• Criterion Channel’s January 2026 slate highlights ’90s films riffing on the ’70s, fresh-start dramas, and new premieres.
• Director spotlights include Noah Baumbach, Atom Egoyan, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Hlynur Pálmason.
• Actor and performance showcases feature Ben Whishaw and Terence Stamp; Paul Thomas Anderson titles appear in the lineup.
• New series premieres (Wong Kar Wai’s Blossoms Shanghai) and exclusive documentaries round out the month.
What’s new on Criterion Channel in January 2026
The Criterion Channel’s January programming offers a mix of nostalgic retrospectives, director spotlights, and exclusive premieres. Curated strands include a survey of 1990s films that borrow aesthetics and themes from the 1970s, a collection about people seeking “fresh starts,” and new additions to Criterion Collection editions.
The ’90s Do the ’70s
A centerpiece of the month is a themed lineup that traces how Gen X filmmakers reimagined the 1970s for the 1990s. Selections range from Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused and Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides to Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights — films that remix the era’s music, fashion, and political anxieties for contemporary audiences.
Fresh starts and dreamers
For January’s new-year mood, Criterion offers films about reinvention and second chances. The collection pairs classics such as Sleepless in Seattle with road-trip satires like Lost in America and character dramas that explore personal transformation.
Director and actor spotlights
Noah Baumbach curates an Adventures in Moviegoing installment, revisiting films that shaped his cinematic sensibility. The month also features retrospectives on Atom Egoyan, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Maya Deren, and Hlynur Pálmason — many accompanied by interviews from Criterion’s Meet the Filmmakers series.
Ben Whishaw receives a performance-focused showcase that highlights his range, from period roles to contemporary dramas. Terence Stamp’s career highlights are also collected, emphasizing his work with international auteurs.
Paul Thomas Anderson on the schedule
Paul Thomas Anderson appears in January programming through titles tied to the themed collections and Criterion editions. Notably, Boogie Nights is included in the ’90s/’70s strand, and Phantom Thread — starring Vicky Krieps opposite Daniel Day‑Lewis in a Paul Thomas Anderson period romance — is listed among new additions to director-focused programs.
Premieres and series
Criterion adds exclusive features such as The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire and debuts new episodes of Wong Kar Wai’s Blossoms Shanghai, with weekly drops across January. The channel also premieres contemporary shorts and documentaries, from Caribbean-American director Dwayne LeBlanc to music films like Contemporary Color.
How to watch
The Criterion Channel is available by subscription. New subscribers can access a free seven‑day trial via the service’s signup page. The January slate mixes streaming exclusives, Criterion Collection editions, and curated packages designed for cinephiles seeking both classics and contemporary discoveries.
Whether you’re chasing 1990s nostalgia, director deep dives, or new festival favorites, January’s lineup gives subscribers plenty to stream — including multiple entries tied to Paul Thomas Anderson’s filmography and influence.
Image Referance: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/9012-the-criterion-channel-s-january-2026-lineup
