Introduction to major boutique film distributors

Physical media collectors inevitably encounter a choice.

It might happen when they notice a small “C” on the corner of a case, or perhaps one of their favourite movies or a recommended must-see is much more expensive than their usual pick-up. At this point, they either take their first steps into a world of movie releases that continues to unfold and grow every day, or they return to the world of streaming.

For anyone that opts for the first choice and carries on with interest, determination, and open wallets—Welcome to the world of the boutique film distributor.

Boutique film distributors are some of the most important curators of film in the present day. They find and release modern, classic, and overlooked movies that would otherwise be lost or forgotten. The movies are often released in definitive packages that treat the films with as much or more respect than anyone has given them since the original production.

You may be wondering what makes a boutique movie release a boutique movie release. In another article, we breakdown the key features that make boutique movie releases unique. Otherwise, keep reading for your guide to a few of the important boutique film distributors that every film lover should know about.

Criterion Collection

Criterion Collection is one of the original and most important boutique film distributors. They are a US-based company that began in 1984. They focus on “licensing, restoring and distributing important classic and contemporary films.” In the DVD/Blu-ray era alone, they have over 1,000 consistently high-quality, occasionally definitive releases of compelling and important films.

A tolerance for subtitles is often required.

Three of Criterion Collection’s many DVD, Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-Ray releases are pictured here. From left to right, Jean Renoir’s *The Grand Illusion*, Orson Welles’ *Citizen Kane*, and Bong Joon Ho’s *Parasite*.

Key Criterion Collection releases

· Citizen Kane—First release (LaserDisc)

· Seven Samurai (DVD and Blu-ray)

· The Apu Trilogy (Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray)

Typical categories of movies released by Criterion

· Art house cinema

· World cinema

· American independent cinema

Check out https://www.criterion.com/ to learn more.

Arrow Video

Arrow Video is the most well-known boutique film label from the United Kingdom. They began in 2009 and grew out of Arrow Films, a company previously known for theatrical releases, by specializing in releasing high-quality, special-feature-filled deluxe releases for horror and cult films that were deeply loved by fans but previously ignored by distributors.

Key Arrow Video Releases

· Hellraiser

· Deep Red

· Bruce Lee at Golden Harvest

Typical categories of movies released by Arrow Video

· Cult films

· Horror films

· Classic films

Check out https://www.arrowfilms.com/ to learn more.

Vinegar Syndrome

Vinegar Syndrome is an important US-based boutique film distributor that started in 2013. They are focused on preserving genre film and exploitation movies of all varieties. They began by releasing classic pornographic films that would otherwise have been lost to the fading memories of a former generation. The porn releases have moved over to a sister label, Mélusine, and Vinegar Syndrome now focuses on treating sleazy and divisive films like Showgirls as if they were Casablanca.

Warning: The reaction to Vinegar Syndrome releases can veer strongly between love and hate, even amongst Vinegar Syndrome fans; someone’s favourite release may be someone else’s most hated movie of all time. But when you connect with one of their movies, it’s liable to become an all-time favourite that you’ll keep going back to.

Three Vinegar Syndrome releases lined up beside each other. The movies are From Beyond, Amityville 1992: It's About Time, and New York Ninja. — *From Beyond*, *Amityville 1992: It’s About Time*, and *New York Ninja* are only three of nearly 500 Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray movie releases in Vinegar Syndrome’s main line alone.

Key Vinegar Syndrome Releases

· The Lost Films of Herschell Gordon Lewis

· New York Ninja

· Spookies

Typical categories of movies released by Vinegar Syndrome

· Sleazy exploitation films

· Horror films

· Action films

Check out https://vinegarsyndrome.com/ to learn more.

Written by Matthew Long

Edited by Anthony Nijissen (Owner of APT Editing)