CD with your digitally scanned negatives on it for future printing or sharing on social media.
How long does it take to get film developed at Walmart?
It takes up around 2 weeks to 6 months to get film developed at Walmart and varies depending on the type and format of film you are developing. This is because Walmart doesn’t develop film onsite and sends it all to a third party developer like Fujifilm North America.
Keep in mind this time frame is for color 35mm film and disposable film cameras loaded with color film only. The processing time becomes longer for other formats like black & white 35mm film, black & white disposable cameras, and other film formats that Walmart can process like slide film (E-6), 110mm, and APS (Advantix).
In Summary
Walmart is a good place to develop film because of the low cost and convenient locations. However, if you want your negatives returned to you and you care about getting decent scans, than I suggest this list of places to get film developed through the mail or in store. However, below are a list of pros and cons about getting film developed at Walmart.
Pros:
- Convenient since you likely live near one of these stores
- No shipping cost (compared to online labs)
- Price is inexpensive compared to other drugstores that develop film like CVS and Walgreens
- Can do both color and black & white 35mm film including disposable or single-use film cameras
- CD of scanned negatives and a set of glossy 4×6 inch prints included with development cost
- Will call you when your order is ready
- Can also develop other film formats like Advantix (APS), 110mm, and slide film (E-6) but locations may vary
- Good option if you are using expired film and not sure how the negatives will turn out since it is so inexpensive
Cons:
- Long wait time
- Get back low-resolution scans and prints
- Get back low quality scans
- Don’t get your negatives back
- Very little, if any, customer service – drop film in a paper envelope in the store
- No online film development ordering available (must go to location)
- No bulk pricing available
- Different cost to develop film rolls with 24 exposures and 36 exposures (unlike other online development labs)
- Will not give a discount on scanning if the roll is blank (like online labs)
