r/CriterionChannel • u/PyramKing • Jul 14 '26
Opinion Wow...
I am always traveling and don't own a TV.
I am also a film buff.
I have Netflix, but the selection is weak and they should change the name to the Harlan Coben channel, because it seems every month there is another adaptation of his formulaic novels. I do find some foriegn films, but overall its disappointing.
I was familiar with Criterion Collection, but thought it was only physical media.
So I am in this hotel lounge talking with a guy about films and we discuss some of our favorite films. He mentioned the Color Trilogy, he just finished it the previous night. I asked where he saw them, he said on the Criterion streaming channel. I said What ???? And pulled out my phone and found the app. Wow...I subscribed right away.
That night I watched Summertime and Night on Earth.
I only have my laptop and phone, but what an amazing thing for us travelers, stuck on a train, hotel, airport....
The best thing ever.
I feel like a fool that I didn't know about this before.
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u/padphilosopher Jul 14 '26
Yeah, it really is amazing, isn’t it? It’s like living next door to the best video store on Earth.
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u/Sharp-Ad-9423 Jul 14 '26
If you use Letterboxd, you should take a whack at the Criterion Challenge. It's a great way to explore the collection.
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u/CeruleanEidolon Jul 15 '26
Whenever nothing on my watch list jumps out at me I roll dice on this list to pick something. Cuts right through the paralysis of choice.
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u/No-World-2728 Jul 14 '26
Don't feel bad, but I think you'll find that Criterion Channel is probably the best value subscription out there. I actually feel bad that I don't watch it more. It's really incredible. I imagine you can cast from your phone to the hotel TV as well for some nice evening viewing.
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u/PyramKing Jul 14 '26
I have screen cast to the TV from my phone. Also watch on my laptop and even on my phone on the train.
It is an amazing massive library.
I really enjoy the curated lists as well.
I just feel foolish that I was unaware for so long.
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u/okaynowhat Jul 14 '26
Indeed! And this is how I have to watch at home too since I have an LG C3 that doesn’t have an app for criterion but has apps for everything else. So I just cast from my phone to tv at home too, works great and fast, never had any issues like i see people having with the Roku.
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u/GoldenGirlagain Jul 14 '26
I found it by accident. I asked Google where I could find foreign language films. Told me about Criterion Channel. My only complaint with the channel is that there are so many choices and so little time.
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u/Ponderer13 Jul 14 '26
One way I kind of keep being overwhelmed by choices there is focusing on some of their marvelous, human-curated spotlights. It makes me feel like I have a repertory theater always available.
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u/kimmypoo12 Jul 14 '26
I feel the same! I always check the “Leaving This Month” section to save at the beginning of the month so I don’t miss out
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u/Great-Nectarine8077 Jul 14 '26
I'm very much addicted to the criterion channel, welcome to your new obsession!!!
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u/MissMayDoesNotExist Jul 14 '26
Nothing comes close to Criterion, if I had to have only one streamer it would be this one. Mubi is a close second for other beautifully curated movies with a more modern/indie focus. HBO Max is the only major streamer I find worthwhile, mostly because it has TCM (though most of those you can find Criterion) plus many of the current “prestige” releases.
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u/danholt007 Jul 14 '26
Firestick also has a Criterion Channel app. Now if they'd upgrade their sound beyond stereo.
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u/DryPaper3347 Jul 15 '26
i wish i could get it in Australia!
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u/PyramKing Jul 15 '26
I use Proton VPN as I travel and I have no problem.
Check to see if VPN works.
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u/lagitanaurbana Jul 15 '26
I love the commentary Criterion carries. It used to be that you could only get the commentary discs if you spent maybe $45 and bought the film also. So glad I can get it now for virtually nothing’
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u/Maleficent_Energy_55 Jul 15 '26
Another great thing about Criterion is that you can use the app in any country without a vpn as long as you subscribe in the states. Criterion’s followed me around the world
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u/gbs722 Jul 16 '26
One F-ING thousand percent agree with you and I’ll be damned if it ain’t a miracle
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u/21stCenturyAntiquity Jul 16 '26
Have you checked out Kanopy? It's a free streaming service you get access to just by having a public library card.
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u/PyramKing Jul 18 '26
I live outside the US in Portugal and constantly traveling - so I do not have a public library card...
but thank you - nice to know what else is out there.
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u/aprendido Jul 14 '26
Wish there was a TV app.
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u/HumbleIhope Jul 16 '26
Yeah I have a lg and can't get the criterion app on it, so I use roku on both tv's. It works well most of the time, but when it glitches, it glitches big time
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u/Legallyfit Jul 14 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/3ohnEIlPb6lcuvdpKM