FilmStruck was launched on November 1, 2016, after being announced in April 2016.[7] At the time of its launch, FilmStruck had 500 movies available to stream, 200 of them from the Criterion Collection library.[8] As of February 2018, the combined channels on the service provided access to over 1,600 films, including more than 1,200 films licensed from the Criterion Collection.[9] On April 26, 2018, FilmStruck absorbed sister stand-alone service Warner Archive Instant, with current and new subscribers to the FilmStruck website.[10]
FilmStruck organized films in themed collections, while the Criterion Channel had original content such as their "Meet the Filmmaker" and "Adventures in Moviegoing" series, five-minute micro-lectures, as well as thematic programming like Friday double features and Tuesday short and feature film pairings. Some films featured hosted introductions.[8][14]
The Verge praised the availability of "best films ever made", while criticizing the catalog search functionality in July 2017.[16]Geek.com praised the delivery on home theater streaming media devices and the mobile app, but criticized the desktop delivery dependency on Flash.[17]
International availability
FilmStruck Curzon was announced in January 2018. The service became available in the United Kingdom in February 2018,[18] with launches in other markets to have come over the next two years.[19] Plans to launch in France and Spain were announced in May 2018.[20]
In France, the SVOD service features films from Carlotta Films, MK2, RKO, and StudioCanal and was launched in June 2018.[21] In Spain, the service serves up films from Wanda, Caramel, and A Contracorriente Films. It offers a combination of the local content as well as European and global films.[20]