How To Watch Criterion Channel in Australia in 2023

Criterion-Channel-In-AU

Technically, Criterion Channel is inaccessible in Australia due to the geo-restrictions policies. Thus, you’ll need a VPN to access the service in Australia. We recommend using ExpressVPN; The best VPN to watch Criterion Channel while in Australia. For this purpose, you must learn how to watch Criterion Channel in Australia via a VPN.

The Criterion Channel is a holy grail streaming network offering a rich mix of classic and contemporary films, Hollywood, and international films from several distributors. The channel houses movies such as Let the Right One In, Dracula, and Vampire’s Kiss.

Is Criterion Channel available in Australia? Unfortunately, Criterion Channel is not available in Australia and is only available in the US and Canada; you cannot stream its content from anywhere besides these two locations. While this may seem like a big challenge, it really isn’t because of the existence of VPNs.

A VPN helps you break through this geo-restriction so you can access your favorite movies even while you’re away on vacation in Australia. So, here is a quick guide, by following its simple steps you can easily watch Criterion in Australia.

How to Watch Criterion Channel in Australia [Quick Guide]

Wondering how to watch Criterion Channel in Australia? We got you! Follow these steps to learn how:

  1. To begin, select a reliable VPN and subscribe to the service. We recommend ExpressVPN as it’s a great option.
  2. Get the VPN app on your device by downloading and installing it.
  3. Launch the VPN and connect to a US server. The New York server is highly recommended.
  4. Once connected, proceed to the Criterion Channel US website and stream away! You will need to log into your account or sign up for one if you don’t have one yet.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Criterion Channel in Australia

Criterion Channel is only available in the US and Canada because those are the only two countries which it has obtained broadcasting rights from. Hence, if you’re not physically within the US or Canada, you wouldn’t be able to watch the Criterion Channel.

You’ll be faced with a roadblock whenever you attempt to stream a movie or show on Criterion Channel. You’ll come across an error message that says:

Request Access

“Sorry. This is currently unavailable in your region. Type in your email below to tell the producers you want it in your country!”

criterion-channel-geo-restriction-error

Nevertheless, you can get past this roadblock if you leverage a VPN. A VPN comes in handy in situations like this because it has the ability to fool Criterion Channel into thinking that you’re in US or Canada when you’re actually not.

The way it works is simple. You get a strong and reliable VPN and connect to a US server. Once connected, your IP address signaling your current location is replaced with a US IP address, thus giving the disguise that will make Criterion Channel believe you’re in the US.

With this disguise, you can freely watch any movie or show on Criterion Channel in Australia. It’s that simple. You need a strong VPN with a US server, and you’re good to go!

How Much Does the Criterion Channel Cost?

The Criterion Channel doesn’t cost much. You can get a Criterion Channel subscription for AUD 17.03 or $10.99/month. Meanwhile, a yearly subscription goes for AUD 154.95 or $99.99.

There is a 14-day free trial that comes with the subscription. So you can actually have a feel of the service for two weeks to decide if you’re willing to proceed with your subscription or not.

The Best VPNs to Get Criterion Channel in Australia?

To decide which VPNs are perfect for watching Criterion Channel in Australia, we tested over 20 VPNs. Judging them based on their server network, connection speed, unblocking capacity, and security strength, we concluded that these 3 are the best VPNs to get Criterion channel in Australia:

ExpressVPN: Recommended VPN to Access Criterion Channel in Australia

Touted as one of the fastest VPNs available, ExpressVPN is the best choice overall for watching Criterion Channel in Australia. Its blazing speed makes it easy to watch your favorite movies on Criterion Channel in Australia. When tested, it averaged a connection speed that surpassed 92.26 Mbps.

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Unblock Criterion Channel Australia with ExpressVPN!

ExpressVPN provided a download speed of 92.26 Mbps and an upload speed of 89.45 Mbps on a connection that was 100 Mbps. We also unblocked another streaming service, ViuTV in Australia and got zero buffering.

express-vpn-speed-test

ExpressVPN’s fast speed unblocked Criterion Channel with ease.

ExpressVPN offers a server network of over 3000+ servers across 94+ countries, including the 25 US locations. To watch Criterion Channel in Australia, we recommend using the New York server, as it unblocks the channel in a matter of a few minutes.

Recommended servers: New York, Chicago, Dallas

The Mediatstreamer feature available on ExpressVPN makes it possible to stream Criterion Channel in Australia on devices that ordinarily do not support VPNs. It also enables you to stream Criterion Channel seamlessly.

ExpressVPN has a great unblocking capacity that allows it to unblock other streaming services, allowing you to access Disney Plus, Canadian TV and American Amazon Prime in Australia, etc. So, while you’re in Australia, you can watch movies and shows from various streaming sites without having to bother about geo-blocks.

You’re allowed up to 5 simultaneous connections when you use ExpressVPN. This implies that you can be connected to ExpressVPN on both home and work devices at the same time.

To protect you from internet-related risks such as malware, trackers, and even unwanted ads, ExpressVPN combines essential security features into its system. These features include AES 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, a kill switch, a no-log policy, and trusted server technology.

ExpressVPN’s subscription goes for AU$ 9.97 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save 49% and get 3 extra months FREE with 12-month plan. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can get a refund if unsatisfied with the service within the first 30 days of subscribing. The Atlanta server is not recommended due to the slow speed.

When faced with a technical issue, you can explore the 24/7 customer support service offered by ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN is compatible with devices running on popular operating systems such as Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux. It’s also compatible with smart TVs and gaming consoles, including Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Firestick, Roku, PS4, Xbox One, etc.

Watch Criterion Channel in Australia with ExpressVPNRisk-free 30 days money-back guarantee

Surfshark: Budget-Friendly VPN to Get Criterion Channel in Australia

Surfshark is the pocket-friendly VPN to watch Criterion Channel in Australia. Due to its relatively low subscription fee, Surfshark is your best bet for getting a great VPN that doesn’t require you to reach deep into your pockets. For as low AU$ 3.44 /mo (US$ 2.30 /mo ) - 82% Off on 2 Years Plan, you can enjoy Surfshark’s exceptional features.

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Unblock Criterion streaming Australia with Surfshark!

Even with this low price, Surfshark still offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Hence, if peradventure you have second thoughts about the VPN, you can always request a refund.

Surfshark offers an extremely fast download speed (88.48 Mbps), and its upload speed is 79.42 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. At this speed, you can easily unblock Pandora and Prende TV in Australia without any hassle.

surfshark-speed-test

Surfshark’s fast speed unblocked Criterion Channel with ease.

Surfshark offers 3200+ servers across 65+ countries ; this includes the USA. As a matter of fact, there are 600+ dedicated to the US alone. Therefore, you can choose from various US servers to enjoy streaming awesome movies and shows on Criterion Channel in Australia.

Recommended servers: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles

Its widespread US servers also make it possible to get other geo-restricted US streaming platforms when you’re away from the country. In essence, Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock TV in Australia, can be unblocked using Surfshark.

Unlike ExpressVPN, Surfshark lets you have as many simultaneous connections as you wish. There are no restrictions as it makes provision for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

This is great news for those who like to share their subscription with friends and family because with this feature; you can share your Surfshark with several loved ones.

Surfshark is not lacking in the area of VPN security. It has AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, a no-log policy, CleanWeb, and DNS leak protection. With all these, Sufshark guarantees your protection from ads, trackers, and malware as you watch Criterion Channel in Australia.

If you ever have any complaints about the service, you can communicate with Surfshark’s support staff, as it offers a 24/7 customer support service accessible via live chat or email.

Devices compatible with Surfshark include Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux. Also, it works fine on smart TVs and gaming consoles. The Atlanta server is not recommended due to the slow speed.

Watch Criterion Channel in Australia with SurfsharkRisk-free 30 days money-back guarantee

NordVPN: Largest Server Network VPN to Watch Criterion Channel in Australia

Due to an extensive server network, NordVPN is the top choice to watch Criterion Channel in Australia. NordVPN offers a whopping amount of 5543+ servers spread across 94+ countries. It has 1970+ US servers; otherwise, it wouldn’t make it to this list.

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Unblock Criterion Channel with NordVPN!

NordVPN offers a fast download speed of 86.49 Mbps and a relatively high upload speed of 79.42 Mbps over a 100 Mbps connection.

nordvpn-speedtest

On a 100 Mbps connection, NordVPN offered super-fast speed.

Recommended servers: #8211, #8717, #9439

NordVPN’s large server network and superfast speed (it’s arguably one of the fastest VPNs available) create an opportunity for you to enjoy watching other US streaming platforms in Australia. It can unblock popular streaming services like you can watch Starz Play, unblock YouTube TV, and HBO Max in Australia.

With one NordVPN subscription, you can secure up to 6 devices simultaneously. This means that you can connect 6 different devices to your NordVPN account all at the same time. Basically, you get to enjoy watching Criterion Channel in Australia at home and during your lunch break at work.

There’s no concern about your online safety when you use NordVPN to watch your favorite Criterion Channel TV series because the VPN has all the safety measures to protect you. NordVPN has features such as AES 256-bit encryption, DNS/IP leak protection, a kill switch, a no-log policy, and obfuscation technology.

NordVPN’s subscription goes for AU$ 5.22 /mo (US$ 3.49 /mo ) - Save 60% on 2 Years Deal. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support service. The #8055 server is not recommended due to the slow speed.

It’s compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. At the same time, it works fine on smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Watch Criterion Channel in Australia with NordVPNRisk-free 30 days money-back guarantee

How to Choose the Best VPN for Criterion Channel in Australia

Choosing the best VPN for Criterion Channel in Australia may be a hassle if you don’t know what you should be looking out for. It’s best to go for a VPN with a good spread of these features. For example, you shouldn’t compromise safety measures for connection speed.

Below are some of the indispensable requirements for a VPN to be considered best for unblocking Criterion Channel in Australia.

  1. Availability of US servers: This is a no-brainer. For a VPN to be able to bypass Criterion Channel’s geo-restrictions, it must have at least one US server. We recommend you go for a VPN that has multiple US servers so you can have options to choose from.
  2. Speed: VPNs with superfast speed should be your go-to. Fast connection speed enhances the quality of your stream. You get to watch movies and shows on the channel without serious disruptions caused by lags or buffers.
  3. Unblocking capacity: Your preferred VPN should be capable of unblocking streaming services apart from Criterion Channel.
  4. Compatibility: To watch Criterion Channel on both mobile and desktop devices, you should choose a VPN compatible with these devices. Also, ensure that it works fine with smart TVs and gaming consoles.
  5. Fair pricing: You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy watching your favorite series on Criterion Channel. You’re already spending on the channel’s subscription, so it’s best to choose a VPN that doesn’t demand too much from you financially.

How to Watch Criterion Channel in Australia on your Device

You can watch Criterion Channel on the following devices:

Android phones and tablets Nintendo
iPhone/iPad LG TV
Web browsers VIZIO SmartCast TV
Roku Fire TV and Firestick

How to Watch Criterion Channel on my iPhone

Looking for answers to, “How can I watch Criterion Channel shows on my iPhone?” Read on to find out:

  1. Subscribe to a reliable VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN.
  2. Get the VPN app on your iPhone.
  3. Launch and connect to a US server. We recommend the New York server.
  4. Go to the Apple Store and change your region to the US.
  5. Search for the Criterion Channel app, download it, and install it.
  6. Sign in with your Criterion Channel login details to watch Criterion Channel on your iPhone.

How to Watch Criterion Channel on my Android

You may wonder, “How can I watch Criterion Channel on Smart TV?” The answer is in the following steps:

  1. Subscribe to a premium VPN. ExpressVPN is highly recommended.
  2. Get the VPN app on your Android.
  3. Open and connect to a US server. We recommend the New York server.
  4. Proceed to the Google Playstore to download the Criterion Channel app.
  5. Sign in to have access to your favorite shows on Criterion Channel.

How to Watch Criterion Channel on Roku

Follow these steps to answer the question, “How can I watch Criterion Channel on my Roku?”

  1. Subscribe to a VPN, preferably ExpressVPN.
  2. Configure the VPN on your Roku router and connect to a US server. We recommend the New York server.
  3. Ensure the region of your Roku account is set to the US.
  4. Go to the app store on the Roku menu and search for the Criterion Channel.
  5. Select “Add to Homescreen” to install the app on your Roku.
  6. Once installed, sign in with your credentials and enjoy watching your favorite Criterion Channel TV series on Roku.

How to Stream Criterion Channel on Firestick?

“Does Firestick have Criterion Channel?” Yes, you can get Criterion Channel on Firestick using the following steps:

  1. Configure your Firestick to connect to ExpressVPN.
  2. Connect to a US server. We recommend the New York server.
  3. Visit the app store on your Firestick, search for the Criterion Channel, and select “Download” to install.
  4. Once installed, sign in with your credentials.
  5. Enjoy streaming Criterion Channel in Australia on your Firestick.

What to Watch on Criterion Channel in Australia in 2023

Criterion Channel houses a library of carefully selected classics and contemporary movies from around the world. With over a thousand movies in its collection, Criterion Channel is the perfect stop for cinephiles and movie lovers who are seeking to explore intriguing movies.

You can also watch Hollywood movies and other internationally recognized titles.

What are the Best Shows on Criterion Channel in 2023

The best shows on the Criterion channel in 2023 are:

World on a Wire Berlin Alexanderplatz
Carlos Fanny and Alexander
Tanner ‘88 Scenes From a Marriage
Fishing with John

What Movies are on Criterion Channel in 2023

The best movies on Criterion Channel in 2023 are:

The Bedroom Window Things to Come
Touch of Evil Abuse of Weakness
Heavens Gate Loving Highsmith
Boy and The World Take And Run

FAQs: Criterion Channel in Australia

All you need to do is subscribe to a reliable VPN and connect to a US server, preferably the New York server. Once that is done, you can proceed to the Criterion Channel website or get the Criterion Channel app on your device to stream your favorite movies and series.


Yes, it’s legal to watch Criterion Channel in Australia as there are no laws that prohibit it. However, it may go against the channel’s terms of service.


Yes, but we don’t recommend using it. Some free VPNs might be able to unblock Criterion Channel in Australia, but we recommend using a paid VPN as they are more effective and secure. We discourage using a free VPN for Criterion Channel.


No, Criterion Channel is not offered by Amazon Prime. However, if you’ve Amazon Fire TV, you can watch Criterion TV shows instantly.


Yes, because Criterion Channel is only available in the US. To watch the channel in Australia, you’d need to use a VPN to bypass its geo-restriction.

Wrapping Up!

By offering mostly classics and contemporary films, Criterion Channel distinguishes itself from the regular streaming services in the US. Unfortunately, you can’t watch the Criterion channel in Australia.

However, with the help of a VPN like ExpressVPN, watching Criterion Channel in Australia becomes a walk in the park.

Jane Davies

Jane Davies

An entertainment enthusiast located in Austin. She is a tech geek, movie fan, and a dedicated binge-watcher. She is someone who enjoys keeping up with the current events and entertainment gossips.


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