You can find most things at Walmart, from inflatable unicorns to everyday groceries and clothes. So, it’s not far-fetched at all to wonder if they can help you develop a roll of film as well.
After all, a photo center that develops film prints up until now is already quite a rare find, so does Walmart develop film and disposable cameras?
Yes, many Walmart locations still develop film and disposable cameras in 2026, along with printing and scanning services. Two important caveats up front: photo centers have been phased out at some stores (particularly smaller ones), so call your local Walmart before making the trip, and the developing doesn’t happen in-store; your film is sent out to a third-party lab.
When choosing where to develop the cost, estimated duration, and drop-off process before you decide to go with Walmart, so let’s dive into the details!
How Can You Develop Film at Walmart?
If your local Walmart has a photo center located inside, you’ll find that they print out both digital and colored or black-and-white filmed photos.
How to Send Film to Be Developed at Walmart?
Getting your film developed at Walmart is rather simple. All you need to do is seal the roll inside an envelope and drop it off at the store along with an order form.
In this form, you’ll need to fill up some critical info:
- The type of film
- The number of desired prints
- The preferred size of the prints
- The delivery information
- Your contact details
However, there’s a catch here.
They don’t usually return the original negatives. This is because the developing process doesn’t happen in the Walmart store itself but at a third-party lab. Instead, you’ll have to settle for a high-resolution digital copy of your negatives on a CD.
You can note on the order form that you’d like your negatives back and confirm with an associate, but be honest with yourself about the odds: most locations won’t return them, and reports of stores that do are the exception. If keeping your negatives matters to you (and it should, they’re your originals), use a mail-in film lab instead. Our guide to where to get film developed covers the options.
How Long Does It Take to Develop Film at Walmart?
Walmart is usually assisted by third-party photo centers. Since they don’t develop the films themselves, it might take a while before you can claim your print order.
In most cases, expect somewhere between one and three weeks from the time you drop off the film at the store. Walmart’s own site quotes around a week, but real-world turnaround varies a lot by location. Several factors affect how long it takes:
Here are the top factors to consider:
- The chosen service and order size
- How backlogged the photo center is at your local Walmart
- The travel distance between your local Walmart and the third-party developer
So, you can either wait a few weeks or find another photo center if you’re running on a tight deadline.
What’s the Cost for Walmart’s Film Developing Services?
Walmart’s photo center pricing starts at around $8 for a 12-exposure roll with 4×6 prints, rising with the exposure count, and an extra set of prints costs around $2. Prices shift over time and vary slightly by store, but Walmart reliably sits at the cheap end of the retail options.
However, this is still cheaper than similar retail stores that develop films. But does Walgreens develop film? Yes, Walgreens costs $15.99 for 24 exposures.
Here’s the standard pricing table for Walmart’s film-developing services:
| Exposure | Price |
| 12 | $7.96 |
| 24 | $9.96 |
| 27 | $10.96 |
| 36 | $13.96 |
How Can You Develop Disposable Cameras at Walmart?
Once you find out that your local Walmart can develop film rolls, you might be even more surprised to know that they can develop those nifty disposable cameras as well!
How to Send Disposable Cameras to be Developed at Walmart?
Just like the film development process, you’ll have to fill out an order form so that they can have an idea of what type of procedure you need.
The only difference here is that you’ll have to place your single use camera (not just the film) and the order form in an envelope before dropping them off.
Just remember to check your local Walmart’s drop-off and pick-up schedule before you deliver the package.
How Long Does It Take to Develop Disposable Cameras at Walmart?
Once you’re done dropping the package off, they’ll send your order to a third-party photo lab that will develop your disposable camera.
The process can take a few weeks before you can get your hands on the prints, and the same factors that can delay the regular film order can apply in this case, too.
But how much to develop disposable camera outside Walmart? On average, it’ll cost about $15.
What’s the Cost for Walmart’s Disposable Camera Developing Services?
Developing disposable camera prints costs pretty much the same as developing film prints. It starts at $7.96 for 12-exposure at a nonadjustable size of 4×6 inch print. You’ll also get a CD containing copies of the pictures included in the usual price tag.
Of course, the price will increase based on the exposure chosen. Plus, additional fees can apply if you request a larger print size.
You can also digitally resize the photos yourself through the CD and have them printed after that at Walmart. However, this process isn’t as straightforward as developing, and you might end up spending more along the way.
Can You Develop 35mm and 110 Film at Walmart?
Yes, Walmart’s photo center develops both 35mm and 110 film.
Just keep in mind that the film type can affect the price of the order. For example, with 110 film, the normal amount of exposure is usually 24 and not 12. In that case, you can expect the standard price to be $9.96 instead of the starting point of $7.96.
Although it all seems cheap, you still have to note that the quality of the photos isn’t the best. So, be very thoughtful about whether you really want Walmart to develop valuable films.
Can You Develop Expired Film at Walmart?
As it happens, 35MM and 110 films aren’t the limits for what Walmart can develop. In fact, they offer photo-developing services to expired films, as well.
These will undergo the same previous process where you have to seal the film rolls in an envelope and drop them at your local Walmart.
That said, it’s still crucial to note that the roll’s age and quality can have an effect on the final prints. After all, the deterioration might influence the film’s light sensitivity, sharpness, and contrast, so the end results can be a little unpredictable.
Additionally, seeing that the expired roll might be more complicated to process, the charge per exposure can increase from the standard cost. If you’re curious about what the exact cost of your order will be, you can phone Walmart’s customer service to ask.
Wrapping Up
Two related guides before you go: if you’re flying home with an undeveloped roll or camera, read our airport security guide for film first (the new CT scanners are brutal on undeveloped film), and if you’d rather skip the drop-off entirely, developing film at home is easier than you think.
Using film and disposable cameras can add an admirable aesthetic to your shots, but the tricky part is finding a convenient and cost-effective developing service to support your hobby. That’s why it’s good news that there’s still a photography lab that develops them in your local Walmart.
Will you be satisfied with the print quality or the time the process will take? It all depends on your needs and expectations, so give it a go and see if it works out for you!
All in all, Walmart can be a good option if you’re looking for an inexpensive film print. If you’re not in a hurry and want a print with high resolution, you might want to consider other specialized photo centers around you.
