MUBI v The Criterion Channel. The Battle for High Cinema.

Over the course of the historic federal and state mandated quarantine in response to novel COVID-19, I’ve found myself (like millions of others) spending more time than ever streaming content from household names such as Netflix, Amazon and Disney+.

To my own surprise, I’ve managed to more or less exhaust my preferences and viewing options on just about all of those platforms at this point. Yet with The Criterion Collection launching their own streaming service today and without much to lose and all the time in the world to kill, I decided to take my chances on two lesser known platforms serving up high-quality, auteur cinema from around the world; MUBI and The Criterion Channel.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Now before we continue, I do think it’s worth noting that if you’re approaching either streaming service looking to find similar titles to your favorite Marvel or Star Wars films than I can safely say right now you’re in for a jarring disappointment.

Which isn’t at all to say that there aren’t films in either library that don’t match up in either production value or quality of storytelling. Simply put though, you’d be hard pressed to find films with the same level of commercial success and notoriety and (ahem) marketing budgets that major studio films are often bestowed with now-a-days.

What you will find though in the content catalog featured on both these platforms, is a revolving curated collection of films from around the world spanning nearly every decade going as far back as the birth of cinema itself.

This is uncharted territory for most (myself included) and only an open mind will suffice from here on out. If you can honestly bring yourself to watching a film that was released prior to the year of your birth by a relatively unknown filmmaker from a country you never knew made films, then you may be in store for one hell of an enlightenment.

MUBI v CRITERION CHANNEL.

Now that you have some idea of what you’re getting yourself into, you may be asking yourself which platform to try out first? (As I definitely advise giving both a shot).

This is more a personal preference than anything. You see both services offer a stunning array of classical and contemporary foreign films, Oscar contenders, art house pictures and cult classics which you’re unlikely to find anywhere else on a centralized platform.

MUBI

With that said, MUBI offers a limited release of 30 hand-picked films each month with a new ‘Film of the Day’ introduced daily as another film exits rotation. So you always have 30 days to watch a particular title. Plus within these 30 films you can expect to find specially programmed smaller curations including double features, filmmaker retrospectives, festival spotlights and long running themes.

Their team of dedicated cinephiles and content contributors are as international as the films they curate bringing a deeply authentic bias to the films on rotation all with the support of Creative Europe MEDIA, a creative arts program co-founded by the European Union and dedicated to championing European cinema to a global audience.

THE CRITERION CHANNEL

If MUBI should represent passing through the rabbit hole of cinema, The Criterion Channel would be the wonderland on the other side.

Launching April 8, 2020 and presented (naturally) by The Criterion Collection, The Criterion Channel will make accessible over 1,000 feature films, 350 shorts, and roughly 3,500 additional features including trailers, introductions, behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, video essays, commentary tracks, and rare archival footage.

Their platform will also feature a constantly refreshed selection of films from a wide array of studio and independent licensors including Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), Lionsgate and IFC Films to name a few.

Furthermore, all films will be available for a minimum of 90 days unless otherwise noted.

Needless to say, The Criterion Channel bolsters an impressive and unparalleled library of films from classical and contemporary masterpieces to obscure yet essential art house pictures along with anything and everything in between.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS.

Now that we’ve covered the basics on each platform, How do you decide which streaming service is right for you? Because let’s face it, we’re now in the middle of a pandemic-driven recession and if you’re like me, you’re currently looking to limit the number of active monthly subscriptions you have on tab.

But remember when I mentioned earlier that such a decision is more of a personal preference? That’s because I believe it truly is.

You see the thing is, I initially dived headfirst into this vast new ocean of films and film culture. Excitedly taking advantage of the generous free trials both platforms were promoting only to become quickly overwhelmed by the seemingly endless collection of films, filmmakers, genres, time periods, countries of origin prevalent within each service.

This was more so evident with my introduction to The Criterion Channel.

Only then was I humbled enough to realize that high cinema is like fine wine. An acquired taste of sorts. One must take their time and enjoy the experience of entering and discovering this new and unexplored frontier of an art form that has given rise to so many beautiful and talented voices. Lucky for us, time happens to be our greatest commodity at the moment.

Ultimately, I decided to continue my subscription with MUBI as a method of slowly introducing myself to this awe-inspiring new world of cinema…for now, at least.

LOOKING TO WATCH A GREAT FILM!?

First time subscribers can now enjoy all the benefits of MUBI via a 7-Day Free Trial and The Criterion Channel via a 14-day free trial!

Still feeling overwhelmed? Check out Notebook and The Current, MUBI and The Criterion Channel’s respective daily, in-house publications designed to guide you through their endless torrent of content!