Good news, it isn't US only (anymore)! Criterion used to be available through Hulu (US only), then it was available through another streaming service whose name escapes me, but they (Criterion) finally started running their own VOD Netflix-like service:
Or you can just stream the movies with less friction more options and a wider catalogue. People thought netflix would en being the spotify of movies. They were wrong, so now watch a robust pirate scene to re-flourish.
When Criterion licenses films from the copyright holders, they are only allowed to distribute those films in North America. Meanwhile, in Europe for example, some other company gets the right. That is why Criterion’s DVDs and Blu-rays have always been Region 1, and Criterion’s own store will (last time I checked) not ship abroad.
