The Criterion Collection has revealed its September 2025 slate, highlighted by the Wes Anderson ten film Criterion Collection box set, alongside a range of acclaimed films. The collection will arrive on physical media and features classic works by revered directors and star-studded casts, offering cinephiles curated showcases rich in film history and artistry.
Criterion Collection Announces Major September Releases
Set for release this September, The Criterion Collection’s upcoming titles span genres and decades, including a robust box set featuring ten of Wes Anderson’s films. Along with Anderson’s famed cinema, the lineup includes Akira Kurosawa’s influential drama “High & Low,” Rob Reiner’s cult mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap,” Lizzie Borden’s provocative “Born In Flames,” Oscar-winning animated feature “Flow,” and two French thrillers from Jacques Audiard:
“The Beat That My Heart Skipped”
and “Read My Lips.”
Cinephiles and collectors can look forward to new 4K restorations, special features, and limited-edition supplements, all aiming to honor both contemporary and classic filmmaking. These physical editions arrive amid a resurgence of interest in high-quality home media, promising rich viewing experiences for fans and newcomers alike.
High & Low Brings Kurosawa’s Classic Crime Drama
Scheduled for a September 9 release, Akira Kurosawa’s “High & Low” remains a landmark in Japanese cinema, starring Toshiro Mifune as the wealthy industrialist Kingo Gondo. Drawing inspiration from Ed McBain’s detective story, the film weaves a tense race-against-time with social commentary, tackling themes of class and justice in postwar Japan. Kurosawa’s narrative craftsmanship and Mifune’s commanding performance have made the film a touchstone for both domestic drama and police procedural genres, continuing to influence filmmakers globally.
Born In Flames Delivers a Radical Vision
Lizzie Borden’s “Born In Flames,” set for release on September 16, offers a ground-breaking feminist critique within a fictionalized post-revolution America. This DIY film immerses viewers in a future that promised utopia but retained its underlying social struggles. The story centers on Black, lesbian, and working-class women leading resistance against persistent inequality, captured through dynamic news reports and guerrilla filmmaking across New York City. “Born In Flames” stands as both a pioneering political film and a hallmark of activist cinema, noted for its candid energy and blend of documentary style with dramatic storytelling.
This Is Spinal Tap Restored for a New Generation
Rob Reiner’s “This Is Spinal Tap,” celebrated for its satirical dissection of rock culture, returns freshly restored on September 16. The mockumentary chronicles England’s famously “loudest” band—Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)—on their chaotic American tour, with Marty DiBergi (Reiner) behind the camera. Through mishaps and misadventures, the film established a template for comedic documentaries and cemented its legacy in popular culture.
Oscar-Winning Flow Highlights Indie Animation
Slated for release on September 23, “Flow” has been recognized for pushing the boundaries of independent animation. Crafted by visionary animator Gints Zilbalodis, the movie follows a determined cat whose home is destroyed by a catastrophic flood. Joined by a capybara, lemur, bird, and dog, the group navigates a newly aquatic world, facing environmental dangers and learning to survive together. Developed by a small team using open-source tools, “Flow” is both a celebration of animation as an art form and a poignant meditation on environmental fragility and community resilience. The film’s recent Academy Award win signals its critical impact and broad appeal.
Jacques Audiard’s French Thrillers Reimagined for Collection Release
Two films from acclaimed director Jacques Audiard arrive on September 23, each exploring the complexities of crime and human connection.
“The Beat That My Heart Skipped”
offers a gritty character study, with Romain Duris playing a real-estate broker caught between criminal pressure from his father, Niels Arestrup, and his passion for music. The film, a reinterpretation of the cult favorite “Fingers,” received eight César Awards, including Best Film, lauded for its tense storytelling and nuanced performances.
“The Beat That My Heart Skipped.”
—Unattributed
“Read My Lips,” Audiard’s earlier thriller, centers on Carla (Emmanuelle Devos), a hard-of-hearing office worker who forms a risky alliance with Paul (Vincent Cassel), an ex-convict. Using her lip-reading abilities in a criminal scheme, Carla is drawn into a world of intrigue and danger. Audiard’s visceral direction and sound design pull viewers into the characters’ turbulent journey, setting this noir apart with emotional depth and originality. Devos’s award-winning performance adds further resonance to the film’s exploration of isolation and desire.
Wes Anderson Archive Showcases 25 Years of Filmmaking
At the heart of this month’s announcements is the
“Wes Anderson Archive: Ten Films, Twenty-Five Years,”
set to become a centerpiece for collectors beginning September 30. Spanning a quarter-century, this collection encapsulates Anderson’s unique storytelling, whimsical characters, and meticulously crafted worlds. The box set features new 4K restorations, over twenty-five hours of supplemental material, and ten illustrated books, all housed in an elegant clothbound case. This extensive archive will allow fans to revisit signature works and discover new details, tracing Anderson’s evolution as a director and cultural figure.
The French Dispatch and Isle of Dogs Deepen Anderson’s Lineup
Also premiering on September 30 are two standout Wes Anderson films:
“The French Dispatch of the Liberty Kansas Evening Sun”
and “Isle of Dogs.” “The French Dispatch,” Anderson’s tenth feature, pays tribute to journalists and expatriates through an anthology format. Set in the fictional city of Ennui-sur-Blasé, France, the film features Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Léa Seydoux, Owen Wilson, and Jeffrey Wright, weaving together stories of artists, revolutionaries, and kidnappers with Anderson’s signature blend of theatrical devices and stylized animation.
“Isle of Dogs” transports audiences to a dystopian Japan, where a canine flu outbreak forces the exile of dogs to a remote garbage island. The story follows Atari, a young ward of the city’s mayor, as he attempts to find his lost dog Spots, joined by a group of mongrel companions. Anderson’s inventive approach combines English and Japanese dialogue, with a diverse voice cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Yoko Ono, and Koyu Rankin. The film celebrates friendship and rebellion, wrapped in vibrant animation that appeals to audiences of all ages.
Significance and Anticipated Impact of the Criterion Collection Releases
The September 2025 lineup underscores The Criterion Collection’s commitment to cinematic preservation and artistic recognition. By bringing together classics like Kurosawa’s “High & Low” and fresh works such as “Flow,” alongside the comprehensive Wes Anderson ten film Criterion Collection box set, the company affirms its role as a steward of film artistry. These releases serve both long-standing fans and a new generation of viewers, offering deeper appreciation for innovators like Wes Anderson, Akira Kurosawa, and Jacques Audiard.
As audiences seek enriched viewing experiences and collectors look to preserve film heritage, the high-quality editions from The Criterion Collection may set new standards in home media. The excitement around these titles reflects a growing desire for thoughtful curation and careful restoration, suggesting continued growth and relevance for physical media in a digital age. Expect robust interest from film enthusiasts, scholars, and newcomers eager to explore cinematic masterpieces in fresh and immersive formats.
