Criterion Challenge 2025
I recently learned about the Criterion Challenge. TL;DR - Watch 52 movies in the year according to a bunch of category themes.
See the original challenge post.
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.
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.
Categories & My Picks
I’m going to take the theme to the limit and attempt to watch only films I’ve never seen before.
Jules & Jim (1962)
This one is a bit of a cheat since my film club is already watching it this month. But hey, I’m starting a few weeks late. I need to catch up.
- Watch a film from the year you were born
Seems Like Old Times (1980)
This was a struggle. I found a list of the top 100 films from 1980 and I’ve seen almost all of them. Chevy Chase felt very 1980, and a comedy appeals. I suspect I won’t get too many more of those in this list.
The Player (1992)
I really disliked my Nashville watching experience in film class in college. I dreaded another super-70s Altman, so I went with this from the 90s.
- Watch a film that would be your first choice in the Criterion Closet
Barry Lyndon (1975)
This has been on my list forever and I’ve never gotten to it. I hear it’s the favorite Kubrick for many people. I hope to be in that club.
Thief (1981)
I’ve seen a lot in this category. James Caan’s look on the cover makes me think the music is going to be pretty solid.
Divorzio all’italiana (1961)
The description makes this sound like it’s gonna be a good watch. Critique of Italian social norms and the disconnect from morality. Neat!
- 1920s
Speedy (1928)
This sounds like it has all the hallmarks of a good time.
Ugetsu (1953)
One of the filmmakers that influenced Kurosawa? Sure thing!
- 1930s
Zero for Conduct (1933)
Vigo’s only feature film.
The Red Shoes (1948)
This one is already waiting on my Plex server. So many five-star ratings all over it.
- 1940s
Gaslight (1946)
I’ve also been sitting on this one waiting to watch it with a friend. We keep forgetting and forgetting. Now is the time.
Pina (2011)
I adore Wim Wenders, so I’m willing to take a ride with him to places I normally wouldn’t. A documentary about a choreographer? Sure!
- 1950s
Night of the Hunter (1955)
Film noir horror? Yes please.
Godland (2022)
An Iceland film? How did I miss this one? Sounds fantastic.
- 1960s
Persona (1966)
Bergman playing with visual poetry.
Forbidden Games (1952)
The cover image caught my attention. I know nothing about this one.
- 1970s
Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972)
Herzog plus grueling on-location shoot that put strains on the cast and production. It’s going to be an experience.
All That Money Can Buy (1941)
Faust!
- 1980s
Streetwise (1984)
This year my film club has a focus on documentaries. I may be able to work this one into one of our months. It looks to capture the feeling of gen X in a really visceral way, through the lost runaways in Seattle. Latchkey without a home to go back to.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)
I really enjoyed the John le Carré book. I’m curious how this b+w film will take on the story.
- 1990s
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
I found a Rotten Tomatoes list of the top 140 films of the decade and there were only 4 I haven’t seen already. Yikes!
- Documentary
20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
This sounds really engaging. A tribute to backup singers. I love things that shine a spotlight on the underappreciated.
- 2000s
A Prophet (2009)
French gangster film, and the highest rated of the decade I haven’t seen.
Tori et Lokita (2022)
I think this one is gonna break me.
- 2010s
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
Mr Rodgers! Except not. It’s the story of Lloyd Vogel and we intersect with Mr. Rodgers throughout. I just watched this one last weekend and it was so beautiful. Many tears were shed and I love everything about what Mr. Rogers stood for even more now.
Petite Maman (2021)
Coming to terms with loss, familial ties, and a sense of freedom from existential sadness. Can’t wait.
- 2020s
TÁR (2022)
I missed this when all my friends were watching and loving it. Time to catch up.
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
I have seen so many noir films and loved them all. This one isn’t in my collection, but had a cool poster.
Harakiri (1962)
There are so many Godzilla films in this list that I wish I could pick, but I’ve watched them all with my son. So instead I’ll pick something else from Japan.
The Third Man (1949)
This has been sitting in my collection for a really long time and it’s a shame I haven’t gotten to it yet.
- North American film
Birdman (2014)
This looks really good and I meant to see it years ago.
High and Low (1963)
Kurosawa and Mifune. How can you go wrong?
The Munekata Sisters (1950)
An Ozu film.
- South American film
No (2012)
Fighting a dictator with joy. I think I could use this right now.
- 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.)
Drylongso (1998)
Random number 1190
Man Push Cart (2005)
The concept caught my eye.
- Watch a film shorter than 80 minutes
Bad Black (2016)
So difficult to get films from Africa in these things. This looks wild. Low budget action comedy!
- European film
8½ (1963)
It’s time I watch this classic.
- Cult Movies
Ganja & Hess (1973)
I actually have this sitting in my collection already. It looks glorious.
La Strada (1954)
Fellini in a beauty & the beast interpretation? Sounds intriguing.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
The description didn’t interest me at all, but it’s in Winona’s list, so I’m going for it.
- African film
Tsotsi (2005)
I went down this path looking for good African films last year. This is one I haven’t gotten to yet but has solid reviews.
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
The review I read sold me.
- Horror
The Innocents (1961)
Gothic horror at its finest!
- Asian film
Yi Yi (2000)
A bunch of people on Reddit say it’s their favorite of all time. Gotta trust the strangers.
The Worst Person in the World (2021)
I almost picked this for another category. It looks great.
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
Lets be honest. This is for David Bowie.
- Australian film
Chopper (2000)
I’ve long had this on my list of quintessential Aussie films to watch. It’s waiting for me on Plex already.
Smooth Talk (1985)
This was the most extreme 80s cover image I’ve ever seen. It looks like it should be a Hall & Oates album. Yes, I’m picking this because of a silly picture. Maybe it’ll be good too.
Rumble Fish (1983)
Ahh! All the Zatoichi films, but I’ve already binged them. Curses. That would have been fun. I’ve seen most of these on the list, actually. My choices were this or Sweet Smell of Success (1957). I’m going with the 80s gang wars.
- A film by a director whose work you have not seen before
Ishtar (1987)
This is a really hard category. How do you even find directors you haven’t seen before? What do I search? I went with women directors, found Elaine May, and thought I had a winner. But it looks like her best rated stuff she didn’t direct, but instead wrote. I was reading the list aloud and Leah said, “Ishtar was directed by a woman? Wasn’t that one of the worst films ever made? You have to pick that one.” So here we are.
- Watch any Criterion film from your watchlist
Night on Earth (1991)
I don’t use Letterboxed, but I do have a watchlist on Plex & Trakt!
Well then. That was a lot. It took me almost 3 hours to put that together. Yikes! Part of me wanted to add in thumbnails of each of the films to this post, and maybe make a nice cover image to share, but I’m spent. Time to get watching!