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EnglishWhat Is The Criterion Collection?
Updated
The Criterion Collection is a curated catalog of important classic and contemporary films from around the world, published as Blu-ray and DVD editions with supplemental features. If you want to own carefully produced physical editions of significant films—or understand how the brand relates to the Criterion Channel streaming service—this covers what the site offers and how to use it.
What the Collection Actually Is
Criterion.com is the home of a continuing series of home-video editions. The core proposition is curation: rather than stocking everything, the collection selects films it treats as important, spanning classics and contemporary work from many countries. Each edition is built around the film itself plus award-winning supplemental features.
That means the site is primarily a catalog and shop, not a general video library. You browse editions, read about films, and buy physical copies.
What you get with an edition
- The film on Blu-ray or DVD
- Supplemental features (the site describes these as award-winning)
- A curated presentation that treats the release as an edition, not just a disc
Physical Editions vs. Streaming
The site links to the Criterion Channel, a separate streaming service. These are two different products, and it helps to keep them straight:
| Criterion.com shop | Criterion Channel | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Physical Blu-ray/DVD editions | Streaming subscription |
| What you get | Ownership of a disc edition plus supplements | Streaming access via a subscription |
| How you engage | Browse and check out | Sign up through the Channel site |
If your goal is to own specific films with supplements, the shop is the relevant destination. If your goal is ongoing streaming access, the Channel is. The site connects the two through navigation links, but they are distinct offerings.
How to Use the Site
- Browse the catalog to find films and editions that interest you.
- Review the edition details to confirm the format (Blu-ray or DVD) and the supplemental features included.
- Add to your order and check out through the shop's checkout page.
The expected result is a purchased physical edition shipped to you. The main sticking point to watch for is format: confirm whether a given title is Blu-ray or DVD before ordering, since the collection publishes both.
Who It's For
- Collectors who want curated physical editions with supplements rather than bare discs.
- Viewers exploring world cinema who want a guided selection of classic and contemporary films.
- Anyone deciding between ownership and streaming—use the table above to pick the right product before signing up or checking out.
If you only want to watch films without owning them, start with the Criterion Channel rather than the shop. If you want the edition itself, go straight to the catalog.