The Criterion Challenge 2025.
Welcome to the fifth annual Criterion Challenge where we celebrate The Criterion Collection! Can you believe it has been HALF A DECADE? When I started this challenge, I never expected it to hit the ground running as fast as it did, so thanks to all of you for participating. I wanted this year to mix in some categories throughout the years as well as be even more collaborative. I took many of your suggestions and turned them into categories. It’s a very exciting line-up for 2025!
But first, time for the rules:
There are 52 categories. The goal is to watch any Criterion released film based on the categories below between 1/1/25-12/31/25. Your choices can be…
The Criterion Challenge 2025.
Welcome to the fifth annual Criterion Challenge where we celebrate The Criterion Collection! Can you believe it has been HALF A DECADE? When I started this challenge, I never expected it to hit the ground running as fast as it did, so thanks to all of you for participating. I wanted this year to mix in some categories throughout the years as well as be even more collaborative. I took many of your suggestions and turned them into categories. It’s a very exciting line-up for 2025!
But first, time for the rules:
There are 52 categories. The goal is to watch any Criterion released film based on the categories below between 1/1/25-12/31/25. Your choices can be any films released by Criterion on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, Laserdisc, or ones that have been featured on The Criterion Channel streaming service (although I'd prefer you choose films they've actually put out themselves).
The films can be watched daily, weekly, or monthly, and in any order! Watch them at your own pace, but remember you have to finish by 12/31/25.
I would like for all picks to be first time watches, but will leave that up to you.
Don't forget to visit The Criterion Collection for all your film needs, and they have a pretty sweet streaming service for endless options to choose from when you're struggling to find things to watch.
HUGE SHOUTOUT to Josh and Criterion Closet Picks for their amazing lists which helps this process be much smoother.
Now...what you all have been waiting for...
Categories: 43/52
☑ 1. Watch a film from the CC40 Boxset
2. Watch a film from the year you were born
3. Directed by Robert Altman
☑ 4. Watch a film that would be your first choice in the Criterion Closet
☑ 5. Great Soundtracks
6. John Turturro’s Adventures in Moviegoing
☑ 7. 1920s
☑ 8. Watch a film that will be added to the physical collection in 2025
☑ 9. 1930s
☑ 10. Andrew Garfield’s Closet Picks
☑ 11. 1940s
12. Celine Song’s Top 10
☑ 13. 1950s
☑ 14. Watch a film from the Criterion Channel’s all time favorites lists
☑ 15. 1960s
☑ 16. Watch a film that is currently out of print from the physical collection
☑ 17. 1970s
18. William Friedkin’s Closet Picks
☑ 19. 1980s
☑ 20. Spine #451-499
☑ 21. 1990s
22. Documentary
☑ 23. 2000s
☑ 24. Janus Contemporaries
☑ 25. 2010s
☑ 26. Bill Hader’s Second Closet Picks
☑ 27. 2020s
☑ 28. Noir and Neonoir
☑ 29. All Time Top Criterion Closet Picks
☑ 30. Criterion Releases Never Picked in the Closet
☑ 31. North American film
☑ 32. Ayo Edebiri’s Closet Picks
33. Wim Wenders’ Adventures in Moviegoing
☑ 34. South American film
☑ 35. Random Number Generator (Google random number generator, set values from 1 to whatever number Criterion has listed last here. This number will change as more releases are announced so please keep up to date by using the link I have provided as I will not be updating each time Criterion makes announcements. Watch whatever movie corresponds to the spine number you are given.)
☑ 36. AAPI Filmmakers
☑ 37. Watch a film shorter than 80 minutes
☑ 38. European film
☑ 39. Cult Movies
40. Isabella Rossellini’s Adventures in Moviegoing
☑ 41. Winona Ryder’s Closet Picks
☑ 42. African film
☑ 43. John Carpenter’s Top 10
☑ 44. Horror
☑ 45. Asian film
☑ 46. Dark Comedies
47. Rachel Kushner’s Adventures in Moviegoing
☑ 48. Australian film
☑ 49. Female Filmmakers
☑ 50. Ben Wheatley’s Closet Picks
☑ 51. A film by a director whose work you have not seen before
☑ 52. Watch any Criterion film from your watchlist