The First King

Jun 17, 2019 — Renowned for his adaptations of Shakespeare and great operas, the director was also a controversial Italian senator and stood accused of sexual misconduct.

Dec 17, 2018 — Also, directors discuss their craft, and critics carry on listing the best films of 2018.

Oct 15, 2018 — Film historian Ronald Haver breaks down one of classic Hollywood’s most iconic action sequences in this clip from our laserdisc release of King Kong.

Jul 17, 2026 — Channel Calendars This month on the Criterion Channel, crank up the volume on our playlist of (actually good) rock biopics that go beyond cliché to explore the elusive place where inspiration sparks and musical legends are born. Our Southern Gothic...

Mar 19, 2026 — To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the invention of VHS, the director and the editor of Videoheaven discuss how this game-changing format shaped their lives and imaginations and left a seismic impact on the film industry.

Jan 20, 2026 — The constant negotiation of routine pleasure and profound sorrow—the experience of being human—is at the heart of John Huston’s final film, an exquisite adaptation of James Joyce’s classic short story.

Dec 11, 2025 — Charli XCX stars in three of them, and another highlight is a restored documentary by the late William Greaves.

Aug 7, 2025 — A highlight among the many goings on in New York over the next several weeks is a tribute to Luc Moullet.

Sep 23, 2024 — Anniversary screenings of The Babadook, Ed Wood, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre are among this year’s highlights.

Aug 1, 2024 — Philadelphia’s showcase of work by Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists opens today and runs through the weekend.