The Criterion Collection's Complete Kubrick Is the Box Set Cinephiles Have Been Waiting For
For decades, Stanley Kubrick has occupied a singular position in the history of cinema — a visionary filmmaker whose obsessive perfectionism, thematic depth, and technical innovation redefined what movies could be. Now, the Criterion Collection has assembled the most comprehensive tribute to his work ever produced: a monumental 30-disc set titled The Complete Kubrick. Featuring 4K restorations of all thirteen of Kubrick's features and three of his short films, alongside a staggering amount of supplementary material, this is not just a box set. It is a film education unto itself.
What's Inside the 30-Disc Set
The sheer scope of the Criterion Complete Kubrick set is difficult to overstate. Criterion has long been the gold standard for prestige home video releases, and this collection represents perhaps the label's most ambitious project to date. Every disc has been carefully curated to honor Kubrick's legacy while giving modern audiences the best possible way to experience his films at home.
4K Restorations of All Thirteen Features and Three Shorts
At the heart of the set are 4K restorations of Kubrick's thirteen feature films, spanning his entire directorial career from his early noir efforts through to his final, haunting masterpiece. These restorations have been completed with their original soundtracks intact, preserving the audio exactly as Kubrick intended, alongside newly produced 5.1 surround sound mixes for those who want a more immersive listening experience. The three short films are equally treated with the same level of restoration care, making this the first time many viewers will be able to see these early works in such pristine quality.
The inclusion of both the original mono soundtracks and the 5.1 mixes is a thoughtful touch that reflects Criterion's deep respect for the source material. Purists can experience the films as they were heard in theaters upon original release, while those watching on modern home theater systems have a fully remastered option available to them.
Over Twenty-Five Hours of Supplementary Material
Beyond the films themselves, the Complete Kubrick set includes over twenty-five hours of interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes materials. This is an extraordinary amount of contextual content — enough to keep dedicated fans occupied for weeks. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Kubrick's work or a newcomer being introduced to his filmography for the first time, this supplementary material provides invaluable insight into his creative process, his relationship with collaborators, and the cultural impact of his films.
Special Highlights: The Shining and Vivian Kubrick's Documentary
Among the many compelling inclusions in this set, two stand out as particularly exciting for fans of The Shining — arguably Kubrick's most culturally pervasive film and a work that has inspired decades of analysis, obsession, and imitation.
Kubrick's International Version of The Shining
The set includes Kubrick's international cut of The Shining, which differs meaningfully from the version most American audiences know. Kubrick himself trimmed the film shortly after its US theatrical release, removing approximately twenty-four minutes of footage before the film opened internationally. This version has been difficult to access in high quality for many years, making its inclusion in a 4K restoration a landmark moment for fans and scholars alike.
A New 4K Restoration of Making "The Shining"
Equally exciting is the inclusion of a newly completed 4K restoration of Making "The Shining" — the behind-the-scenes documentary filmed by Vivian Kubrick, Stanley's daughter, during the production of the film in 1980. Originally broadcast on the BBC, this documentary offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the director's working methods on set, including his famously demanding approach to actors and his relentless pursuit of perfection in every shot. Vivian Kubrick's observational filmmaking captures her father in a way that no other document does, making this restoration a genuinely exciting addition to the archival record.
Newly Recorded Commentary Tracks from Leading Kubrick Scholars
Criterion has also commissioned newly recorded commentary tracks for select films, featuring two of the most prominent voices in contemporary Kubrick scholarship. Filmmaker Lee Unkrich, best known for his work at Pixar but equally celebrated as the editor of the book Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining", brings a filmmaker's perspective to his commentary. Meanwhile, author Michael Benson, whose book Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece is considered one of the definitive accounts of the production of 2001: A Space Odyssey, contributes commentary informed by years of deep research into Kubrick's methods and motivations.
These fresh commentary tracks are a meaningful addition that separates the Complete Kubrick set from earlier home video releases of these films. Rather than recycling archival audio, Criterion has invested in new scholarship that reflects the current state of Kubrick studies.
Why This Set Matters for Film Lovers
The Criterion Collection's Complete Kubrick is more than a collector's item — it is a statement about the importance of preserving and contextualizing cinema history. Kubrick's films, from Spartacus and Lolita to Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut, have shaped the language of modern filmmaking in ways that are still being felt today. Having all of them gathered in one place, restored to the highest available standard and accompanied by world-class supplementary material, gives audiences the tools to engage with this work at its fullest depth.
Whether you are revisiting films you have seen many times or discovering Kubrick's filmography for the first time, there has never been a better way to do it than through this set. The Criterion Complete Kubrick is, without question, one of the most important home video releases in recent memory — and an essential addition to any serious film collection.
- 30-disc set with 4K restorations of 13 features and 3 shorts
- Original soundtracks and new 5.1 mixes included for every film
- Over 25 hours of interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes content
- Kubrick's international cut of The Shining in 4K
- New 4K restoration of Vivian Kubrick's Making "The Shining"
- Newly recorded commentaries from Lee Unkrich and Michael Benson
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy — but spending time with this collection is the most rewarding kind of cinematic homework there is.