TIFF 2026 Preview: Must-See Films and Series at the Toronto International Film Festival
The fall film festival season has officially launched as the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) opens its doors. This year’s lineup brims with high-profile premieres, A-list talent, and independent gems poised for awards contention. Mashable is reporting live from Toronto, covering the films that could race toward Oscar glory and the series making their big-screen debuts. Whether you are navigating the festival’s packed schedule in person or building a watchlist from home, our curated guide highlights the most anticipated titles, complete with release details so you can catch them as soon as possible.
Hope
South Korean auteur Na Hong-jin (The Wailing) returns with Hope, a 156-minute sci-fi epic that moves with the ferocity of the monsters at its core. Hwang Jung-min leads as a small-town sheriff investigating a bizarre livestock killing near a forest, only to confront a lethal creature amid building-shattering, bone-snapping action sequences that dominate the first act.
“You won’t believe what comes next, but spoilers: It’s epic.” — K.P.
Starring: Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender.
How to watch: Hope opens in theaters on September 9, coinciding with its TIFF premiere.
Julián
Animation powerhouse Cartoon Saloon (The Secret of Kells, Wolfwalkers, The Breadwinner) adapts Jessica Love’s beloved children’s book Julián Is a Mermaid. The film follows a young Afro-Latino boy spending the summer with his Dominican-American abuela in Brooklyn. Upon discovering the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, he dreams of joining the spectacle, but earning his grandmother’s understanding proves a journey of identity and love, rendered in the studio’s signature gorgeous, joyful animation.
“Trust us, you won’t want to miss Julián.” — K.P.
Starring: Knyght Darius Jack, Milcania Diaz-Rojas, Lisa-Kaindé Diaz, and Naomi Diaz.
How to watch: Following its North American Premiere at TIFF, Julián’s release date is to be determined.
Back in Black
Christopher Walken and Jane Curtin headline this dark comedy co-written by Ron Murphy and Nick Torokvei and directed by Murphy. Walken plays a charismatic mortician whose family business is failing because no one in their cozy American town is dying. His optimistic wife (Curtin) urges patience, but their granddaughter Sam (Ella Ballentine) takes matters into her own hands with a screwdriver, fatally altering the fates of several neighbors.
“The results are hilarious, but also joltingly macabre.” — K.P.
Starring: Christopher Walken, Jane Curtin, and Ella Ballentine.
How to watch: Following its World Premiere at TIFF, Back in Black’s release is to be determined.
Stuffed
Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer stars as Araminta, a taxidermist with an unusual consensual ambition: to stuff a human body. Harry Melling (The Pillion) plays Bernie, a lonely man seeking belonging. As their connection deepens, their feelings threaten the project. Filmmaker Theo Rhys expands his award-winning 2021 SXSW short into a feature debut that blends dark comedy, romance, and musical elements.
“And that is why I’m so chuffed over Stuffed. I saw the short when it played SXSW back in 2021, and was part of the jury who awarded it a special jury prize. Because not only is this a story of death and romance with a dark comic sensibility, it’s also a musical. I’m absolutely giddy to see how Rhys has expanded the concept, and with such a enticing cast.” — K.P.
Starring: Jodie Comer and Harry Melling.
How to watch: Following its World Premiere at TIFF, Stuffed’s release is to be determined.
Vintage Violence
Writer-director Eugene Kotlyarenko delivers a genre-blending midnight movie. Cole Sprouse plays an urban-exploration content creator who discovers a cache of vintage denim. A follower (Kiko Mizuhara) persuades him to travel to Japan to sell the jeans, sparking a romance that quickly entangles the Yakuza. Kinetic editing, slide screens, and video game sound effects mirror social media overload.
“All this makes Vintage Violence well-suited to TIFF’s Midnight slate.” — K.P.
Starring: Cole Sprouse, Kiko Mizuhara, Nijiro Murakami, Pierre Taki, and Hio Miyazawa.
How to watch: Following its World Premiere at TIFF, Vintage Violence’s release is to be determined.
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!
After generating buzz at Sundance, Josef Kubota Wladyka’s comedy-drama arrives at TIFF ahead of a Sony Pictures Classics release. Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim) stars as Haru, a Japanese woman devoted to Latin dancing and her Mexican husband, Luis. When he dies on the dance floor, grief derails her life until family pressure and a charismatic new instructor offer a path forward.
“Imaginative, bittersweet, and wonderfully humane, Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! is a feel-good movie you won’t want to miss.” — K.P.
Starring: Rinko Kikuchi, Alberto Guerra, Alejandro Edda, Damián Alcázar, You, and Yoh Yoshida.
How to watch: Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! makes its Canadian Premiere at TIFF, then opens in the U.S. on September 25.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
After exiting the MCU’s Blade project, Mahershala Ali and writer-director Bassam Tariq reunite for this action drama. Ali portrays Latif, a Muslim family man and hitman protecting his community. After his wife’s death, he becomes a sole parent, but his violent past resurfaces as he battles hired guns and a charismatic cult leader played by John Cho.
“There are a lot of exciting titles hitting this fall. But we’re predicting this one is in the must-see category.” — K.P.
Starring: Mahershala Ali, John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Abubakr Ali, Tramell Tillman, Tiffany Boone, and Laith Nakli.
How to watch: World Premiere at TIFF, followed by a limited U.S. theatrical release on September 25, expanding October 2, and going wide October 9.
Atonement
Reed Van Dyk writes and directs this adaptation of Dexter Filkins’ article. The film opens in 2003 Iraq, where American soldiers mistakenly kill three family members. Years later, a journalist (reimagined as Michael Reid) seeks to reunite a surviving soldier (Boyd Holbrook) and the family’s widow (Hiam Abbass) in a quest for peace. The film earned raves at Cannes.
“Reviews out of the Cannes International Film Festival were largely raves. So, TIFF attendees are eager to see what Van Dyk delivers.” — K.P.
Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Kenneth Branagh, and Hiam Abbass.
How to watch: Following its North American Premiere at TIFF, Atonement opens in limited theatrical release on October 2.
Tenzing
Director Jennifer Peedom (Sherpa, Mountain) shifts focus from Sir Edmund Hillary to Tenzing Norgay, the Nepalese Indian sherpa essential to the 1953 Everest summit. Genden Phuntsok stars as Norgay, with Tom Hiddleston as Hillary, alongside Willem Dafoe, Caitríona Balfe, and Thinley Lhamo.
“And we can’t wait to see the emotional heights they’ll reach together.” — K.P.
Starring: Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe, Caitríona Balfe, and Thinley Lhamo.
How to watch: Canadian Premiere at TIFF, then select theaters October 9 before a global debut on Apple TV+ on October 16.
Musk
Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney (The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) turns his lens on Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X. No trailer has been released, but Gibney’s track record investigating power and fraud suggests a penetrating portrait.
“There’s no trailer for this one yet. But based on Gibney’s heralded filmography, we’re betting Musk will be more The Jinx, less Melania.” — K.P.
How to watch: Following its North American Premiere at TIFF, Musk opens in theaters on October 16.
Being Heumann
Sian Heder (CODA) directs this biographical drama adapted from Judith Heumann’s memoir Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. The film centers on the historic 1977 sit-in that became the longest occupation of a federal building in U.S. history, cementing Heumann’s legacy as the mother of the disability rights movement. Ruth Madeley stars, supported by Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O’Brien, Rob Delaney, and Ray Fisher.
“Sounds like a stirring drama that could well return Heder to the Oscar campaign trail.” — K.P.
Starring: Ruth Madeley, Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O’Brien, Rob Delaney, and Ray Fisher.
How to watch: World Premiere at TIFF, then select theaters November 6 before streaming on Apple TV+ November 13.
Wild Horse Nine
Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Banshees of Inisherin) reunites with Oscar winner Sam Rockwell. Set on the eve of the 1973 Chilean coup, two CIA agents (Rockwell and John Malkovich) are dispatched to Easter Island, where they confront dark pasts and a pair of rebellious students.
“What could happen? Based on McDonagh’s filmography, we’re going to guess violent blows, biting jokes, and stinging bitterness.” — K.P.
Starring: John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Mariana Di Girolamo, Ailín Salas, Tom Waits, and Parker Posey.
How to watch: Canadian Premiere at TIFF, then theatrical release on November 6.
Bitter Christmas
Pedro Almodóvar presents a semi-autobiographical drama intertwining two timelines. In 2004, Elsa mines her grief for art; in 2025, Raúl exploits a suffering friend. Both navigate the ethical toll of drawing from loved ones’ lives. The film earned praise at Cannes ahead of its North American bow.
“After scoring praise out of the Cannes International Film Festival, Bitter Christmas comes to TIFF to stir emotions and discourse.” — K.P.
Starring: Bárbara Lennie, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Victoria Luengo, Patrick Criado, Milena Smit, and Quim Gutiérrez.
How to watch: North American Premiere at TIFF, then limited release November 13, expanding November 25.
Elsinore
Focus Features follows Hamnet with another Shakespeare-adjacent drama. Elsinore chronicles Scottish actor Ian Charleson’s final Hamlet in 1989, performed while he was dying of AIDS. Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers) portrays Charleson, joined by Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, and Juliet Stevenson.
“Have your tissues ready.” — K.P.
Starring: Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, and Juliet Stevenson.
How to watch: Canadian Premiere at TIFF, then select theaters November 20.
The Debut
Jesse Eisenberg writes, directs, and produces this A24 comedy celebrating community theater. Julianne Moore plays Mona Friedman, a New Jersey wife and mother who auditions for a local musical. Under the demanding direction of local legend Jerry (Paul Giamatti), the experience becomes a conduit for her suppressed rage and joy.
“What begins as a flight of fancy becomes a serious means for Mona to channel her inner rage and joy, as local legend and demanding director Jerry (Paul Giamatti) pushes her to unlock a part of herself she’s long suppressed.” — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor
Starring: Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, Jesse Eisenberg, Cara Buono, Craig Bierko, Eldar Isgandarov, and Bernadette Peters.
How to watch: International Premiere at TIFF on September 13, then theatrical release December 11.
Ink
Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Years Later) reunites with Jack O’Connell for this adaptation of James Graham’s 2017 stage play. The biographical drama explores the professional relationship between media magnate Rupert Murdoch (Guy Pearce) and editor Larry Lamb (O’Connell), who moved from The Daily Mail to The Sun. Claire Foy co-stars.
“We’ve not seen Graham’s play. But details on the premise, plus Boyle and his cast, have us ready to see Ink.” — K.P.
Starring: Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce, and Claire Foy.
How to watch: Canadian Premiere at TIFF, then select theaters December 11 before streaming on Netflix January 8, 2027.
Yaga
TIFF’s TV slate includes Yaga, a supernatural mystery rooted in the Baba Yaga legend from showrunner Kat Sandler. Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry) plays Henry Park, heir to a coastal fishery who vanishes. Private investigator Rapp (Noah Reid) uncovers a case veering into twisted fairy tale territory, crossing paths with enigmatic professor Katherine (Carrie-Anne Moss).
“What starts as a thriller soon veers into twisted fairy tale territory, hopefully complete with Baba Yaga’s chicken leg house. (If not, we’ll settle for some solid scares.)” — B.E.
Starring: Noah Reid, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hudson Williams, Clark Backo, Sheila McCarthy, Megan Follows, Ezra Franky, Patrick Gilmore, Katharine Isabelle, Hiro Kanagawa, Emilija Baranac, Georgia Acken, Anisa Harris, and Sam Krochmal.
How to watch: World Premiere at TIFF, then premieres this October on AMC+.
Carrie
Mike Flanagan, the modern master of Stephen King adaptations (The Life of Chuck, Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game) and horror television (The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass), tackles Carrie as a miniseries. The update transplants the telepathic teen’s nightmare to the present day, promising a fresh perspective on the iconic prom-night climax.
“Flanagan is the modern master of Stephen King adaptations, having directed excellent films like The Life of Chuck, Doctor Sleep, and Gerald’s Game. He’s also proven his considerable horror TV chops thanks to chilling projects like The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, and Midnight Mass. His upcoming Carrie miniseries synthesizes these two specialties, which already bodes well. It also updates King’s story of a bullied telepathic teen (Summer H. Howell) to today, promising a fresh look at an iconic tale, even if the end destination of the world’s bloodiest prom remains the same.” — B.E.
Starring: Summer H. Howell, Samantha Sloyan, Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Joel Oulette, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, Thalia Dudek, Amber Midthunder, and Matthew Lillard.
How to watch: World Premiere at TIFF, then premieres October 7 on Prime Video.
