MUBI
From ~$14.99 per mo
The Criterion Channel
From ~$10.99 per mo
MUBI is a curated service spotlighting acclaimed arthouse and global cinema, often rotating films. The Criterion Channel offers a deep library of classics and contemporary films with rich extras. MUBI wins on tight curation and discovery; Criterion wins on library depth and supplements.
Pick MUBI if you want tightly curated arthouse and global cinema with strong discovery of new films.
Pick The Criterion Channel if you want a deep, supplement-rich library of classics and contemporary films.
MUBI and The Criterion Channel both serve serious film lovers, but they curate differently. MUBI is highly curated and discovery-driven, spotlighting acclaimed, arthouse, festival, and global cinema, historically with a rotating selection that introduces something new regularly. The Criterion Channel is a deep, evergreen library of classic and contemporary films — many from the famed Criterion Collection — with rich supplements like commentaries, essays, and restorations that add context for cinephiles.
On price, MUBI is around $14.99 a month and the Criterion Channel around $10.99. The choice is mostly tightly curated arthouse discovery (MUBI) versus a deep, supplement-rich library of classics (Criterion).
We compare curation, library depth, extras, price, and focus.
| Quick facts | MUBI | The Criterion Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From ~$14.99/mo | From ~$10.99/mo |
| Curation / discovery | Best-in-class | Strong |
| Library depth | Curated | Best-in-class |
| Extras / supplements | Good | Best-in-class |
| Best for | Arthouse discovery | Classics + supplements |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | M MUBI | T The Criterion Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-picked curation | Best-in-class | Strong |
| Deep classic library | Good | Best-in-class |
| Global / arthouse cinema | Best-in-class | Strong |
| Supplements & extras | Good | Best-in-class |
| Restorations | Strong | Best-in-class |
| Discovery of new films | Best-in-class | Good |
| Lower price | No | Yes |
| Cinephile focus | Best-in-class | Best-in-class |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-26.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
MUBI is excellent for discovery and curation, but its rotating, curated approach means less of an always-available deep library.
The Criterion Channel has remarkable depth and extras, but it is less about constant discovery of brand-new arthouse titles.
For discovery MUBI wins; for a deep library with context Criterion wins.
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