Every first of the month, I check the "Leaving Soon" section on the Criterion Channel. It is usually a heartbreaker. Last month, it was a collection of golden-age noir films that aren't easily available on Blu-ray.
I wanted to download movies on Criterion Channel for an upcoming trip where Wi-Fi would be nonexistent, but I prefer watching cinema on my MacBook Pro, not squinting at my phone. That is when I hit the wall that many audiences likely have: Criterion Channel doesn't provide a desktop download service.
After testing several workarounds—including screen recorders that resulted in nothing but black screens due to HDCP protections—I found that the direct downloading method is the best choice for archival quality. This guide covers the Criterion download limits we should never omit, and the detailed steps to download movies on PCs.
Quick Note:
1. Criterion Channel download limits: Only on mobile devices. Downloads expire after 30 days or 48 hours. ➡️ Check Section 2
2. Download Criterion movies on PC: Use an extra tool like KeepStreams for MPD to download VOD & live content from Criterion on Windows/Mac. ➡️ Check Section 3
3. Download Criterion movies on Mobile: Use the official app of Criterion to download VOD content on an Android/iOS phone or tablet. ➡️ Check Section 4
What is Criterion Channel?
The Criterion Channel is a wonderland for movie enthusiasts. Started by providing CD, DVD, Blu-ray products, the company hosts various movies in high definition all over the world.
First, Criterion offered its streaming VOD content on Mubi, Hulu+, and TCM's FilmStruck. But on April 8 in 2019, the Criterion Channel stood alone as a new streaming platform and became a unique definition in the crowded streaming market.
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The subscription at $10.99/mo or $99.99/yr is necessary to unlock the full library of Criterion Channel and use the download service.
You can find many licensed films from various studios and rights holders in Criterion, which are often offered for a limited time. Hesitating in choosing titles? Navigate to Criterion 24/7 and enjoy the endless rotating playlists.
Note: Sometimes, you can find a special offer on the Criterion Channel. For example, in 2025, Criterion offered a free 24/7 live channel service at night from April 8 to April 14 to celebrate its 6th anniversary.
Criterion Download Limits
When you search for "can you download movies on Criterion Channel", the official FAQ says "Yes," but the fine print matters.
The service uses a licensing protection system called Widevine DRM. This restricts Criterion Channel's offline downloads strictly to their mobile ecosystem.
- Supported: iPhone, iPad, Android phones, Android tablets, Amazon Fire tablets.
- Not Supported: Windows PCs, macOS (MacBooks/iMacs), Linux distributions.
If you are a collector or an archivist at heart, this is insufficient. Mobile downloads are encrypted cache files—they expire after 30 days (or 48 hours once you press play) and cannot be moved to an external hard drive or a Plex server.
How to Download Movies on Criterion Channel on Laptop?
Since there is no official desktop app, you need an extra tool to bypass the mobile restriction and download from Criterion Channel to a computer. KeepStreams for MPD is a good choice.
Dedicated Tool: KeepStreams for MPD
Unlike screen recorders, which capture the video frame-by-frame (often resulting in stuttering or dropped frames), KeepStreams downloads the source video file directly from the server. What's more, it supports about 168 MPD video sites in total, including BBC, CTV, CBS, BritBox, etc.
For a Criterion audience, fidelity is everything. There is no point in downloading Seven Samurai if the grain structure is destroyed by compression artifacts. Here is why this tool fits the "cinephile" requirement:
1. Bitrate & Resolution: It pulls the 1080p stream (typically around 4000–6000 kbps for Criterion) rather than a compressed screen capture.
2. Subtitle Preservation: This is critical. Criterion films often have complex subtitles. KeepStreams allows you to download subtitles as separate .srt files or remux them into the video.
Step-by-Step Guide to Download Movies on Criterion Channel on Laptop
KeepStreams does not try to be a media center; it is a tool that provides 2 ways to download videos: URL pasting and direct playing. Here is the workflow to download from Criterion Channel to your laptop:
Step1
Download and Install KeepStreams
Install KeepStreams for MPD on your PC. It's recommended to download it from the official site in order to prevent possible spam or viruses.
Step2
Visit Criterion and Log in to Your Account
Paste the official site of Criterion (www.criterion.com) into the search bar. Press Enter to visit it. Log in to your Criterion account to verify the accessibility to the library.
Step3
Play Movies and Download
Play the movies you want to download in the built-in browser, and KeepStreams will automatically analyze them. When the analysis is done, a window follows up (if not, open it manually by clicking the orange download icon at the bottom right).
Set the download options, including video, audio, and subtitles, in the window. Click "Download Now" to save the movie right away, or click on "Add to Queue" to batch download multiple titles together later.
5. Set download options and click "Download Now". All the titles will be saved in the local folder on your computer in MP4 or MKV format (you can change this through the Settings). Enjoy it!
Before you hit download, it is important to address the legal problems. While the Criterion Channel's ToS technically prohibits bypassing encryption, copyright regulations in many jurisdictions distinguish between commercial piracy and personal archiving (often referred to as "format shifting").
This software is intended strictly for personal use—creating a local backup for offline viewing when the official service fails to provide a viable option for your device. As a user, you must ensure you do not distribute, share, or upload these files. Doing so would cross the line from personal fair use into copyright infringement.
This software is intended strictly for personal use—creating a local backup for offline viewing when the official service fails to provide a viable option for your device. As a user, you must ensure you do not distribute, share, or upload these files. Doing so would cross the line from personal fair use into copyright infringement.
How to Download Movies on Criterion Channel on Mobile?
If you only want to enjoy Criterion movies on a mobile phone or tablet, and don't care about the expiration limit, the official Criterion Channel is the best choice for you to download movies for offline viewing.
To download videos from Criterion Channel, you need to prepare the following 3 items in advance:
- A supported mobile device: Android, iOS phone/tablet;
- An active subscribed account: The download function is only available for subscribers.
- A robust internet connection: Wi-Fi or cellular connection
And connect your mobile devices to the Internet and follow these steps:
Step1
Get the Criterion Channel app from the app store on your phone/tablet.
Step2
Tap the film or video you want to download/sync.
Step3
Tap the Options button and choose Download to save the title.
Step4
Once the download is done, you can find them in the Library > OFFLINE VIDEOS
Note: For now, the Criterion Channel is only available in the UK, US, and Canada. If you live outside of Europe or North America, it's impossible to enjoy films from Criterion.
Remember, due to DRM, The Criterion Channel imposes a strict limit on the duration of video availability offline. Normally, you have 30 days to start playing a downloaded title. When it starts, you only have 48 hours to finish playback.
Comparison: Criterion Mobile App vs. KeepStreams
If you are debating whether to just settle for the iPad app or invest in a desktop solution, this breakdown highlights the functional differences.
| Feature | Official Criterion App | KeepStreams |
| Supported Device | iOS, Android, Fire OS | Windows 10/11, Mac 10.11 - 15.x |
| Output Format | Encrypted Cache | MP4/MKV |
| Video Quality | Dependent on the connection | 1080p / 720p |
| Download Speed | Standard | Turbo (GPU Accelerated) |
| Supported Content | VOD content | Live & VOD content from |
| Expiration | 30 Days / 48 Hours after play | Never (Permanent) |
| Able to Move | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Batch Download | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Subs Extracting | ❌ | ✔️ |
The "Linux" Gap: Can you download Criterion movies on a Linux PC?
Criterion officially does not support Linux due to Widevine DRM levels. However, KeepStreams for MPD can output standard MP4 files. It means Linux users can download the files on a Windows/Mac partition or virtual machine, and then transfer the files to their Ubuntu or Fedora setup for playback via VLC.
FAQs
Q1. Can you download movies on the Criterion Channel laptop officially?
A1. No. The official "Offline Viewing" feature is hard-coded to detect mobile operating systems. If you access the site via a desktop browser, the download icon is hidden from the UI. You need an extra tool, such as a dedicated MPD downloader, to download videos on PC.
Q2. Do downloaded movies expire with KeepStreams?
A2. No. Unlike the official app, which deletes your downloads after 30 days, files downloaded via KeepStreams are standard video files stored locally on your hard drive. They remain playable even if your subscription lapses or if the movie is removed from the Criterion Channel.
Q3. Is it legal to download these movies?
A3. Recording or downloading streaming content for personal, non-commercial use (time-shifting or format-shifting) is generally tolerated under Fair Use doctrines in many jurisdictions. Always stick to copyright laws in your region and never share or upload the files.
Q4. Where can I watch movies on Criterion Channel?
A4. Now, you can only watch Criterion shows in the UK, the US, and Canada. If you want to access it from other regions, it's recommended to use a VPN to change your IP address to the service region of the Criterion Channel.
Conclusion
The Criterion Collection is more than just a content library. For many of us, it is a digital film school. While the platform officially answers "no" when subscribers ask, "Can I download movies from Criterion Channel?" to a laptop, third-party tools offer a necessary workaround for the serious collector.
Whether you are rushing to archive a rare film before it vanishes from the "Leaving Soon" list, or you simply need a reliable method for Criterion Channel offline downloads on a long flight, KeepStreams for MPD fills that functional gap.
What's more, KeepStreams itself also has other tools to download Netflix movies on Mac or rip videos from Hulu. No matter what you like, KeepStreams can help.
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