- Criterion Channel’s January 2026 programming spotlights ’90s films, director retrospectives, and new premieres.
- Paul Thomas Anderson appears with Boogie Nights in a ’90s/’70s survey and Phantom Thread premieres Jan 1.
- Spotlights include Noah Baumbach’s Adventures in Moviegoing and a Ben Whishaw actor series.
- New premieres include The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire and Wong Kar Wai’s Blossoms Shanghai episodes.
What’s new in January
The Criterion Channel’s January 2026 lineup mixes thematic packages, retrospectives, and exclusive premieres. Highlights include a survey called “The ’90s Do the ’70s,” a collection about dreamers titled “Fresh Starts,” and an array of director-focused programs and new series.
The ’90s revisit the ’70s — with Paul Thomas Anderson
Programmers group several 1990s films that riff on 1970s culture and iconography. Notable inclusions are Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights (1997). In addition, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread (starring Vicky Krieps and Daniel Day-Lewis) is listed as premiering on January 1, giving viewers another chance to revisit one of the director’s acclaimed works.
Fresh Starts: films about reinvention
“Fresh Starts” gathers movies about second chances and reinvention, ranging from classic musicals to modern romances. Selections include Sleepless in Seattle, Lost in America, and Shirley Valentine — an apt suite for the new-year mood of renewal.
Spotlight programs and retrospectives
Noah Baumbach contributes to the channel’s long-running Adventures in Moviegoing series with a curated selection of formative films. A Ben Whishaw spotlight highlights his performances from Bright Star to Limonov: The Ballad. There are also retrospectives on Atom Egoyan, Maya Deren, William Lustig’s cult pulp, and a three-film set from Kleber Mendonça Filho.
Exclusive premieres and series
January premieres include the hypnotic anti-biopic The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire and new episodes of Wong Kar Wai’s Blossoms Shanghai, which drops new episodes each Monday. The channel also debuts short-film programs by Dwayne LeBlanc and Jess X. Snow and a selection of documentaries and music films.
Criterion Collection editions and extras
Several Criterion Collection editions are featured, including Dazed and Confused and The Ice Storm with supplemental material such as audio commentaries and making‑of features. The channel’s programming lists present both curated packages and newly added titles to existing programs.
How to watch
Criterion offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers at CriterionChannel.com. The January lineup is available in full on the channel, with some programs marked as U.S.-only.
For cinephiles looking to revisit Paul Thomas Anderson’s work or discover curated director showcases and exclusive premieres, the Criterion Channel’s January 2026 slate provides a dense month of landmark films and specialist programming.
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