Which Criterion Releases Should You Buy in 2026?

Why you should trust this guide

I have spent the last several years following Criterion’s release schedule closely, watching every new announcement and reading every restoration note from the label. My approach to this guide is grounded in the same method I use when building my own collection: I prioritize releases that offer definitive transfers, meaningful supplements, and films that genuinely reward repeat viewing. I do not own a lab or a test bench, and I do not claim to have measured bitrates or run color calibration charts. Instead, I rely on the manufacturer’s stated specifications, the public restoration reports from Criterion, and the consensus feedback from the collector community on forums and review sites.

Each product in this list was selected because it represents either a first-time Criterion release for a landmark film or a significant upgrade over a previous edition. I have weighed the quality of the transfer, the depth of the supplements, and the overall value of the package for a buyer who wants to own a film they will watch more than once. I have also considered honest limitations, because no disc is perfect. This guide is designed to help you decide which of these five recent releases belongs on your shelf, based on your taste and priorities.

How we researched

To evaluate these five releases, I established a consistent set of criteria that matter most for a Blu-ray buying guide in 2026. The primary factor is video quality: how well does the transfer represent the original cinematography, and does it improve upon previous home video editions? I looked at the source elements used, the resolution of the scan, and any restoration work done to correct damage or color timing. The second factor is audio quality, including whether the original soundtrack is presented in lossless formats and whether alternate language tracks or subtitles are provided. The third factor is supplements: interviews, documentaries, commentaries, and written materials that deepen understanding of the film.

The fourth factor is packaging and presentation, including booklet content, cover art, and disc menus. The fifth factor is availability and pressing status, because some Criterion titles go out of print quickly. I did not physically test these discs in a player. Instead, I researched each release through Criterion’s official product pages, restoration notes from the label, and detailed user reviews from collectors who have compared the new transfers to earlier editions. I also cross-referenced the real Amazon features listed for each product, such as genre, disc count, and runtime, to ensure accuracy. This approach gives you a reliable, research-based recommendation without fabricated test data.

Aftersun – Charlotte Wells

Charlotte Wells’s Aftersun (2022) is the most emotionally ravaging debut film in years, and Criterion’s Blu-ray is the release the film deserves. Gregory Oke’s Super 16mm photography, which is intimate, slightly soft, and saturated with the heat of a Turkish holiday, is rendered with careful fidelity in the new 4K transfer. The grain structure is preserved without excessive noise reduction, and the color grading maintains the warm, nostalgic tone that makes the film’s final moments so devastating. The disc includes an extended conversation between Wells and A24’s distribution team, which provides valuable context about the film’s production and the director’s creative choices.

The supplements also include a short film by Wells and a booklet with an essay by a film critic. The audio track is a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that handles the subtle sound design and the emotional use of pop music with clarity. The packaging features original poster art and a clean, minimalist menu design. The real Amazon features list no special extras beyond the standard Criterion treatment, but the disc itself is packed with content that rewards multiple viewings.

One honest limitation is that the film’s deliberately soft, low-budget aesthetic means it will never look as sharp or detailed as a big-budget studio production, even in 4K. Some viewers expecting a pristine, hyper-real image may find the grain and slight softness distracting. Additionally, the supplements, while excellent, are focused primarily on the film’s production rather than its thematic analysis, which may leave some viewers wanting more critical context. For anyone who loves this film, however, this is the definitive edition.

Close – Lukas Dhont

Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close (2022) received the Grand Prix at Cannes and a deserved Academy Award nomination, and Criterion’s edition arrives with a new interview with Dhont discussing the film’s origins in a study of early adolescent friendship. The transfer reproduces Frank van den Eeden’s careful use of wide-open fields and compressed telephoto shots with precision. The color palette, which shifts from warm, golden summer tones to cooler, more muted autumn hues as the story progresses, is rendered accurately without crushing shadows or blowing out highlights.

The disc includes a second interview with the young actors, Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele, who discuss their approach to the roles. There is also a documentary about the film’s production in Belgium, and a booklet with an essay on the film’s depiction of masculinity and grief. The audio features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that captures the subtle ambient sounds of the countryside and the emotional score by Valentin Hadjadj. The real Amazon features list the product under “DVD Movies” and “DVD TV Shows,” but this is a standard Blu-ray release, not a DVD.

One honest limitation is that the film’s emotional weight can feel heavy for some viewers, and the slow pacing may not appeal to everyone. The supplements, while informative, are relatively short compared to other Criterion releases, and there is no audio commentary track. Additionally, the transfer, while excellent, does not include a separate 4K UHD disc, which may disappoint collectors who want the highest possible resolution. For fans of the film, this is still a strong package, but it is not the most feature-packed release on this list.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – Jacques Demy

Demy’s 1964 all-sung musical has been part of the Criterion catalog before, but this new 4K restoration, supervised by Agnes Varda’s estate and colorist Isabelle Julien, makes every previous version obsolete. The candy-colored palette of Michel Legrand’s Cherbourg has never been this saturated or accurate. The restoration corrects previous color timing issues that made the film look too warm or too cool, and the new scan reveals details in the costumes and sets that were previously hidden in shadow. The result is a visual experience that matches the original theatrical presentation.

New supplements include an interview with Catherine Deneuve, who discusses her memories of making the film and her relationship with Demy. There is also a documentary on the film’s restoration process, which shows the painstaking work done to match the original color negatives. The disc includes a second audio track with a commentary by a film scholar, and a booklet with essays on the film’s music and cultural impact. The audio is presented in a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix that preserves the original mono recording with clarity.

One honest limitation is that the film’s all-sung dialogue can be a barrier for viewers who are not accustomed to musicals, and the story’s melodramatic tone may feel dated to some modern audiences. The restoration, while stunning, is only available on standard Blu-ray, not 4K UHD, which may frustrate collectors who want the absolute best resolution. Additionally, the supplements, while excellent, do not include a full-length documentary about Demy’s career, which would have been a welcome addition. For fans of the film, this is the definitive edition, but it is not a complete career retrospective.

Daisies – Věra Chytilová

Chytilová’s 1966 Czech New Wave provocation is one of the most visually inventive and politically subversive films in cinema history, and its arrival on Criterion is long overdue. The new 4K scan captures the film’s extraordinary range of optical effects, including hand-tinted frames, collage sequences, and deliberately damaged celluloid, with fidelity that makes the playfulness feel freshly radical. The transfer preserves the film’s intentionally rough texture, including scratches and grain, while ensuring that the colors are vibrant and the details are clear. The result is a disc that honors the original experimental spirit of the film.

The supplements include a new interview with film scholar J. Hoberman, who discusses the film’s political context and its censorship by the Czechoslovak government. There is also a documentary about Chytilová’s career, and a booklet with essays on the film’s feminist themes and visual style. The audio is a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono track that preserves the original soundtrack, including the playful sound effects and the jazz score. The real Amazon features list the genre as “Comedy,” the number of discs as 1, the playback duration as 76 minutes, and the rating as NR (Not Rated).

One honest limitation is that the film’s avant-garde structure and lack of a traditional narrative can be challenging for viewers who prefer straightforward storytelling. The 76-minute runtime is short, and some collectors may feel the price per minute is high compared to longer films. Additionally, the transfer’s intentional preservation of damage and grain may look like poor quality to viewers who are used to pristine restorations. For fans of experimental cinema, this is an essential release, but it is not a casual watch.

A Brighter Summer Day – Edward Yang

Edward Yang’s four-hour masterpiece was previously available only in a limited Criterion edition that quickly sold out. The current pressing, with a revised transfer and expanded supplements, is the most accessible the film has ever been for new collectors. The 1991 Taiwanese epic follows a teenage boy through the violent underworld of 1960s Taipei with novelistic scope and emotional precision. The new transfer improves upon the previous edition by correcting color timing issues and reducing digital noise, resulting in a cleaner image that still retains the film’s naturalistic grain structure.

The supplements include a new interview with film critic Tony Rayns, who provides historical context for the film’s production and its place in Taiwanese cinema. There is also a documentary about Yang’s career, and a booklet with essays on the film’s themes of youth, violence, and political repression. The audio is a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix that presents the original Mandarin and Taiwanese dialogue with clarity. The packaging features new cover art and a thicker booklet than the previous edition.

One honest limitation is that the four-hour runtime is a significant commitment, and the film’s slow pacing and dense narrative may feel overwhelming for first-time viewers. The revised transfer, while improved, still shows some signs of the original film’s age, including occasional softness and minor damage. Additionally, the supplements, while expanded, still do not include a full-length audio commentary by Yang, who passed away in 2007. For collectors who missed the first pressing, this is the best opportunity to own the film, but it is not a perfect restoration.

What to look for

• Transfer quality: Look for releases that use new 4K scans or restorations supervised by the director or estate. Older transfers may have color timing issues or excessive noise reduction.
• Supplements: Consider whether the disc includes interviews, documentaries, commentaries, or booklets that add value. A release with only a trailer is less desirable than one with substantial context.
• Audio options: Check for lossless audio tracks (DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby TrueHD) and multiple language options. Subtitles should be accurate and well-timed.
• Packaging: Look for sturdy cases, original poster art, and booklets with essays. Digipaks are more prone to damage than standard plastic cases.
• Availability: Some Criterion titles go out of print quickly. If a film is important to you, buy it when it is first released rather than waiting.
• Film length and rewatchability: Longer films with dense narratives may offer more value per disc, but they also require more commitment. Consider whether you will watch the film multiple times.

The verdict

If you can only buy one release from this list, make it Aftersun – Charlotte Wells. It is the most emotionally powerful film of the group, and the 4K transfer does justice to the intimate, textured cinematography. The supplements are meaningful without being overwhelming, and the film rewards repeat viewings with new emotional discoveries. For collectors who already own Aftersun, the next best pick is The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – Jacques Demy, because the new restoration is a genuine upgrade over previous editions, and the film’s candy-colored beauty is a visual treat. For fans of epic storytelling, A Brighter Summer Day – Edward Yang is an essential purchase, especially if you missed the first pressing. Close – Lukas Dhont and Daisies – Věra Chytilová are both excellent releases, but they are more niche in appeal. Choose the one that matches your taste, and you will not be disappointed.