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Criterion Launches 30-Disc The Complete Kubrick Set, Featuring All 13 Feature Films and 3 Shorts in 4K UHD
On June 22, the Criterion Collection announced a definitive celebration of Stanley Kubrick that will arrive on October 20, 2026: a 30‑disc anthology that puts the director’s entire filmography on the shelf in spectacular 4K Ultra‑HD.
The collection, titled The Complete Kubrick, will contain every feature the filmmaker crafted—from 1952’s Fear and Desire to 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut—alongside three short documentaries: Day of the Fight, Flying Padre, and The Seafarers. All 13 feature titles are presented in 4K, with the set including both 4K UHD discs and standard Blu‑ray discs. The international cut of The Shining—long coveted by collectors for its extended scenes and alternate ending—will also be featured.
Bonus material is expansive. Viewers will gain access to the original screen tests of James Mason and Sue Lyon for Lolita, a 4K restoration of Vivian Kubrick’s documentary Making "The Shining", and newly recorded commentary tracks. Lee Unkrich, who edited the book Stanley Kubrick’s "The Shining", provides commentary on that film, while 2001: A Space Odyssey includes a track by author Michael Benson. The set also incorporates John Whitney’s graphic and computer‑animation films that inspired the visual effects of 2001.
Criterion said it will add further Kubrick‑related merchandise in the future, signaling a long‑term strategy to broaden the brand’s offerings.
Previous Criterion releases of Kubrick titles—Paths of Glory, Barry Lyndon, and Eyes Wide Shut—were met with enthusiasm from collectors and critics alike. Those releases set a high bar for technical quality, and the new set will match that standard with the same level of restoration work that the company is known for.
The 30‑disc set mixes 4K UHD and Blu‑ray discs. According to the Criterion website, the 4K discs use Dolby Vision HDR to preserve the original image quality, while the Blu‑ray discs carry the same restored picture and sound. The set’s packaging will include a new booklet with essays and historical context for each film.
Releasing the collection on October 20, 2026 places it in the same month as the anniversary of 2001: A Space Odyssey’s original theatrical release, a timing that may appeal to fans of the film’s legacy.
Criterion’s announcement follows a two‑year development period that involved sourcing and restoring the original film elements from Kubrick’s archives. The company confirmed that many previously unseen materials—such as out‑takes, production notes, and early drafts—are included in the set.
The set’s comprehensive nature means it will serve as a definitive reference for scholars, students, and enthusiasts. By including the international cut of The Shining and the short documentaries, the collection offers a fuller picture of Kubrick’s early career and his evolution as a filmmaker.
The Criterion Collection has long been a leader in film preservation and restoration. Its releases are distributed in the United States by Alliance Entertainment and in the United Kingdom by Spirit Entertainment. The company’s focus on high‑quality packaging and scholarly content has made its releases a benchmark for the home‑video market.
In summary, The Complete Kubrick will provide a 4K UHD, 30‑disc anthology of the director’s entire feature and short filmography, enriched with restored documentaries, screen tests, commentary tracks, and archival materials. The set’s release on October 20, 2026, positions it as a major addition to the Criterion catalog and a valuable resource for anyone interested in Kubrick’s work.
The collection’s launch is expected to generate renewed interest in Kubrick’s films, potentially influencing streaming platforms and physical‑media retailers to re‑evaluate their own licensing and restoration strategies for classic cinema.
The collection, titled The Complete Kubrick, will contain every feature the filmmaker crafted—from 1952’s Fear and Desire to 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut—alongside three short documentaries: Day of the Fight, Flying Padre, and The Seafarers. All 13 feature titles are presented in 4K, with the set including both 4K UHD discs and standard Blu‑ray discs. The international cut of The Shining—long coveted by collectors for its extended scenes and alternate ending—will also be featured.
Bonus material is expansive. Viewers will gain access to the original screen tests of James Mason and Sue Lyon for Lolita, a 4K restoration of Vivian Kubrick’s documentary Making "The Shining", and newly recorded commentary tracks. Lee Unkrich, who edited the book Stanley Kubrick’s "The Shining", provides commentary on that film, while 2001: A Space Odyssey includes a track by author Michael Benson. The set also incorporates John Whitney’s graphic and computer‑animation films that inspired the visual effects of 2001.
Criterion said it will add further Kubrick‑related merchandise in the future, signaling a long‑term strategy to broaden the brand’s offerings.
Previous Criterion releases of Kubrick titles—Paths of Glory, Barry Lyndon, and Eyes Wide Shut—were met with enthusiasm from collectors and critics alike. Those releases set a high bar for technical quality, and the new set will match that standard with the same level of restoration work that the company is known for.
The 30‑disc set mixes 4K UHD and Blu‑ray discs. According to the Criterion website, the 4K discs use Dolby Vision HDR to preserve the original image quality, while the Blu‑ray discs carry the same restored picture and sound. The set’s packaging will include a new booklet with essays and historical context for each film.
Releasing the collection on October 20, 2026 places it in the same month as the anniversary of 2001: A Space Odyssey’s original theatrical release, a timing that may appeal to fans of the film’s legacy.
Criterion’s announcement follows a two‑year development period that involved sourcing and restoring the original film elements from Kubrick’s archives. The company confirmed that many previously unseen materials—such as out‑takes, production notes, and early drafts—are included in the set.
The set’s comprehensive nature means it will serve as a definitive reference for scholars, students, and enthusiasts. By including the international cut of The Shining and the short documentaries, the collection offers a fuller picture of Kubrick’s early career and his evolution as a filmmaker.
The Criterion Collection has long been a leader in film preservation and restoration. Its releases are distributed in the United States by Alliance Entertainment and in the United Kingdom by Spirit Entertainment. The company’s focus on high‑quality packaging and scholarly content has made its releases a benchmark for the home‑video market.
In summary, The Complete Kubrick will provide a 4K UHD, 30‑disc anthology of the director’s entire feature and short filmography, enriched with restored documentaries, screen tests, commentary tracks, and archival materials. The set’s release on October 20, 2026, positions it as a major addition to the Criterion catalog and a valuable resource for anyone interested in Kubrick’s work.
The collection’s launch is expected to generate renewed interest in Kubrick’s films, potentially influencing streaming platforms and physical‑media retailers to re‑evaluate their own licensing and restoration strategies for classic cinema.
