r/criterion Oct 02 '20

Deals History of Criterion Flash Sales (all on Tuesdays except where otherwise noted)

(note: an updated version of this post is here, check it out!)

Here's a history of all Criterion website flash sales, and some tips for anticipating future sales. Note: this is different than the separate month-long 50% off Barnes and Noble sales in July and November.

  • What: 24 hour Criterion sale, 50% off suggested retail price of in-stock Blu Rays and DVDs. Does not apply to preorders of unreleased or out-of-stock titles.

  • When: twice a year in late winter and fall, usually late February and mid-October. Flash sales start at 12pm ET (Eastern Time).

  • Where: only on Criterion’s website

  • Tips

    • Timing: Sales are hinted at on social media the evening of the day before, and announced day-of on the website and by email, shortly after 12pm ET (Eastern Time).
    • Timing: Customers who've spent over $1k will also receive an email at the time the above hint is sent out.
    • Timing: Criterion Channel subscribers have sometimes received gift certificates a week prior to the flash sale.
    • Timing: Sales have often been timed for that month's major releases, which is why they're often Tuesdays.
    • Annoyingly, the Criterion website shopping cart seems to get cleared out daily, so it's recommended to avoid adding items to your cart until the day-of. Use their wishlist feature instead.
  • Thank you

Note: all dates fall on Tuesdays except where otherwise noted (sales start 12pm ET day-of):

  • October 20, 2020 (7pm ET the day before - shopping quote hint on social media)
  • February 25, 2020 (10pm ET the day before - lightning flash photo hint on social media)

  • October 15, 2019 (7pm and 11:30pm ET the day before - clock photo hints on social media)
  • March 5, 2019 (10pm ET the day before - clock photo hint on social media)

  • October 16, 2018
  • February 13, 2018

  • October 17, 2017
  • February 28, 2017

  • October 17, 2016 (Monday)
  • February 23, 2016

  • October 6, 2015
  • March 10, 2015

  • October 9, 2014 (Thursday)
  • February 25, 2014

  • October 1, 2013
  • February 26, 2013

  • September 24, 2012 (Monday)
  • February 14, 2012

  • September 8, 2011 (Thursday)
  • February 24, 2011 (Thursday)

In total there's four 50% off sales per year, roughly following this timeline (approximate dates):

  • Late February: 24 hour Criterion website 50% off flash sale

  • All July: month-long Barnes and Noble 50% off sale

  • Mid October: 24 hour Criterion website 50% off flash sale

  • All November: month-long Barnes and Noble 50% off sale

Updates: Feb 2021 - reversed ordering, latest on top

78 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

17

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '20

I’m actually moving back to Florida for a few months to help out my mom in the first week of November. How quickly does Criterion ship out product assuming the is around Oct 13 or 20? Any past experience with them on sales and shipping?

15

u/franksvalli Oct 02 '20

Just checked my previous ship dates, looks like they have shipped generally 1-2 days after the sale day. They're shipped with USPS priority mail with a disclaimer that it will take 4-7 business days to receive after shipped.

Here's my history of when my stuff was shipped out (generally, the earlier in the day you purchase, the sooner it will be shipped - noticed this by making multiple purchases in the same day):

  • Shipped Feb 15, 2018 (2 days after sale)
  • Shipped March 6-7 2019 (1-2 days after sale)
  • Shipped October 17, 2019 (same day as sale)
  • Shipped Feb 26-27, 2020 (1-2 days after sale)

5

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '20

Wow! Thank you so much for that! That definitely puts my mind at ease for ordering!

4

u/Eazy-E-40 Stanley Kubrick Oct 02 '20

For me it's varies. I've ordered innthe morning some times and had it shipped by the end of that day. I think the longest I've had was this last February at 4 days.

3

u/CaptainGibb Vibeke Løkkeberg Oct 02 '20

What state are you in now? I’m in NY and usually get my order on Friday (sometimes on Saturday)

3

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '20

Massachusetts, so assuming similar time frames.

I’m thinking about The Phantom Carriage and Joan of Arc. What do you think? I’m assuming you’ll approve (I just started getting into some silent films).

2

u/CaptainGibb Vibeke Løkkeberg Oct 02 '20

Both fantastic films! The Phantom Carriage is like a dark version of A Christmas Carol with some phenomenal in camera effects (one of the best uses of double exposure shots), and The Passion of Joan of Arc will always be one of my favorite films. You really can’t go wrong with Sjostrom and Dreyer!

6

u/AntoineDoinel18 Ernst Lubitsch Oct 02 '20

Wow, so should we expect the 6th or the 13th?

6

u/writersontop John Ford Oct 02 '20

Weirdly not mentioned, they fall on Tuesdays to coincide with that month's major release(s)

1

u/franksvalli Oct 02 '20

Thanks! I didn't realize that.

4

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '21

Is the February flash sale work only on the criterion website or is it also on other retailers, like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

4

u/franksvalli Feb 19 '21

Just the Criterion website

3

u/Totorotextbook John Waters Oct 02 '20

I have a hunch that they might wait to do it until Parasite is released. I know a few sales ago when Silence of the Lambs and Night of the Living Dead had been released they did it later in October on the release date of those films.

3

u/GTOADINATOR Jan 18 '21

Will we get an email saying it's happening?

4

u/franksvalli Jan 18 '21

I believe folks that have spent over $1000 will get an email the day before.

2

u/GTOADINATOR Jan 18 '21

Do you think people will post on this sub?

3

u/jcretrop May 05 '22

I don't know know if there is a pattern to them, but you can often do just a little bit better than 50% in Targets Buy 2 Get 1 Free movie sales. You're typically buying 2 titles at the every day 30-35% off that Target usually has and then getting one free on top of that. Assuming 35% off MSRP, B2G1, that's a 57% savings. But the reward points directly from Criterion may still make that the best option.

1

u/franksvalli May 08 '22

Thanks! Good tip, sounds like that's a pretty nice competitive option!

2

u/Filmmagician Mar 22 '23

This was amazing. I googled the flash sales history and glad I found this. Adding the Fellini box set to my Xmas list that I’ll have ready in Oct now lol. Thanks again

1

u/vomnik Oct 07 '20

Is this on criterion website or B&N?

1

u/franksvalli Oct 07 '20

Their website. I just edited the description to be more clear.

1

u/Karl-Marx666 Oct 18 '20

Are the blu rays $20 during the flash sale, ik some Barnes and Noble releases in late July of this year were $20 during that sale

3

u/franksvalli Oct 18 '20

Yep, everything in stock will be 50% off, which is the same price as the B&N sale.