Based in New York, Criterion has released classic and contemporary films since 1984, giving each title a spine number and adding commentaries, essays and supplements. Many discs use new restorations it supervises, and 4K UHD releases began in November 2021. North American Blu-rays are Region A locked, with a smaller Region B UK line since 2016; Janus Films is a sister company, and Steven Rales has owned both since 2024.
Criterion
636 films on Best BluraysBest video release: 222 in 4K405 in HD9 in SD38 more for audio only19 more announced
Best 4K release by tier:
- Excellent141
- Solid55
- Superior Imports1
- Good Imports1
- Good in DV Only1
- Disappointing3
- Worse Than BD1
Films where Criterion's release is the pick. How picks are made
405 of 636 films match · Page 15 of 21
Films where Criterion's release is the pick. How picks are made
Director: Jia Zhangke
Best English-Friendly & Audio:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: slow.pics (opens in a new tab)
Video Notes:
Ad Vitam France Blu-ray https://slow.pics/c/yXkFuvWs
Additional Info:
Criterion is the only disc with Atmos.
Director: Federico Fellini
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Essential Fellini Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab) · DVDBeaver (opens in a new tab)
Video Notes:
Criterion Essential Fellini Blu-ray is vastly superior to the old MoC Blu-ray see DVDBeaver comparisons
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab) · caps-a-holic (opens in a new tab)
Video Notes:
Criterion Blu-ray and MoC have the same restoration, but different contrast levels, Criterion seems to be better see caps https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=3412&d2=3413&c=1417
Director: Roman Polanski
Best English-Friendly:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Scorsese Shorts Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: Frank Borzage
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: Michael Schultz
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: Ousmane Sembène
Best English-Friendly:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Best Video:
Criterion Ousmane Sembène set, 4k transfer
Director: Stan Brakhage
Best English-Friendly:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Best Video:
Criterion By Brakhage boxset
Directors: Robert Siodmak & Edgar G. Ulmer
Best English-Friendly:
BFI vs Criterion?
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: Roman Polanski
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Blu-ray, 4k transfer
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: René Clair
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: Luis Valdez
Best English-Friendly & Video:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: Jacques Tati
Best English-Friendly:
Criterion for 1949 and 1964, BFI for 1964 English Variant and 1994/5
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Best English-Friendly:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Best Video:
Criterion Blu-ray, 2k transfer
Director: Bruno Dumont
Best English-Friendly, Video & Audio:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Director: George Stevens
Best English-Friendly:
Criterion Blu-ray
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Best Video:
Criterion Blu-ray, 2K restoration
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