The Criterion Collection is a renowned American film-distribution company dedicated to preserving, restoring, and presenting important classic and contemporary cinema. Since its founding in 1984, Criterion has set the industry standard for high-quality home video releases, offering meticulously restored films on Blu-ray, 4K UHD, and streaming — ...
The Criterion Collection is a renowned American film-distribution company dedicated to preserving, restoring, and presenting important classic and contemporary cinema. Since its founding in 1984, Criterion has set the industry standard for high-quality home video releases, offering meticulously restored films on Blu-ray, 4K UHD, and streaming — complete with archival materials, director-approved transfers, essays, and exclusive bonus features.
What the Criterion Collection Is Known For
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Film Preservation & Restoration: Criterion works directly with filmmakers, archives, and studios to preserve culturally significant films, often restoring them from the original negatives.
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Definitive Editions: Their editions are widely regarded as the most authoritative versions available, featuring in-depth commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, and scholarly essays.
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Expansive Catalog: Criterion’s library includes groundbreaking international cinema, Hollywood classics, independent films, documentaries, and experimental works from directors like Akira Kurosawa, Agnès Varda, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, and more.
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Curated Streaming: Through its platform, The Criterion Channel, the company offers a rotating selection of films, director spotlights, thematic collections, and rare archival content.
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Cultural Influence: Criterion has shaped how audiences discover classic cinema, how films are preserved, and how film lovers engage with deeper context, history, and artistry.
Why We Love Criterion
Collectors, cinephiles, film students, and critics value Criterion for its unwavering commitment to quality, curation, and preservation. Every release is treated as a work of art — carefully restored, thoughtfully contextualized, and designed for those who want more than just a movie, but a complete cinematic experience.
