We are now in the second half of 2026. In the first six months the San Antonio Spurs lost in the NBA Finals, long awaited films The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Michael earned an ungodly amount of money, and I got a new PR on my 5K time last month. Criterion is dropping seven brand new releases, all heavy hitters, during the month of the semi annual Barnes & Noble sale. I feel like a broken record at this point about this sale – but I assure you, the time to buy is NOW. Criterion is bringing back an out-of-print grail in a new 4K+Blu-Ray set, as well as four new 4K+Blu-Ray releases, a new 4K+Blu-Ray combo boxset, and one new Criterion Premieres release.
The Elephant Man (1980)
When I started watching the films of David Lynch I had only Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, and Wild at Heart. I had chalked him up to just being the ‘weird filmmaker;’ not in a bad way, but felt like he was a one-trick filmmaker. Then I watched The Elephant Man, and I was blown away. One of the most sincere and devastating films I have ever seen, The Elephant Man completely blew my mind. This is a film that should be seen by everyone, it is as brilliant as it is beautiful. I can praise this film with as many adjectives as I humanly can but it’s better to just go seek this film out. To add, the original Criterion release (now out-of-print) looked incredible before – I’m sure the new restoration looks even better. The Elephant Man is a 4K+Blu-Ray combo pack featuring a 4K digital restoration.
The Crying Game (1992)
I am not super familiar with the films of Neil Jordan but know that he made the film Interview with the Vampire. I am aware that he has the film Mona Lisa in the collection as well. But 1990s crime thrillers in Ireland sound like a total heater. While researching I saw there was a plot twist within the film as well and the ‘90s was infamous for wacky plot twists and I’m sure this film is no different. Everything about this (while reading up) oozes ‘90s flare and is on my watchlist for the near future. The Crying Game is a 4K+Blu-Ray combo pack featuring a new 4K digital restoration supervised and approved by director Neil Jordan.
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Martin Scorsese needs no introduction, but Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore may. The third feature film from Scorsese, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore is the follow-up to Mean Streets and is about a newly widowed mother who travels the US to pursue her dreams of being a singer. This film is a major figure in the New Hollywood movement and would be the framework to Scorsese’s more tender films. Furthermore, this film was the first Martin Scorsese film to be nominated for an Oscar which includes Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Actress (which itwon). Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore is a 4K+Blu-Ray combo pack featuring a new 4K digital restoration supervised and approved by director Martin Scorsese.
Hud (1963)
The book this film is based on, Horseman, Pass By by Larry McMurtry is a devastating book (only book to make me tear up!). The film is equally as heartbreaking but follows a different approach than the book. Instead of mythologizing Hud in the book, we are placed in his shoes in the film. The approach is different but the ethos of the book is preserved and Hud is one of the few instances where the changes in adaptation hold up. Anything Larry McMurtry did was excellent (see The Last Picture Show as proof) and Hud is no different – BUY THIS MOVIE (read the book too at 160ish pages). Hud is a 4K+Blu-Ray combo pack featuring a new 4K digital restoration.
I’ll Remind You of Everything: The Films of Mike Mills
This box set was a total surprise. Mike Mills is one of those directors for me whenever a new film from him is announced (which has been some time) the excitement propels into another stratosphere. The films within this box set, Beginners, 20th Century Woman, C’mon C’mon, are distributed by Focus Features (Beginners) and A24 (the other two) – which are distributors that don’t have a lot of presence in the Criterion Collection. Which is to say, Criterion securing this box set is massive. Stepping away from the labor of putting this set together, the films here are incredibly tender and brilliant in their own rights and are milestone films for cinema of the 21st century. If you haven’t seen any of these films you should rectify that. I’ll Remind You of Everything: The Films of Mike Mills is a 4K+Blu-Ray combo box set featuring new 4K digital masters of Beginners and 20th Century Women, supervised and approved by director Mike Mills as well as a new 4K digital master of C’mon C’mon, supervised and approved by Mills.
The Love That Remains (2025)
In a new release from Criterion’s ‘Criterion Premieres’ line of films, The Love That Remains is a freshly released film from Icelandic filmmaker, Hlynur Pálmason. The Love That Remains is a film about the aftermath of a separation between a couple and how their three children deal with it. This is the second Criterion Premieres release from Pálmason, with the first being Godland. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and the lead animal actor, Panda, won the Palm Dog Award. Criterion Premieres is a line of films that releases new Janus Film releases with minimal special features and The Love That Remains will release on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Cruel Story of Youth (1960)
Nagisa Oshima is one of the most outlandish and inventive filmmakers I’ve ever come across. In the Realm of the Senses is one of the most upsetting and unique films I’ve seen. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence is an incredibly tender and brilliant film with one of the most beautiful theme songs I’ve ever seen. A Oshima film about teenage lovers engaging in a life of crime? Yeah, that sounds about Oshima. Cruel Story of Youth is the breakthrough for Oshima and is a major film for the Japanese New Wave of films which challenged the conventions of films to a degree not done previously. If you haven’t seen anything from Nagisa Oshima previously, Cruel Story of Youth is a great starting point. Cruel Story of Youth is a 4K+Blu-Ray combo pack featuring a digital 4K restoration.
