Criterion Crazy: April 2026 Releases
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
Well, the calendar year has finally caught up with the Criterion Collection’s schedule, and we are both in 2026. Mind you, Criterion is looking ahead to April at this time, and they do so with an announcement that has a little bit of everything (something for any mood you may have). Nothing in this announcement has me floored but, in that same breath, nothing here feel questionable or out of place either. I think that my feeling of being slightly underwhelmed comes from the fact that only two of these titles feel brand new (one is a boxset, to be fair). Outside of Eclipse and Criterion Premieres releases, there are three films that are getting release upgrades, so not much here feels fresh (however, all of the titles here are welcome). I will say that each of these titles will rightfully find their homes with all kinds of cinephiles, and I hope this guide will steer you in the right direction as to what you may like.
The Favourite: John Singleton’s Hood Trilogy
John Singleton’s career never really reached the heights I thought it would because it started off so strong. Criterion saw fit to release the three loosely-linked films that all feature stories of life in the projects; Criterion has deemed this the “Hood Trilogy.” These include Singleton’s first two films — Boyz n the Hood (1991) and Poetic Justice (1993) — as well as 2001’s Baby Boy; I would argue that Baby Boy is good, but Singleton’s strongest feature films are the two aforementioned works. If you are unfamiliar with his films, I would recommend watching Boyz n the Hood first. It is a classic of nineties cinema, and easily Singleton’s greatest achievement. Should you want to pick up this boxset (available on 4K and Blu-ray), you will find that this is a loving tribute to the late American director. It has gorgeous artwork for the set and all three films and a slew of features, including audio commentary by Singleton for all three films (these must be archival recordings, or commentaries from other releases of these films), a documentary on Singleton, various archived materials, and a conversation about Singleton featuring director Ryan Coogler and actor/director Regina King. Singleton’s films are hard-hitting looks at tough lives told with a cinematic warmth to ease the roughness of his gritty material, and I think his films (especially Boyz n the Hood and Poetic Justice) are worth seeing at least once.
Old Times with New Hollywood: Point Blank (1967)
Right at the start of the New Hollywood movement was John Boorman’s Point Blank with a magnificent turn by star Lee Marvin; any fans of crime cinema need this film in their collection. Available on 4K and Blu-ray, this suave film will have a bunch of features, including audio commentary with Boorman and fellow filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, interviews, the Alcatraz documentary The Rock, and a program on Los Angeles architecture (it pertains to the film, believe me). While it may not carry the oomph that some other New Hollywood titles in the collection might, Point Blank is still a great film to have in your library should you be a fan of the era, movement, or genre.
It’s Time to Upgrade: Gilda (1946)
The best film to be featured in this announcement is Charles Vidor’s Gilda, with an iconic performance by one Rita Heyworth. The best news is that it is now available on 4K. A classic of films noir, Gilda is a work that makes you feel the allure of the femme fatale to the point of obfuscating what that term can mean. I have always thought that the cover here is playful and a lovely shot of Hayworth, but I also don’t think it really sells what watching Gilda feels like (this is all but a minor complaint); maybe this is an instance where the original, iconic poster would have served best, especially considering that they have done new covers for 4K upgrades before. Nonetheless, there isn’t much to complain about here; it’s Gilda on 4K, and with the same features that the DVD and Blu-ray releases boast.
Let’s Keep Upgrading: Trouble in Paradise (1932)
Ernst Lubitsch is one of the greatest minds in the early days of Hollywood (I will be covering his filmography in full later this year), and seeing his Pre-Code rom-com-crime caper, Trouble in Paradise, hit the Criterion Collection makes me smile. Our peculiar characters make a complicated scheme even more confusing when Trouble in Paradise leads us to one of cinema’s greatest love triangles (a trope that Lubitsch flirted with a lot). Once available just on DVD, Trouble in Paradise will now be on Blu-ray and 4K; I always find 4K upgrades of films from the thirties fascinating because of how much can be done with such dated, damaged film, so let’s see what this transfer looks like.
It’s Back: Life of Brian (1979)
One of the funniest films ever made is back in the Criterion Collection. What was once a DVD-only release (and, even then, it went out of print), Monty Python’s Life of Brian is now available on 4K and Blu-ray (although the DVD version remains out of print, and, I assume, likely never to come back). As much as I adore this film, I don’t see why having it on 4K is a must, and you can get away with owning it on Blu-ray, should you choose. Either way, I am happy that this comedy classic is back.
Let’s Not Forget About Eclipse: Kuniyo Tanaka Directs
Now, this is a neat Eclipse release. Kuniyo Tanaka is an actor best known for starring in a few incredible Japanese films, including her collaborations with Kenji Mizoguchi (including Ugetsu and Sansho the Bailiff). Tanaka broke ground when she directed her first film, Love Letter, in 1953: it was only the second time a Japanese woman had directed a feature film (after Tazuko Sakane broke ground in the thirties). All six of Tanaka’s films are in this collection, including great films like Forever a Woman (also known as The Eternal Breasts), and The Moon Has Risen. I never think that the Eclipse series misses, but this Tanaka collection is sublime and I cannot emphasize how cool this would be to own; if you view the Eclipse series as a spotlight on films and careers that have not garnered the reputations they deserve, then this is a release where that mission is greatly exemplified.
Finally, Criterion Premieres: Resurrection (2025)
Bi Gan continues to be a major name in Chinese experimental cinema, and his latest film, Resurrection, already has a massive fanbase attached to it. Available on DVD and Blu-ray (this film is itching to get a 4K upgrade, but I digress), if you are a fan of fragmented, cryptic, hypnotic cinema that puts you in a trance for two-and-a-half hours, Resurrection is a must-have for you. If that description sounds punishing, difficult, or unattractive, maybe don’t blind buy this one. I welcome this release and am happy that Criterion has made a home for contemporary films that likely wouldn’t be picked up by anything; there was a chance we wouldn’t see Resurrection for years after it is finally out of cinemas. We do not have to wait so long after all.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.