As the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) celebrates its landmark 50th edition (September 4–14, 2025), the festival feels as vital, eclectic, and globally minded as ever. If Venice and Telluride remain the homes for splashy awards-season coronations, Toronto has doubled down on its enduring strength: world premieres. This year’s lineup is stacked with exclusive debuts that won’t be seen on the Lido or in the Rockies, cementing TIFF’s place as the festival where discoveries are made, stars are born, and movies take their first breaths before audiences hungry for both prestige cinema and crowd-pleasing spectacle.
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Anchored by major filmmakers choosing Toronto for their unveiling—Rian Johnson, Paul Greengrass, Alice Winocour, and Steven Soderbergh—and bolstered by exciting first-time efforts from the likes of Maude Apatow, James McAvoy, and Brian Cox, this is a slate that thrives on variety. From intimate dramas to high-concept thrillers, from global auteurs to Hollywood heavyweights, TIFF’s 50th blends marquee glamour with adventurous programming.
There’s no shortage of buzzy names either: Sydney Sweeney, Keanu Reeves, Angelina Jolie, Matthew McConaughey, and Tessa Thompson headline splashy vehicles, while emerging voices from Korea, Palestine, and Québec expand the festival’s international reach. Yes, there are major titles like Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” starring Oscar Isaac; Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet,” with Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal; Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite,” and more, but in this preview, we’ll mostly stick to films that haven’t already premiered at Venice or Telluride.
It’s a lineup that speaks to TIFF’s dual identity as both an awards-season launchpad and a genuinely audience-friendly festival—a place where the Oscars collide with cult cinema, and where world premieres carry the thrill of seeing something first. Here are 33 films that will define Toronto’s golden anniversary edition.
“Good Fortune”
Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari makes his feature directorial debut with the high-concept comedy “Good Fortune,” co-written with Ilana Glazer. The cast includes Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Ansari. The story follows a well-meaning but inept angel who meddles in the lives of a struggling worker and a wealthy venture capitalist, sparking comic fallout about privilege, fate, and second chances.
“Christy”
Australian filmmaker David Michôd helms the sports drama “Christy,” written by Mirrah Foulkes and the “Animal Kingdom” writer/director. Sydney Sweeney stars alongside Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brien, and Ethan Embry. Based on the real-life rise of boxer Christy Martin, the film explores her groundbreaking career, the physical and emotional toll of the sport, and the personal struggles behind her public success.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
Writer-director Rian Johnson returns with the third installment of his acclaimed whodunit franchise, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” The ensemble cast features Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, and Glenn Close. Set against Americana backdrops, the mystery promises a new tangle of secrets and betrayals, driven by Johnson’s signature mix of wit, social commentary, and puzzle-box plotting.
“The Christophers”
Veteran filmmaker Steven Soderbergh directs the dark comedy “The Christophers,” written by longtime collaborator Ed Solomon. The ensemble cast includes Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, Jessica Gunning, and James Corden. The story follows a group of estranged siblings who hatch a plan to forge their late father’s unfinished artworks, blending family dysfunction with art-world satire.
“The Lost Bus”
Oscar-nominated director Paul Greengrass (“United 93”) helms the survival thriller “The Lost Bus,” co-written with Brad Ingelsby (“Mare Of Easttown”). Matthew McConaughey stars alongside America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez, and Ashlie Atkinson. Set during a wildfire evacuation in California, the real-time drama captures the urgency and human cost of crisis as lives intersect under pressure.
