One of the most exciting days of the month is here for physical media collectors. The Criterion Collection has announced its May 2026 titles, which include a pair of 2025 releases.
The Criterion Collection just announced the new titles for May 2026 being added to the collection. The Criterion Collection always announces its new releases three months in advance, and they are available to pre-order right away. Here is a look at the May 2026 Criterion additions:
Sentimental Value, dir. by Joachim Trier, 2025
Sentimental Value was one of the hit films of 2025. It had a lot of success at the Golden Globes, including Stellan Skarsgard winning for Best Supporting Actor. The film is nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It joins the rarefied air of a movie to get a Criterion Collection release immediately after its theatrical run.
Lenny, dir. by Bob Fosse, 1974
This is a truly inspired choice by the Criterion Collection. Bob Fosse’s Lenny is a biopic of comedian Lenny Bruce, starring the great Dustin Hoffman. The film details the true rise and fall of Bruce, who was arrested for telling obscene jokes just as his career was taking off.
Body Heat, dir. by Lawrence Kasdan, 1981
Lawrence Kasdan gets another one of his films in the Criterion Collection with 1981’s Body Heat. This neo-noir erotic thriller stars William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, and Mickey Rourke. Kasdan’s hit The Big Chill is already featured in the Criterion Collection.
Fresh Kill, dir. by Shu Lea Cheang, 1994
Shu Lea Cheang’s Fresh Kill is the exact type of film that the Criterion Collection loves to promote. It is a true independent cult classic that is heralded by the feminist and queer film communities.
The Delta, dir. by Ira Sachs, 1996
The Delta is another important piece of queer cinema, which depicts the life of a young man figuring out his sexuality in Memphis, Tennessee, in the 90s. It is both a coming-of-age film and a dramatic romance story.
Peter Hujar’s Day, dir. by Ira Sachs, 2025
Ira Sachs is getting two films released in the Criterion Collection in May! The Delta was his debut directorial feature. Meanwhile, his latest film, Peter Hujar’s Day, is also getting a release. This was an underseen 2025 film starring Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall. It is a very contained story exploring the art world in New York in the 1970s.
Stray Dog, dir. by Akira Kurosawa, 1949
Akira Kurosawa gets another release in the Criterion Collection, this time with his 1949 crime noir Stray Dog. Kurosawa is one of the most featured directors in the collection, including the second-ever Criterion release, Seven Samurai.
FAQs
When do the May 2026 Criterion Collection releases ship?
All of the new releases will ship sometime in May. Stray Dog will be available starting on May 5th, the two Ira Sachs films will be available on May 12th, Fresh Kill and Body Heat will be available on May 19th, and Sentimental Value and Lenny will be available on May 26th. You can purchase those in person at a Barnes and Noble or anywhere else that carries the Criterion Collection on those dates. Those dates are also when the copy will ship if you pre-order online.
How often does the Criterion Collection release new titles?
The Criterion Collection announces new titles every month, three months in advance of when the new titles will actually ship to customers.
Can you stream the Criterion Collection?
Criterion has its own streaming channel, The Criterion Channel. A bulk of the Criterion Collection is available to stream there, along with many other titles not available in physical form. Plenty of the Criterion Collection films are also available to stream on other services.
