The Criterion Channel

Quick Look: The Criterion Channel is a subscription-based channel offering a variety of Hollywood, international, art-house, and independent movies, as well as a library of more than 1,000 important classic and contemporary films. You can preview the entire library of titles without a subscription, and clicking on any title brings up a brief synopsis of the film or series.

According to a recent announcement from Criterion, "the new service will host the Criterion Collection and Janus Films’ ever-growing library of more than 1,000 feature films, 350 shorts, and 3,500 supplementary features, including trailers, introductions, behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, video essays, commentary tracks, and rare archival footage. It will also feature a constantly refreshed selection of films from a wide array of studio and independent licensors including Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), Lionsgate, IFC Films, Kino Lorber, Cohen Media, Milestone Film and Video, Oscilloscope, Cinema Guild, Strand Releasing, Shout Factory, Film Movement, and Grasshopper Films. Additional licensors will be added in the coming months."

The videos currently available on Roku include a mix of feature films, independent productions, series, shorts, interviews, and trailers. Video categories include:

  • Recent Collections
  • Criterion Editions
  • Newly Added
  • 10 Minutes or Less
  • Women Filmmakers
  • Martin Scorsese's World Cinema project
  • Essential Art House
  • Adventures in Moviegoing
  • Short+ Feature
  • Observations on Film Art
  • Split Screen
  • Double Features
  • Directed by Agnes Varda
  • Columbia Noir
  • Bill Harder's Adventures
  • Screenwriter: Suso Cecchi d'Amico
  • Coming Attractions

You browse the video library without a subscription, but all content is "locked" until you subscribe. The channel offers a free 14-day trial for you to check out the content, which can be viewed on desktop and mobile web browsers or through apps for Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, iOS, and Android devices.

-- Information is current as of April 10, 2019

Roku Channel Store Description: A movie lover's dream, the Criterion Channel offers classics and discoveries from around the world, thematically programmed with special features, on a streaming service brought to you by the Criterion Collection.

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CHANNEL STORE CATEGORY: Movies & TV

DEVELOPER: The Criterion Collection

FEES: $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 14-day free trial