What Criterion Channel is and who runs it

Criterion Channel is a streaming service owned and operated by The Criterion Collection, a company that licenses, restores, and distributes films. Criterion has been curating movies since 1984, and their streaming platform launched in 2019. The service streams films from Criterion's catalog — mostly classic, independent, international, and art house movies — along with documentaries about filmmaking and supplemental material like director interviews and essays.

Criterion Channel is separate from other streaming platforms. You cannot watch it through Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or other major services. You subscribe directly to Criterion Channel's website or through the Apple TV Channels add-on (which bundles it with your Apple TV+ subscription if you have one).

Key Takeaways

  • Criterion Channel costs $10.99 per month or $99.99 per year when you subscribe directly, with no free trial period.
  • The catalog contains roughly 700 to 900 films depending on licensing agreements, with new titles added monthly.
  • You can stream on up to four devices at once, but only one stream can play simultaneously per account.
  • Criterion Channel offers no read feature, so you must have an internet connection to watch.
  • The service is available in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with different film availability in each region.

Monthly and annual pricing

Criterion Channel charges $10.99 per month if you pay month-to-month, or $99.99 per year if you commit to an annual subscription. The annual plan works out to roughly $8.33 per month. Both plans renew automatically unless you cancel before the renewal date.

There is no free trial period. You pay for your first month or year when ready when you sign up. If you subscribe through Apple TV Channels instead of directly through Criterion's website, the price is the same ($10.99 per month), but the payment goes through your Apple account and appears on your Apple bill.

What films and content are included

Criterion Channel's catalog includes approximately 700 to 900 films at any given time. The exact number changes because Criterion licenses films from studios and distributors, and licensing agreements expire or renew on different schedules. The collection spans decades and countries: silent films, Japanese cinema, French New Wave, contemporary independent films, documentaries, and experimental work.

Every month, Criterion adds new titles and sometimes removes others when licenses end. The service also includes supplemental material: director commentary tracks, interviews, essays, and short documentaries about filmmaking. These extras are bundled with the films themselves — you do not pay separately for them.

The specific films available depend on your region. Criterion Channel operates in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and licensing restrictions mean the catalog differs slightly in each country. You can see the full current catalog by visiting Criterion Channel's website without logging in.

Streaming limits and device access

One Criterion Channel account allows you to stream on up to four different devices, but only one stream can play at a time. This means you and another household member cannot watch different films simultaneously on separate devices — only one person can watch at any moment. If a second person tries to start a stream while one is already playing, the first stream stops.

You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV. Criterion Channel does not offer a read feature, so you must have an active internet connection to watch any film. There is no offline viewing option.

How to sign up and cancel

To subscribe directly through Criterion Channel, you visit their website, create an account with an email address and password, and enter a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). Your subscription begins when ready and renews on the same date each month or year.

To cancel, you log into your Criterion Channel account, go to your account settings, and select the option to cancel your subscription. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you keep access until that date, then your account closes. If you subscribed through Apple TV Channels, you cancel through your Apple account settings instead, not through Criterion's website.

Comparison to other film-focused streaming services

Criterion Channel is one of several streaming services focused on curated or classic films rather than new releases. MUBI is another subscription service that streams art house and independent films, with a rotating catalog that changes daily. MUBI costs $10.99 per month or $95.99 per year. The Criterion Collection also sells physical Blu-ray and DVD editions of films, which you can purchase individually — these are separate from the streaming service.

Larger platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video include some classic and independent films in their broader catalogs, but they do not focus on curation the way Criterion does. If you want access to Criterion's specific collection and supplemental materials, you need the Criterion Channel subscription — you cannot get the same content through other services.

What you need to know about your account

Criterion Channel requires an active email address to create an account. You can change your password, email address, and payment method anytime through your account settings. If you forget your password, Criterion sends a reset link to your email.

Your subscription is personal to you. Sharing your login credentials with people outside your household violates Criterion Channel's terms of service, though the service does not actively monitor for this. If Criterion detects unusual activity on your account (such as simultaneous streams from different countries), they may suspend or cancel your subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Criterion Channel on my smart TV?

Yes. Criterion Channel has apps for most major smart TV platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TV. You can also cast or mirror from a phone or computer to a smart TV if the app is not available on your TV model. Check Criterion Channel's website for the complete list of supported devices.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Your account closes at the end of your current billing period. You keep full access to stream until that date. After your subscription ends, you cannot watch any films. If you resubscribe later, you start a new account — your watch history and preferences do not carry over.

Does Criterion Channel have new movies or only old ones?

Criterion Channel focuses on classic, independent, and art house films rather than new theatrical releases. However, "new" is relative — the catalog includes films from recent years alongside decades-old classics. New titles are added to the service monthly, but these are usually films that are new to Criterion's catalog, not films that just left theaters.

Can I use Criterion Channel in other countries?

Criterion Channel is available in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom only. If you travel outside these regions, you may not be able to access your account due to licensing restrictions. The service does not work in other countries.

Is there a student discount or family plan?

Criterion Channel does not offer student discounts or family plans. One subscription covers one account with one simultaneous stream. If multiple people want to watch, each person needs their own subscription.