The Criterion Collection is a curated series of films released on Blu-ray and DVD (formerly on LaserDisc). You can think of it as a list of movies you’d probably watch in film school. 

Criterion says, “All we ask is that each film in the collection be an exemplary film of its kind.” Serious film lovers appreciate that Criterion movie releases are lovingly restored and have extra features, but what if you just want to stream the films, restored or not? 

We’ve compiled a list of sixty of the best films from the Criterion Collection available on streaming services other than the Criterion Channel, the online subscription service Criterion launched in 2019. Because who needs yet another streaming service! You can find many Criterion films on services you might already subscribe to or can get for free.

Action/Adventure

Comedy

Crime, Mystery & Thrillers

Documentary

  • For All Mankind, (Al Reinert, 1989). Made from original footage of NASA moon missions with the soundtrack from Brian Eno. HBO Max Gimme Shelter, (Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin, 1970). Famous disaster at a Rolling Stones concert. HBO MaxBuena Vista Social Club (Wim Wenders, 1999). Cuban music. HBO MaxHoop Dreams (Steve James, 1994). High school basketball players in Chicago. HBO Max, Showtime, Showtime AnytimeHarlan County, USA (Barbara Kopple, 1976). Coal miners vs. the power company. HBO MaxNanook of the North    (Robert Flaherty, 1922). How to make an igloo. HBO MaxMinding the Gap (Bing Liu, 2018). Skateboarders in Rockford, Illinois. Hulu

Drama

Fantasy

Horror

  • Diabolique (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1955). Strange things happen after the murder. HBO MaxCarnival of Souls (Herk Harvey, 1962). Roger Ebert said this film is like a “lost episode of The Twilight Zone.” HBO Max, Tubi, Pluto TV, VuduFunny Games (Michael Haneke, 1997). It’s an idyllic lakeside vacation home. What could go wrong? HBO Max

Samurai

  • Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954). Samurai vs. bandits. Kurosawa’s finest film. HBO MaxYojimbo (Akria Kursawa, 1961). Crime lords try to recruit the ronin. HBO MaxSamurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (Hiroshi Inagaki, 1954). Fugitive and his friend. HBO MaxKill! (Kihachi Okamoto, 1968). Former samurai turned yakuza gang member. HBO Max

Science Fiction

Thrillers