What it does
The Criterion Channel streams classic and contemporary cinema with thematic programmes and extensive supplementary material.
Criterion is particularly useful when you want context around a film. Introductions, interviews, commentary tracks, video essays and archival footage can turn a viewing into a closer look at how the film was made or received. Thematic programming also offers an alternative to choosing from a genre list.
Its streaming catalogue rotates and does not include every Criterion disc release. A Criterion.com sign-in can be linked with the Channel, but disc-store billing and the streaming subscription remain separate. The Channel is available only in the US and Canada.
Strengths
- Supplementary material supports film study alongside ordinary viewing.
Watch out for
- Available only in the US and Canada; the streaming library does not contain every Criterion release.
Sources
- Channel Support | FAQ | The Criterion Collection (Oct 26, 2026)