TEN FILMS WE CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
words by ANOUK WOUDT
As the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival inches closer, we’ve compiled a list of ten of the films that we are most eagerly anticipating seeing premiere. With an array of genres that range from sci-fi thrillers to kitschy slashers, each film explores something completely different, ensuring that there is a viewing experience fit for every type of movie watcher— whether you’re into edge-of-your-seat suspense or more slow-burning dramas.
FJORD
BY CHRISTIAN MUNGIU
image via ALLOCINÉ
Starring Sebastian Stan and Joachim Trier’s official muse, Renate Reinseve, Fjord tells the story of the Gheorgius—a Catholic-Romanian family—settling into a remote Norwegian village, which is also the mother’s birthplace. Soon after, they meet the Halbergs, who live in the neighbouring house on the bay, and the families form a quick bond, despite their very different upbringings. As the children of both families become closer, haunting truths slowly seep out, with the Gheorghius being suspected of hurting their own children. Directed by Romanian filmmaker Christian Mungiu, this film puts him in the running again for the coveted Palme D’Or, which he won for his second feature back in 2007, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, making history as the first Romanian filmmaker to receive this honour. This year, Fjord will debut at the main competition of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, which would still be historic as the second win for a Romanian director.
FATHERLAND
BY PAWEŁ PAWLIKOWSKI
image via IMDB
In this historical drama set in Germany in 1949, Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski allows the viewer to embark on a journey through the country, its ruins, and the devastation of World War II. The film stars Hanns Zischler and Sandra Hüller, who play a writer and his daughter, as they cross through a US-dominated Frankfurt all the way to a Soviet-controlled Weimar. The film follows in Pawlikowski’s typical historical lens, but this time, taking a German perspective, which will be interesting considering he typically covers stories that tread more towards Slavic or Eastern European perspectives of this era.
CLUB KID
BY JORDAN FIRSTMAN
image via MOVIEMETER
In this highly anticipated directorial debut by Jordan Firstman, who’s currently starring in the recently renewed instant classic I Love LA, Club Kid feels like a true product of passion, with the multi-hyphenate not only directing, but also writing and starring in the piece. The film itself follows the story of a washed-up underground party promoter whose life takes an unexpected turn with the knowledge of his estranged son, whom he is now forced to look after. With starring roles from pop-culture icon Cara Delevingne and Babylon star Diego Calva, it is sure to be an iconic addition to the club kid genre.
THE MAN I LOVE
BY IRA SACHS
image via VARIETY
Set in late-80s New York, Ira Sachs’ The Man I Love tells the heartwrenching story of a theatre artist as he faces his AIDS diagnosis amid what might be his last role. Set to premiere at Cannes, it is the sole American feature that is up for the coveted Palme d’Or. The film weaves vibrant music-filled portrayals of this era of New York City with the raw, gutwrenching realities of life with AIDS. Life and death are delicately explored, as the main character, Jimmy George—played by the Oscar-winning Rami Malek— faces the uncomfortable grips of the potential of his upcoming demise. The beauty of the film rests in the fact that it also highlights the unfathomable joy of a life filled with creativity and passion, set amongst a group of artists and creatives as they survive in this cutthroat industry.
HOPE
BY NA HONG-JIN
image via THE PLAYLIST
Extraterrestrial forces clash into a supernatural sci-fi thriller chaos in Na Hong-Jin’s upcoming film, Hope. Taking place in the remote (fictional) village of Hope Harbour, which neighbours a heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone, the drama starts when a tiger is suddenly suspected of having appeared, alerting local police chief Bum-seok. This local emergency quickly turns into a full-scale mystery, as the town’s residents are forced to confront terrifying, unknown alien forces. With this film, Hong-Jin returns to the Cannes screen after a 10-year hiatus from filmmaking following 2016’s The Wailing. With only three feature films to his name, each one has screened at Cannes, with his debut even granting him the award of Best Director and Best Screenplay back in 2008, making this an exciting return.
COWARD
BY LUKAS DHONT
image via THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Taking place on the Belgian frontier of the First World War battlefield, Lukas Dhont’s Coward clashes themes of love, death, creation and destruction in this period drama. The film is centred on a young Belgian soldier, Pierre, as he struggles with cowardice and heroism amongst the trenches of the war. Self-described as Dhont’s most ambitious project yet, the film treads through darkness while allowing beauty to seep through its cracks. As a tribute to those who were sent to fight against their will, the film is destined to cross the spectrum of human emotion in his exciting directorial return to Cannes, following his previous Cannes winners 2018’s Girl and 2022’s Close.
TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA
BY JANE SCHOERBROEN
image via THE PLAYLIST
Horror explodes into psycho-sexual chaos in this upcoming slasher film by queer writer and director Jane Schoerbroen, who also brought the world the psychologically-thrilling coming-of-age story I Saw the TV Glow. The premise of the film follows a queer director— perhaps autobiographical?—currently working on a new installment of the long-running slasher franchise Camp Miasma. The director—played by Hacks star Hannah Einbinder—becomes obsessed with casting the actress who played the original final girl— the Gillian Anderson—though she’s taken a break from the acting world. As they work together, they descend into a blood-soaked sexually-charged mania, in this lesbian slasher take on a classic sleepover movie. Campiness comes in full force beckoning viewers to inch their way into the madness, as the plot swiftly reveals its horror roots.
SHEEP IN THE BOX
BY HIROKAZU KORE-EDA
image via LETTERBOXD
From the mind of Monster’s Hirokazu Kore-eda, comes his latest film titled Sheep in the Box, which tells the story of a couple who take in an infant humanoid into their home as their son, following the unfortunately premature passing of their son. The title which was inspired by the classic French children’s novel The Little Prince, this imagery represents how technology acts as a container allowing your desires and memories to be projected upon it, while obscuring what is truly inside. The film promises a restrained yet emotional exploration of the complexities of familial bonds and true meaning of humanity, as AI gets deeper into crossing these boundaries.
THE BLACK BALL
BY JAVIER AMBROSSI AND JAVIER CALVO
image via IMDB
Exploring queerness through the eyes of three men living in different eras of Spanish history, The Black Ball (La Bola Negra) is an upcoming drama directed by both Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. The film is inspired by an unfinished work by the same name from the 1920s era playwright and poet Federico García Lopez. Transporting the viewer to 1932, 1937 and 2017, the film serves as an exploration of the interconnected lives of three gay men. The cast comprises Guitarricadelafuente, Carlos González, and Milo Quifes in starring roles, with supporting roles from iconic actresses Glenn Close and Penélope Cruz.
PARALLEL TALES
BY ASHGAR FARHADI
image via IMDB
Parallel Tales follows a young man’s descent into a dangerous obsession with an older woman, played by Isabelle Huppert, which is ironic considering her previous iconic role in The Piano Teacher, where she also had a romantic entanglement with a younger suitor. Produced and directed by the Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, this film marks his second French-language film. The cast of the film is absolutely jam-packed with French cinematic icons, which include Vincent Cassel, Pierre Niney, Virginie Efira, and the absolutely iconic Catherine Deneuve. In the main competition of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, it is slated to be one of the most exciting films that are set to premiere at this year’s festival.
