How to Cancel Your
Criterion Channel Subscription
Saying au revoir to Criterion? We understand -- $10.99/mo is a lot to pay even when every film is a masterpiece. Here is how to cancel in under 2 minutes, with all the artful simplicity of a Kurosawa cut.
Quick Overview
Monthly Cost
$10.99/mo
Difficulty
EasyTime
~2 minutes
Refund
No partial refunds
Cancel Criterion Channel on the Website
Go to criterionchannel.com and sign in
Open your browser and head to criterionchannel.com. Sign in with the email and password you used when you created your account. If you have forgotten your password, use the reset option on the login page.
Navigate to your Account settings
Click on your profile icon or name in the top-right corner of the page. Select Account from the dropdown. This brings you to the page with your subscription details, plan type, and billing info.
Click Cancel Subscription
In the subscription section of your account page, find the Cancel Subscription option and click it. Criterion may ask you why you are leaving or offer you a discount -- but you can skip through these if your mind is made up.
Confirm your cancellation
Click the final Confirm Cancellation button. You will see a confirmation message, and Criterion will send you an email. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period -- so watch one more Bergman film while you can.
Important: This method only works if you signed up directly on the Criterion Channel website. If you subscribed through Apple or Google, you need to cancel through that platform instead (see below).
Subscribed Through Apple or Google?
Criterion Channel is available through the App Store and Google Play. The cancellation process depends on where you originally signed up. Check your bank statement to see who is charging you.
Cancel via iPhone / iPad
- 1. Open Settings on your iPhone
- 2. Tap your name at the top (Apple Account)
- 3. Tap Subscriptions
- 4. Tap Criterion Channel in the list
- 5. Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm
Cancel via Android
- 1. Open the Google Play Store app
- 2. Tap your profile icon (top right)
- 3. Tap Payments & subscriptions
- 4. Tap Subscriptions then Criterion Channel
- 5. Tap Cancel subscription and confirm
What Happens After You Cancel Criterion Channel?
Your access continues until the billing period ends
Criterion Channel will not cut you off immediately. You can keep watching art-house cinema until your current billing cycle ends. Make the most of it -- there are thousands of films waiting.
You can resubscribe anytime
Cinema never dies. You can resubscribe to Criterion Channel whenever the urge for a Fellini marathon hits. Just sign back in and reactivate your subscription.
No refunds for partial months
Criterion Channel does not issue prorated refunds. Whether you cancel on day 1 or day 29, you have paid for the full period and will not get money back.
Your curated lists and history are saved
Your watchlist, viewing history, and any curated collections you have built are saved for a period. If you come back, they should still be waiting for you.
Alternatives to Criterion Channel
If you are leaving Criterion but still want access to quality cinema, here are some options:
MUBI
$14.99/mo for hand-picked art-house, independent, and international cinema. Curated new films every day.
Curated art-house filmsKanopy
Free with a library card. Great selection of classic, indie, and documentary films.
Free with library cardTubi
Free (ad-supported) with a surprising number of classic and cult films in its library.
Completely freeFrequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel Criterion Channel?
No. Criterion Channel does not issue refunds for partial billing periods. Your access continues until the end of the current cycle you have already paid for.
Does Criterion Channel have an annual plan?
Yes. Criterion Channel offers an annual plan at $109.99/year, which works out to about $9.17/mo. If you cancel an annual plan, your access continues until the end of the annual period.
Can I download films from Criterion Channel?
Yes. The Criterion Channel mobile app allows you to download films and shorts for offline viewing. Downloaded content becomes unavailable once your subscription ends.
Is Criterion Channel the same as the Criterion Collection?
They are related but different. The Criterion Collection sells physical Blu-ray and DVD editions. The Criterion Channel is their streaming service. Canceling your streaming subscription does not affect any physical purchases.
Does Criterion Channel rotate its library?
Yes. Criterion Channel regularly adds and removes films from its streaming library. If there is a specific film you want to watch, check if it is still available before canceling -- it may leave the service.
Track Criterion Channel & All Your
Subscriptions in One App
Subcut reminds you before charges hit, tracks every billing date, and gives you one-tap access to cancellation guides. No bank connection needed.
Download Subcut FreeThat $10.99/mo Criterion Channel charge deserves as much attention as a Tarkovsky film. Subcut keeps you aware.