The best TV shows on The Criterion Channel right now are Terror in Resonance, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Carlos. Each series streams in full this month and suits a different mood. The Criterion Channel is a subscription service focused on classic and art-house film and select series. October puts the spotlight on anime thrillers, while September additions remain available.
Table of Contents
- Which anime should you start with?
- Why is Evangelion the essential pick?
- What live-action series stands out?
- What should you check before streaming?
Which anime should you start with?
Terror in Resonance is the featured October anime series. It is an 11-episode 2014 anime from Shinichiro Watanabe about teens Nine and Twelve staging Sphinx bombings in Tokyo while detective Shibazaki decodes clues, according to the Criterion Channel. Criterion lists it as its featured riveting anime series for October 2026 in the October 2026 lineup announcement, according to the Criterion Collection.
The month also includes Highway Horror, Kiyoshi Kurosawa films, Kubrick selections and Bruce LaBruce titles, beginning October 1. The show works well as a short modern thriller. Its 11-episode run moves fast and centers on puzzles, pursuit and political pressure.
Why is Evangelion the essential pick?
Neon Genesis Evangelion is the original 26-episode series. The Criterion Channel streams it in Japanese and the Classic ADV English dub, plus The End of Evangelion and Death (True)², according to the Criterion Channel. The Classic ADV English dub is offered on streaming for the first time.
That option matters for viewers who first met the series through older home-video releases. Criterion lists Neon Genesis Evangelion as joining its anime offerings in September 2026 in the September 2026 lineup announcement, according to the Criterion Collection. The month also brought an Abel Ferrara retrospective, Girl Bands, a Paul Dano interview, Romería and Flow, beginning September 1.
What live-action series stands out?
Carlos is a 3-episode 2010 miniseries from Olivier Assayas. It stars Édgar Ramírez as terrorist Ilich Ramírez Sánchez and covers bombings, kidnappings and hijackings across Europe and the Middle East, according to the Criterion Channel. Its short length makes it feel closer to an extended film.
Viewers get a complete story without a multi-season commitment. It also balances the month's anime-heavy highlights. Watch it for political history, 1970s period detail and a central star performance.
What should you check before streaming?
JustWatch tracking reports Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex seasons 1-2 are currently streaming on the Criterion Channel in the U.S., according to JustWatch tracking. The same tracker says the show is also free with ads on Roku, Tubi and Adult Swim. That wider availability helps if you share an account or travel.
Check the free services first when access or cost is an issue. U.S. and Canadian viewers need a $10.99/month or $99.99/year subscription with a 7-day free trial. Some October titles are marked U.S.-only, so availability varies by region.