Inside the Criterion Collection
As a film student, I am disappointed that I only recently became aware of the Criterion Collection. Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been collecting films from all around the world. Regardless of the medium, quality, or award status, Criterion has maintained a vast and detailed collection. In an age where physical media is becoming more important, having groups like this whose mission is to keep media alive is extremely important. Criterion Collection has a subsection called Criterion Closet Picks, which is how I found out about this company. It hosts a variety of different stars to come in and pick out their favorite films. I chose to dig deeper into some of these.
It was extremely hard to pick which artists I wanted to feature in this blog post. There are so many iconic names on this list, such as Guillermo Del Toro, Elle Fanning, Ethel Cain, Kevin Bacon, and many more that I could list. Just scrolling through their webpage or their TikTok, I was amazed to see how many people have made their picks and support the collection. It’s also fun to see actors come back and change what their picks were, or come on with friends in the industry and allow us to see a peek into their personal lives.
The first actor I chose to dive into is John Lithgow. He has been on my top actor list for a long time, being moved by his performance in How I Met Your Mother. But I have also enjoyed his performances in Footloose, The Crown (this one specifically is one of my favorite performances by Lithgow), and 3rd Rock From the Sun. I am also looking forward to seeing how he portrays Dumbledore in HBO’s production of Harry Potter. John has a very diverse list from many different eras of the film industry. Sullivan’s Travels, This Sporting Life, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Blow Out, The Complete Jacques Tati, and The Lady Vanishes all land on Lithgow’s picks. He comments on directors greatness and the ability to make the audience laugh, as well as personal details of his life and how these films have shaped him.
My second choice of actors is Winona Ryder. I chose Winona because she has always been such a huge inspiration to me and all I do. She has such an amazing list of projects that she has worked on, and recently she wrapped Stranger Things, which could be a whole blog in itself. Some of my favorite works from Winona (and I’m keeping it short) include Little Women, Reality Bites, and Heathers. When Winona was visiting the Criterion Closet, she had a long list of choices. She grabbed Au Revoir Les Enfants, The Learning Tree, John Cassavetes: Five Films (collection set), Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Down by Law, Lost in America, Materwan, and After Life. She was so excited the whole time she was in the closet, and carried a lot of the same energy that I feel like I would have in the closet as well. She discusses how films can express emotions without showing certain elements (i.e., Au Revoir Les Enfants, not including violent sequences), as well as how actresses have inspired her life and her performances.
I decided I would finish this post with Bill Hader way back in 2011. Bill Hader first came into my film knowledge in 2019 when IT: Chapter Two was released, but I have also enjoyed his performances in Superbad, Barry, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I have also enjoyed many of his skits on Saturday Night Live. He has a solid collection, including Amarcord, House, Salo, or 120 Days of Sodom, Green for Danger, Loves of a Blonde, The Daytrippers, and Antichrist. As a man known for his comedy, he starts off with a comedic entry and carries that energy through the entire interview. I chose this one specifically cause I enjoy Bill Hader, but I also love to see how the company, as well as film quality, has changed since then.
Now it’s time for my picks. Now, I kept my list very short, as scrolling through, I could list a good amount of movies I would grab from here. But to start, I’ll go with The Breakfast Club. I remember first watching this movie in probably 6th grade, and my parents promptly decided we would try again in a few years. Then, a few years later, we found ourselves watching it, only to find it again on ABC a few weeks later. Just saying the ABC version is very child-friendly. For the good memories and amazing improvement from the actors, I had to grab this one. My second choice is Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I love John Cameron Mitchell’s performance in this film and the overall costuming and aesthetic. I also have a personal love for the musical.
The third film I picked is This Is Spinal Tap. I watched this film for the first time just recently, following Reiner’s passing. This Is Spinal Tap is hilarious, and I feel as if it embodies who Rob Reiner was as a person. War of the Worlds is my fourth pick; this film has been a major influence on my life and a large part of my college years. Many times I chose this iconic piece for a project study, turning it into radio shows and theatre performances, and I spent many hours with Orson Welles and Byron Haskin. And to close us out, I chose Fantastic Mr. Fox. I have always found this film charming and holding a great message.
This whole post was a lot of fun to research and see everyone’s different tastes, as well as all the different films from all over the world. There are so many interviews and movies, and they are constantly adding. Some of the movies coming in 2026 include Killers of the Flower Moon, Network, and Monty Python’s Life of Brian, with the list constantly growing. I would definitely recommend digging into this site if you have the chance, as there is a lot to learn.
Sources
The Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Criterion Closet Picks | The Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com/closet-picks. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
John Lithgow’s Closet Picks | The Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com/shop/collection/773-john-lithgow-s-closet-picks. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Winona Ryder’s Closet Picks | The Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com/shop/collection/677-winona-ryder-s-closet-picks. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Bill Hader’s Closet Picks (2011) | The Criterion Collection, www.criterion.com/shop/collection/488-bill-hader-s-closet-picks-2011. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
