How To Watch Criterion Channel Outside Canada [2022 Updated]

Missing out on your favorite Criterion Channel shows while you’re away? In this guide, I’ll show you how to watch Criterion Channel outside Canada with the help of a premium VPN.

Birthed by The Criterion Collection, the Criterion Channel is a streaming service 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.

Criterion Channel 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 outside Canada.

So, here is a quick guide, by following its simple steps you can easily watch Criterion outside Canada.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Criterion Channel Outside Canada

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!”

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 or Canada server. Once connected, your IP address signaling your current location is replaced with a US or Canadian IP address, thus giving the disguise that will make Criterion Channel believe you’re in Canada or in the US.

With this disguise, you can freely watch any movie or show on Criterion Channel outside Canada. It’s that simple. You need a strong VPN with a US or Canada 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 CAD 14.82 or $10.99/month. Meanwhile, a yearly subscription goes for CAD 134.83 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 Outside Canada?

To decide which VPNs are perfect for watching Criterion Channel outside Canada, 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 outside Canada:

ExpressVPN: Recommended VPN to Access Criterion Channel Outside Canada

Touted as one of the fastest VPNs available, ExpressVPN holds gained the spotlight as the most recommended VPN for bypassing geo-restrictions and watching Criterion Channel outside Canada. Its blazing speed makes it easy to watch your favorite movies on Criterion Channel outside Canada. When tested, it averaged a connection speed that surpassed 92.26 Mbps.

Unblock Criterion Channel 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.

ExpressVPN’s fast speed unblocked Criterion Channel with ease.

ExpressVPN offers a server network of over 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, including the 25 US locations. To watch Criterion Channel outside Canada, we recommend using the New York server, as it unblocks the channel in a matter of a few minutes.

The Mediatstreamer feature available on ExpressVPN makes it possible to stream Criterion Channel outside Canada 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, American Amazon Prime Canada, etc. So, while you’re outside Canada, 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 CA$ 9.18 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. 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.

Surfshark: Budget-Friendly VPN to Get Criterion Channel Outside Canada

Surfshark is the pocket-friendly VPN to watch Criterion Channel outside Canada. 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 CA$ 3.43 /mo (US$ 2.49 /mo ) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee, you can enjoy Surfshark’s exceptional features.

Unblock Criterion Channel 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, Big Ten Network, and Shout Factory Outside Canada without any hassle.

Surfshark’s fast speed unblocked Criterion Channel with ease.

Surfshark offers 3200+ servers across 100+ countries; this includes the US. As a matter of fact, there are 600+ dedicated to the US alone. Therefore, you can choose from various US or Canadian servers to enjoy streaming awesome movies and shows on Criterion Channel outside Canada.

Its widespread US and Canada servers also make it possible to get other geo-restricted US and Canada streaming platforms when you’re away from the country. In essence, BNN Bloomberg, UnisTV, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock TV Canada, 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 outside Canada.

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.

NordVPN: Largest Server Network VPN to Watch Criterion Channel Outside Canada

Due to an extensive server network, NordVPN is the top choice to watch Criterion Channel outside Canada. NordVPN offers a whopping amount of 6000+ ultra-fast servers spread across 105 countries. It has 1970+ US servers; otherwise, it wouldn’t make it to this list.

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.

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

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 Canadian streaming platforms outside Canada. It can unblock popular streaming services like Starz Play, YouTube TV, and HBO Max in Canada.

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 outside Canada 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 CA$ 5.49 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend. 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.

How to Choose the Best VPN for Criterion Channel Outside Canada

Choosing the best VPN for Criterion Channel outside Canada 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 outside Canada.

1. Availability of 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 or Canada server. We recommend you go for a VPN that has multiple US or Canada 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 Outside Canada on your Device

You can watch Criterion Channel on the following devices:

What to Watch on Criterion Channel Outside Canada in 2022

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 2022

The best shows on the Criterion channel are:

What Movies are on Criterion Channel in 2022

The best movies on Criterion are:

FAQs: Criterion Channel Outside Canada

Wrapping Up!

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

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

Jane Davies

Meet Jane Davies, your friendly guide to all the cool stuff on Paramount Plus. She's got the inside scoop on the best shows, movies, and sports. Watching with Jane means getting the best picks, like having a friend who knows all about what to watch next. She loves hiking, snapping beautiful photos, and trying out new foods. Her adventures off-screen are just as fun as the ones on it. So, if you're looking for what to watch or just want to hear about cool experiences, Jane's got you covered. Let's dive into the fun world of streaming together!