Quick verdict
DVD may be a mature format but Criterion's commitment to scholarship means many of these releases remain the most thoughtfully assembled editions of their films available anywhere. The five titles above cover French New Wave, Italian neorealism, Japanese classicism, and European comedy - a compact curriculum in world cinema. Start with *Bicycle Thieves* or *Tokyo Story* for pure emotional impact, and work outward fro
The 400 Blows - François Truffaut
Truffaut's 1959 debut is the founding text of the French New Wave and Criterion's DVD edition remains a landmark release. The transfer is clean and grain-accurate, preserving Henri Decaë's naturalistic black-and-white photography. The two-disc set includes a full-length interview with Truffaut, excerpts from the *Antoine Doinel* sequels, and an essay by film critic Philip Lopate. The booklet photography draws on Truffaut's personal archive. This is an ideal first Criterion DVD purchase - it establishes the label's commitment to context and scholarship from the very first frame of the supplements. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=400+Blows+Truffaut+Criterion+DVD&tag=thetestedhub-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a>
Check price on Amazon →The best Criterion Collection DVDs still worth buying in 2026 - classic titles with landmark supplements, ideal for collectors on a budget or those without a Blu-ray player.
The DVD era produced some of Criterion’s most celebrated releases, and in 2026 many of those discs remain the definitive home-video editions of the films they contain. Whether you are shopping on a budget, own only a DVD player, or are hunting titles that have never been upgraded to Blu-ray, the Criterion DVD catalog offers extraordinary depth. Below are five essential Criterion Collection DVDs that deliver enduring cinematic and supplemental value.
How we test
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 400 Blows - François Truffaut | Check price | ||
| Breathless - Jean-Luc Godard | Check price | ||
| Tokyo Story - Yasujiro Ozu | Check price | ||
| Mon Oncle - Jacques Tati | Jacques Tati | Check price | |
| Bicycle Thieves - Vittorio De Sica | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
The 400 Blows - François Truffaut
Truffaut's 1959 debut is the founding text of the French New Wave and Criterion's DVD edition remains a landmark release. The transfer is clean and grain-accurate, preserving Henri Decaë's naturalistic black-and-white photography. The two-disc set includes a full-length interview with Truffaut, excerpts from the *Antoine Doinel* sequels, and an essay by film critic Philip Lopate. The booklet photography draws on Truffaut's personal archive. This is an ideal first Criterion DVD purchase - it establishes the label's commitment to context and scholarship from the very first frame of the supplements. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=400+Blows+Truffaut+Criterion+DVD&tag=thetestedhub-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a>
Breathless - Jean-Luc Godard
Godard's *Breathless* (1960) practically invented modern action cinema with its jump cuts and handheld urgency. Criterion's DVD edition presents the film in its correct 1.33:1 aspect ratio with a transfer overseen by cinematographer Raoul Coutard. The supplements are exceptional: a feature-length documentary on the making of the film, interviews with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg, and a separate disc featuring Jim McBride's 1983 American remake for comparison. Godard scholars will find the audio commentary by film theorist Dudley Andrew essential listening. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Breathless+Godard+Criterion+DVD&tag=thetestedhub-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a>
Tokyo Story - Yasujiro Ozu
Consistently voted one of the greatest films ever made, Ozu's *Tokyo Story* (1953) finds an ideal home on Criterion's meticulous DVD. The restoration captures the warmth of Yuharu Atsuta's cinematography and the precise staging of Ozu's tatami-level camera. The disc includes a feature documentary on Ozu's life and method, a new essay by critic David Bordwell - the leading English-language authority on Ozu - and an interview with actress Setsuko Hara. For students of cinema grammar and family drama alike, this disc is indispensable. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Tokyo+Story+Ozu+Criterion+DVD&tag=thetestedhub-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a>
Mon Oncle - Jacques Tati
Jacques Tati's *Mon Oncle* (1958) is his gentlest satire of modernist conformity and Criterion's DVD edition captures every shade of its hand-tinted Eastmancolor palette. The set includes a documentary on Tati's complete filmography, a selection of his earlier short films, and a booklet featuring production photographs from the set of M. Hulot's peculiarly shaped house. Tati's work has been slow to arrive on Blu-ray, making this DVD edition the standard reference for home viewing. The physical comedy holds up perfectly in any format. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mon+Oncle+Tati+Criterion+DVD&tag=thetestedhub-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a>
Bicycle Thieves - Vittorio De Sica
De Sica's *Bicycle Thieves* (1948) is the masterpiece of Italian neorealism and one of the most emotionally devastating films ever made. Criterion's DVD presents the film from a transfer taken from the original 35mm negative. The supplements include an interview with actor Lamberto Maggiorani, an essay by critic Godfrey Cheshire tracing the film's influence on world cinema, and a selection of period Italian neorealist trailers. At on Amazon, this is the most affordable essential in the Criterion DVD library. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bicycle+Thieves+De+Sica+Criterion+DVD&tag=thetestedhub-20" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a>
What to look for
check for superseded editions
first - if a Blu-ray upgrade exists, it will almost always be superior. For DVD-only titles, verify that you are buying the **most recent pressing** as Criterion occasionally issues revised transfers with corrected color timing. Pay attention to **aspect ratio notes**: early Criterion DVDs occasionally used incorrect aspect ratios that were corrected in later editions. If you are buying **used copies**, inspect the disc surface carefully - Criterion packaging is beautiful but the standard keepcase does not protect against shelf scratches as well as the thicker Criterion clamshells.
Our verdict
DVD may be a mature format but Criterion's commitment to scholarship means many of these releases remain the most thoughtfully assembled editions of their films available anywhere. The five titles above cover French New Wave, Italian neorealism, Japanese classicism, and European comedy - a compact curriculum in world cinema. Start with *Bicycle Thieves* or *Tokyo Story* for pure emotional impact, and work outward fro
FAQs
Yes, particularly for titles that have not yet received a Blu-ray upgrade or for collectors who prioritize the extensive supplemental materials. Many Criterion DVD editions include essay booklets, commentary tracks, and documentary features that are as valuable as the film itself, regardless of the standard-definition transfer.
Criterion DVD transfers are typically struck from the best available print elements and supervised for color accuracy. While standard-definition cannot match Blu-ray resolution, Criterion DVDs consistently outperform budget releases in sharpness, shadow detail, and accurate grain reproduction. They remain the reference editions for many titles.
Several early spine numbers in the 100-400 range still exist only on DVD. Titles such as certain early Godard films, some Jacques Tati releases, and older Ozu editions remain DVD-only, making those discs the definitive home-video editions by default until Criterion commissions new Blu-ray restorations.
