The Criterion Channel

The Criterion Channel

Watch classic movies and more

14K ratings
1321 reviews
#73 in top-grossing Entertainment
🎬 Entertainment
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • April 8, 2019
  • October 8, 2026

Features

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The Criterion Channel screenshot #7 for iPhone
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About

Stream a curated collection of classic and contemporary films from around the world. Discover Hollywood, international, art-house, and independent movies with special features and exclusive series. Enjoy daily refreshed selections and in-depth film analysis.

✓Criterion Collection streaming library
✓Thematic film programming
✓Director and star retrospectives
✓Guest-curated film series
✓Supplemental film features
✓Original Criterion Channel series
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What users say about The Criterion Channel

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What's New in The Criterion Channel

11.0.3

October 8, 2026

* Bug fixes * Performance improvements

2

Subscriptions & In-App Purchases

Criterion Channel Subscription

Subscribe for full access to our library

$10.991 Month
7 Days trial
How to cancel The Criterion Channel subscription ⁉️

Charts

Top Grossing

📈 73+3

Entertainment

This app rose +3 positions in Entertainment chart.

Last updated on October 15, 2026.

User reviews

Scammers

Impossible to cancel subscription

Geoblocked after signing up for annual plan

Send me constant emails to sign up, finally do and now find I'm geoblocked?

love the content; app performance is weak

i download movies for flights internationally.... this app is extremely frustrating managing downloading; it fails 90% of each attempt and really does not indicate status properly. it is like downloading files in 1999.

anyhow, been collecting criterion assets for decades... laser discs, dvds, itunes and now apple tv; love the material, quality, creative accumen. this app after a decade, remains excellent on presentation, but so weak on the performance! downloading is like stalls, crashes, cache stalls... it stinks.

i'll delete this app and try again next year.

trully heart breaking, as criterion has best content
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Subscription Problems

Good content and value. Unfortunately they updated the app recently and logged out my account. I couldn’t remember my password and no amount of fiddling with their web site could convince them to send me a password reset. Seems like they have some bugs to work out. Ultimately I had to unsubscribe as there is no point paying for something you can’t use.
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This app doesn't work

Every month they make you sign in to the app. Fun. Typically I just hit "Restore Purchase" and that works. This month that doesn't work and I have no way of signing in because I was able to buy the app in the App Store without creating an account. So, I now have an annual subscription to great content I'm unable to watch. The Criterion Channel - All the great movies you can't watch
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User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

3 issues

Frequent playback interruptions and freezing

Bug

Unreliable offline viewing and download issues

Bug

Inconsistent app performance across devices

Bug
✨

Requested Features

5 requests

Ability to view full catalog of available titles

Feature

More advanced search and filtering tools

Feature

Improved playback stability and offline functionality

Feature

Personalized recommendations based on viewing history

Feature

Ratings and user reviews system

Feature

FAQ

What is the Criterion Channel?

The Criterion Channel is a streaming service offering a curated selection of classic and contemporary films from Hollywood, international, art-house, and independent cinema. It provides access to Criterion's extensive library of over 1,000 films, along with special features.

What kind of movies can I watch?

You can watch a wide range of movies including Hollywood classics, international films, art-house cinema, independent movies, documentaries, and short films. Selections are refreshed regularly and include thematic programming, director retrospectives, and guest-curated series.

How much does the Criterion Channel cost?

Access to all features and content requires a subscription to The Criterion Channel, available on a monthly or yearly basis. Pricing varies by region and is confirmed before purchase within the app. Subscriptions auto-renew unless deactivated at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current cycle.

What are the special features?

The app offers supplemental features to enhance your appreciation of film, such as audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage, scholarly analyses, introductions, interviews, and trailers. These provide context and deeper insights into the films.

Is the Criterion Channel available on all devices?

The description does not explicitly state compatibility with all devices. However, it mentions payments are managed through your iTunes Account, suggesting availability on Apple devices. Subscription payments are managed within the app, implying it's a mobile application.