The Criterion Collection

In 1984, a small New York company released two laserdiscs: Citizen Kane and King Kong. Those discs included something no home video had ever offered: an audio commentary track, with film historian Ronald Haver discussing the making of Citizen Kane. That innovation launched The Criterion Collection, a label that would redefine how audiences experience film at home.

Criterion tracks down the best surviving film elements anywhere in the world. Their restoration team works with original directors or cinematographers when possible, using state-of-the-art telecine equipment and select colorists to create transfers that match the filmmakers' intentions. Each release is presented uncut and in its original theatrical aspect ratio, with a technical section detailing the source materials, aspect ratio, and sound specifications.

Beyond the film itself, every Criterion edition is a curated archive. Supplements can include audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, deleted scenes, and scholarly essays. Packaging is distinctive: each title gets a unique cover, often commissioned from contemporary artists, and a spine number that collectors track. As of 2026, the company has produced more than 1,500 special editions across LaserDisc, VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray.

Criterion also operates The Criterion Channel, a streaming service launched in 2019 that offers a rotating selection of films from the library along with curated series, director retrospectives, and supplemental features. The channel costs $10.99 per month or $99.99 per year and is available on major streaming devices. [edit]