A substantial June roll-out from the Criterion Collection pairs new 4K restorations of John Waters with major international restorations and Eclipse Series rediscoveries
The Criterion Collection arrives in June with one of its most packed schedules in recent memory, rolling out a mix of upgrades, director-approved restorations and curated box sets. Across the month the label issues 4K upgrades, fresh Blu-ray editions and a revived entry in the Eclipse Series, yielding eleven separate titles spread over nine releases. Collectors and cinephiles can expect a blend of American cult staples, contemporary festival winners and ambitious international works from established auteurs.
Highlights include two newly restored John Waters films, a Palme-winning modern title from Jafar Panahi and a landmark anti-colonial epic from Med Hondo, alongside canonical American revamps and an Eclipse revival that centers on Spanish dance cinema. Several items arrive with newly produced extras: interviews, conversations and archival materials that expand context. The schedule also prints explicit release dates, giving viewers a clear map of when to add each edition to their carts and watch lists.
On June 23 the Collection releases two 4K restorations of John Waters’ films: Hairspray and Desperate Living, both restored with the director’s input. These editions promise new bonus features featuring Waters and key cast members, aiming to present the films with improved image fidelity and contextual supplements. Later in the month, on June 30, Jafar Panahi’s award-winning film It Was Just an Accident arrives on 4K UHD, with a package that includes a recorded conversation between Panahi and filmmaker Ramin Bahrani and coverage of the Cannes press conference; the edition was approved by Panahi himself and foregrounds the film’s festival reception and political stakes, including its recognition with the Palme d’Or.
Early June begins with two American classics receiving attention: on June 2, both Five Easy Pieces and Charade will be issued in higher-resolution editions. These upgrades target viewers who want sharper transfers of studio-era filmmaking and landmark performances. Mid-month, on June 16, Lisa Cholodenko’s debut High Art receives a new restoration supervised by the director, complemented by updated interviews with Ally Sheedy, Radha Mitchell and on-set photographer Jojo Whilden as well as a director-to-director conversation with Karyn Kusama. The packaging for these releases leans into archival material while offering new critical perspectives for modern audiences.
Also on June 23 Criterion brings Lav Diaz’s Magellan to its Editions line, an epic contemporary work that has attracted significant critical discussion. This addition highlights Criterion’s ongoing investment in presenting demanding, long-form cinema with the textual and supplemental apparatus that allows viewers to approach complex narratives and historical critique. The release underscores the label’s engagement with films that tackle colonial histories and national memory while offering viewers high-quality transfers and contextual essays that illuminate directorial intent and production histories.
June’s calendar extends beyond American cinema. On June 9 the label releases Med Hondo’s sprawling musical-epic West Indies: The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty, a daring film that stages colonial history aboard a transatlantic setting, blending song, critique and historical reappraisal. Then, on June 30, Criterion revives the Eclipse Series with Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Trilogy—three performance-driven films that foreground dance, music and Spanish cultural motifs. These boxed editions offer a curated approach: the Eclipse Series historically focuses on accessible, director-focused collections, and this renewal seeks to place Saura’s work back into circulation for new viewers and scholars alike.
Across the June slate, Criterion pairs audiovisual restorations with new interviews and archival features, aiming to give each release both clarity and context. Expect conversations with filmmakers and cast, newly unearthed production stills, and essays that frame each film’s cultural afterlife. Collectors will note that some titles receive newly commissioned cover art, while others emphasize restored image and sound quality. For those building a shelf or a digital wish list, the month represents a rare concentration of both mainstream upgrades and ambitious international restorations.
This June’s rollout by the Criterion Collection is notable for its breadth: from John Waters’ cult provocations to Jafar Panahi’s internationally lauded drama, Lav Diaz’s contemporary epic and Med Hondo’s anti-colonial musical, the lineup spans eras and geographies. Whether you are drawn to the technical polish of a new 4K transfer, the archival depth of director-approved extras, or the curated framing of an Eclipse Series box, the releases offer multiple entry points for viewers who want both entertainment and film-historical substance.