# Criterion Channel Scraper (`lulzasaur/criterionchannel-scraper`) Actor Scrape the Criterion Channel streaming catalog. Get film titles, directors, years, countries, cast, descriptions, and thumbnails for 3,200+ classic and art-house films. - **URL**: https://apify.com/lulzasaur/criterionchannel-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [lulz bot](https://apify.com/lulzasaur) (community) - **Categories:** E-commerce - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $10.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Criterion Channel Scraper Scrape the [Criterion Channel](https://www.criterionchannel.com) streaming catalog to extract film data. The Criterion Channel offers 3,200+ classic, art-house, and independent films from around the world. ### What data can you get? For each film in the catalog, the scraper extracts: - **Title** - Film name - **Director** - Director name - **Year** - Release year - **Country** - Country of origin - **Thumbnail URL** - Poster/thumbnail image - **URL** - Direct link to the film page With **Scrape Details** enabled (visits each film page individually): - **Description** - Film synopsis - **Cast** - Starring actors - **Duration** - Runtime (H:MM:SS) - **Collection** - Criterion collection the film belongs to ### How to use #### Search by query Provide search queries to filter the catalog by film title, director name, country, or year: ```json { "searchQueries": ["kurosawa", "godard", "Japan"], "maxListings": 50 } ```` #### Scrape the full catalog Leave `searchQueries` empty to scrape the entire catalog: ```json { "searchQueries": [], "maxListings": 3500 } ``` #### Get full film details Enable `scrapeDetails` to visit each film page and extract descriptions, cast, duration, and collection info: ```json { "searchQueries": ["bergman"], "maxListings": 20, "scrapeDetails": true } ``` ### Input parameters | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | `searchQueries` | string\[] | `[]` | Film titles, directors, countries, or years to search. Empty = full catalog. | | `maxListings` | integer | `100` | Maximum number of films to scrape (1-5000). | | `scrapeDetails` | boolean | `false` | Visit each film page for full details (slower). | | `proxyConfiguration` | object | - | Optional proxy settings. | ### Output example ```json { "title": "Seven Samurai", "director": "Akira Kurosawa", "year": 1954, "genre": null, "duration": "3:27:09", "description": "One of the most thrilling movie epics of all time...", "collection": "Seven Samurai", "country": "Japan", "cast": "Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima", "thumbnailUrl": "https://vhx.imgix.net/criterionchannelchartersu/assets/...", "url": "https://www.criterionchannel.com/seven-samurai", "searchQuery": "kurosawa", "scrapedAt": "2026-04-25T12:00:00.000Z" } ``` ### Use cases - **Film research** - Build a database of classic and art-house films - **Streaming catalog tracking** - Monitor what's available on Criterion Channel - **Director filmographies** - Find all films by a specific director - **Country-based film lists** - Discover films from specific countries - **Data analysis** - Analyze the Criterion Channel's catalog by decade, country, or director - **Watchlist building** - Search and compile lists of films to watch ### Technical notes - The scraper reads the full catalog from `films.criterionchannel.com` which is server-side rendered - No login required - the catalog listing is publicly accessible - With `scrapeDetails: false`, all data comes from a single page load (fast) - With `scrapeDetails: true`, each film page is visited individually (slower but richer data) - Film detail pages are on the Vimeo VHX/OTT platform ### Cost estimate Using Apify's pay-per-event pricing: - **Catalog only** (scrapeDetails: false): ~$0.005 per film - **With details** (scrapeDetails: true): ~$0.005 per film (additional page loads) - Full catalog scan (3,200 films, no details): ~$16 - Targeted search (50 films with details): ~$0.25 # Actor input Schema ## `searchQueries` (type: `array`): Film titles, directors, countries, or years to search for. Leave empty to scrape the full catalog. ## `maxListings` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of films to scrape. ## `scrapeDetails` (type: `boolean`): Visit each film page to get full details (description, cast, duration, collection). Slower but more data. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Optional proxy to use. ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQueries": [], "maxListings": 100, "scrapeDetails": false } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("lulzasaur/criterionchannel-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("lulzasaur/criterionchannel-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call lulzasaur/criterionchannel-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lulzasaur/criterionchannel-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Criterion Channel Scraper", "description": "Scrape the Criterion Channel streaming catalog. Get film titles, directors, years, countries, cast, descriptions, and thumbnails for 3,200+ classic and art-house films.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "BxQTHwSDMev8Rcv12" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/lulzasaur~criterionchannel-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lulzasaur-criterionchannel-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~criterionchannel-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-lulzasaur-criterionchannel-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~criterionchannel-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-lulzasaur-criterionchannel-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searchQueries": { "title": "Search Queries", "type": "array", "description": "Film titles, directors, countries, or years to search for. Leave empty to scrape the full catalog.", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxListings": { "title": "Max Listings", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 5000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of films to scrape.", "default": 100 }, "scrapeDetails": { "title": "Scrape Details", "type": "boolean", "description": "Visit each film page to get full details (description, cast, duration, collection). Slower but more data.", "default": false }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Optional proxy to use." } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```