It looks like Lav Diaz’s Magellan could be joining the collection soon with a Blu-ray release.
The auteurAuteurA filmmaker whose personal vision and consistent style are so strong that they are seen as the main author of their films. The term comes from French film criticism, andGo to Auteur Glossary filmmaker’s historic epic was recently added to the official Blu-ray website, where it’s set to be released as a single disc. Blu-ray.com is a reference for forthcoming releases, while Criterion announces its own releases monthly. As of now, Criterion has not announced whether there is a Magellan release.
However, there is a likelihood of this release since Magellan is distributed in the U.S. by Janus Films, which premieres films on the Criterion Channel (such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud and Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light). The exclusive Criterion Channel premieres are released on the Criterion Premieres Blu-ray, which is separate from the Criterion Collection Blu-rays.
We have reached out to Lav Diaz’s team regarding this, but there is no confirmation yet.
There are currently two Filipino films in the Criterion Collection: Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang by Lino Brocka. The Criterion Channel, its streamingStreamingListening to music or watching video on demand over the internet through platforms like Spotify and Netflix, rather than owning copies. Streaming has changed how artists earn and how audiencesGo to Streaming Glossary platform, offers more extensive coverage of Philippine Cinema, including a Lino Brocka spotlight (featuring Bona), a New Independent Philippine Cinema collection, and two of Kidlat Tahimik’s films, Turumba and Perfumed Nightmare.
Magellan, starring Gael García Bernal, follows the Portuguese explorer on his journey from Europe to the islands that would eventually become the Philippines. It made its global premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film FestivalFilm FestivalAn organized event that screens a curated selection of films, often with premieres, awards, and talks with filmmakers. Festivals are important launching pads for independent and international cinema, and inGo to Film Festival Glossary, where it was lauded by critics as an “arthouse epic” and one of Diaz’s “most approachable films.”
Although the film was the Philippines’ official submission to the 98th Academy Awards’ Best International FeatureFeatureA guest appearance by another artist on a song, usually credited as featuring or ft. in the title. Features introduce each performer to the other's fans, and they can sparkGo to Feature Glossary Film category, it ultimately did not make it into the Oscars’ 2026 shortlists.
It is currently playing in U.S. theaters.
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