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Snobs, cinephiles, and collectors, rejoice, for Criterion has a permanent outlet in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Located in the Cinema Cellar in the heart of the Entertainment District, the new brick and mortar is mere steps from festival hubs like the TIFF Lightbox and Scotiabank Theatre. The selection greeting shoppers will consist of films from across the Criterion Collection, alongside picks from Kino Lorber and Arrow Video.
After the success of the Mobile Criterion Closet during TIFF 2025, with more than 1,000 visitors in the first weekend of the festival, including Ethan Hawke and Guillermo del Toro, the label has collaborated with Blue Fox Entertainment Canada on a long-term partnership to create a space for film lovers to connect with classic and celebrated works.
In a statement, Criterion said,
“Canada has always been an important part of Criterion’s community, and Cinema Cellar is our way of making that concrete–a meaningful and lasting place, not just a presence, and not just for the festival. TIFF is one of the great film moments in the world, and we wanted to show up in a way that reflects what Criterion is–a place to discover, to be transported, and to belong to something. We hope people find films they love here, and find each other.”
The store is located at 129 John St. in Toronto and opened on September 10, just in time for the festival.
