The Criterion Assortment introduced Thursday a sturdy February 2026 slate headlined by new 4K editions of Sidney Lumet’s “Community” (1976) and Joel and Ethan Coen’s “The Man Who Wasn’t There” (2001).
The month additionally brings the Blu-ray debut of John Cassavetes’ “A Lady Below the Affect” (1974), a four-film Ernst Lubitsch Pre-Code musical cycle and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “Cloud” (2024), arriving contemporary from its theatrical run.
The releases start Feb. 3 with Delmer Daves’ “3:10 to Yuma” (1957) in a 4K UHD and Blu-ray combo version. The psychological western, starring Van Heflin and Glenn Ford, incorporates a new 4K digital restoration with Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR, archival interviews and an essay by Kent Jones.
Jacques Tati’s “PlayTime” (1967) follows Feb. 10, newly restored in 4K with a number of commentaries, documentaries and uncommon archival supplies, together with a 1967 tv program shot on the movie’s “Tativille” set.
Cassavetes’ “A Lady Below the Affect,” starring Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk, additionally arrives Feb. 10 in excessive definition with commentary tracks, archival interviews and a stills gallery.
On Feb. 17, Criterion releases “Eclipse Collection 8: Lubitsch Musicals,” a four-film set — “The Love Parade,” “Monte Carlo,” “The Smiling Lieutenant” and “One Hour with You” — showcasing Lubitsch’s pioneering early-sound-era work.
“Community” dominated the 1977 Oscars with 10 nominations and 4 wins, together with a posthumous finest actor for Peter Finch, finest actress for Faye Dunaway, supporting actress for Beatrice Straight, together with unique screenplay for Paddy Chayefsky. “A Lady Below the Affect” earned two nominations on the 1975 ceremony — finest actress for Rowlands and finest director for Cassavetes. “The Man Who Wasn’t There” acquired a finest cinematography nod for Roger Deakins on the 2002 ceremony.
On Feb. 17, Criterion releases “Eclipse Collection 8: Lubitsch Musicals,” a four-film set — “The Love Parade” (1929), “Monte Carlo” (1930), “The Smiling Lieutenant” (1931) and “One Hour with You” (1932) — showcasing Lubitsch’s pioneering early-sound-era work.
Kurosawa’s “Cloud” joins the gathering the identical day on Blu-ray and DVD with a Criterion Channel interview and notes by critic Sean Gilman.
Lumet’s “Community” and the Coen brothers’ “The Man Who Wasn’t There” shut the month Feb. 24 with director-approved restorations, in depth documentaries and newly produced filmmaker conversations. Each titles will probably be out there in 4K UHD and Blu-ray combo editions and as standalone Blu-rays.
For collectors who thought bodily media was useless, Criterion proves there’s nonetheless loads of life within the format.
