FAQs

What is the relationship between the Criterion Collection and Janus Films?

The companies share similar missions but focus on different markets. Criterion publishes DVDs and spends most of its energy on the home video market. Janus handles theatrical and nontheatrical showings, as well as television and cable licenses.

To learn more about Janus Films, please visit: www.janusfilms.com.

How does Criterion decide which films receive the “Criterion Treatment”?

We aim to reflect the breadth of filmed expression. We try not to be restrictive or snobby about what kinds of films are appropriate. An auteur classic, a Hollywood blockbuster, and an independent B horror film each has to be taken on its own terms. All we ask is that each film in the collection be an exemplary film of its kind. Of course we can’t just pick movies and put them out. The process of getting the rights to release a film can take years. Even if we want a film, we can’t work on it unless the film’s owners grant us the rights. Why so few films from South Asia or China?”—and we’re continually working to fill those gaps.

How does Criterion decide which special features to include, and who contributes to them?

Each film release has a producer who oversees the entire process, from restoration to supplemental features to packaging. The producer researches available materials, conceives of original supplements, and decides which features truly add value to the appreciation of the film. We are fortunate to work with many great film directors, cinematographers, actors, scholars, and critics. We do not let market factors or an arbitrary quantity of supplements determine our decision for inclusion; rather it is on a case-by-case basis, serving the purpose of enhancing the viewer’s experience of that particular film.

Does Criterion sell its DVDs outside of the United States, and what regions do the DVDs play in?

We only publish DVDs for the North American market and our DVDs are encoded region 1.

Will Criterion rerelease its laser disc collection on DVD, or any older titles that have gone out of print?

We would love to be able to rerelease all our laser disc titles on DVD, however it isn’t always possible due to rights issues. We are continuously working on acquiring rights to films we want to include in the collection, including renewing rights for films we previously released on laser disc, or for DVD titles that have gone out of print. However, whether or not we can acquire those rights again depends a lot on the rights holder, and each film is a different case.

Who do I contact if I have a problem with my packaging or a technical issue with my DVD?

Please send an e-mail to Jon Mulvaney at mulvaney@criterion.com. We are happy to replace any defective DVDs you have. And we appreciate hearing about any technical issues with our DVDs, as we care a lot about the quality of our products.

Are all Criterion DVDs presented in their original theatrical aspect ratio? Why does Criterion windowbox?

Every Criterion DVD features an About the Transfer section in the DVD insert. Here you will find the aspect ratio of the film listed, along with information about the picture and sound elements from which it was transferred. We endeavor to present every film in its original aspect ratio (i.e., the ratio of height to width of the image), unless the filmmaker expressly requests a slightly different framing. What that means is that the Criterion brand is your guarantee that you’re getting the complete picture as the filmmaker intended.

We present films that were shot in 4 x 3 Academy ratio windowboxed because almost all television sets scan the image, and a portion of the image is cut from the area that is visible on the screen. So that no portion of the picture is missing when the DVD is played, we provide black around the picture in the hope that only the black is scanned.

Do all Criterion DVDs have English language subtitles? Does Criterion subtitle in other languages?

All our DVDs have English subtitles. We do not subtitle in other languages, because in almost all cases we only have the rights to publish our DVDs in the original language and/or an English version.

Why do Criterion DVDs often cost more than other DVDs?

Our prices reflect all the resources we put into making each DVD a special release. Each DVD has a producer who finds the best supplemental features that will help further the appreciation of the film, often producing original content. The technical staff ensures that we are working with the best original source materials and digital masters by performing rigorous visual and audio restoration processes.

How can I tell if a Criterion DVD is a bootleg copy?

For the reasons stated above, it costs a lot of money for us to make a good DVD, and we know Criterion discs are not inexpensive, but we feel they are a good value. If you can buy a Criterion disc at a price you think is absurdly low, it’s probably not a legitimate disc. Also, a good thing to do is to make sure that the DVD’s ISBN number, UPC code, and catalog number match those that appear on our website. In addition, look for our copyright and confirm that the audio, video, and features specs match up. Although this cannot definitively determine a disc’s authenticity, you can feel safer if this information is consistent.

What are the upcoming titles? And how can I make a title suggestion?

We announce all our upcoming titles on our website as soon as we can make them public. Also, we announce upcoming titles in our newsletter, which we encourage you to sign up for to get special offers and contest giveaways. Click here to visit our sign-up page for more information.

If you would like to suggest a title, please write to suggestions@criterion.com. Though you will get an automatic reply, our acquisitions staff reads all the suggestions and appreciates hearing from you.

Do you have a loyalty program for people who buy directly from your website?

We appreciate the loyalty of our customers, and we do offer a gift certificate in the amount of $50 for every $500 spent at our store. Here’s how it works: every dollar you spend at the Criterion store (our website only) gets credited towards your total purchases. When you get to $500, we will send you a gift certificate with a coupon code worth $50. Don’t worry, we’ll keep track for you, but at the moment the running total of your purchases is not available online.

Can I get a discount or credit for a previously purchased title that you have rereleased?

In general, we’ll only rerelease a movie when we’ve obtained access to new materials that can make a significantly better release. These could be new film elements or a new restoration, or some supplements that were unavailable when we first released the movie. We tried to offer a rebate program for second releases of DVDs, but it wasn’t successful. The participation was very low, and we couldn’t price it at a level that made economic sense without unfairly competing with our resellers.

Who do I contact if I want to sell Criterion DVDs in my store, or license films for television, nontheatrical screenings, or clips usage?

Please send all sales inquiries to Jon Mulvaney at mulvaney@criterion.com. For other contact questions, please see our Contact Us page.

Do you offer wholesale pricing?

For information on wholesale discounts, please contact Jon Mulvaney at mulvaney@criterion.com. Wholesale sales are final and nonreturnable.