Before Cannes 2025 kickstarts, here is a comprehensive list of what you can expect to see at the grandest film festival of the world this year!
In just a few hours, the French Riviera will once again transform into the epicenter of global cinema. With all eyes on Cannes 2025, the riviera is all dressed up to welcome cinema with its finest bluish sea breeze, paparazzi on the steps, and the legendary red carpet ready to roll out. The Cannes Film Festival, now in its 78th edition, continues its legacy to be more than just a celebration of cinema but becomes an eye witness to cultural shifts, a playground for fashion statements, and the bedrock for global collaboration. As filmmakers, industry insiders, actors, and increasingly, digital creators gather for this film festival themed “Lights, Beauty and Action”, it is not just to showcase their work but also to shape conversations around cinema and art that ripple through the rest of the film year.
Here's a list of everything that we know about Cannes 2025 so far!
New rules of red carpet
This year, Cannes has made headlines just a few hours even before the festival has its carpet rolled out by introducing new red carpet guidelines. The aim is to preserve as stated “dignity and decorum.” The 2025 edition bans nudity and discourages voluminous gowns with long trains in an attempt to streamline the movement of guests, avoid disruptions, and smooth run of the festival. The decision has already stirred conversation especially among fashion experts as the carpet has always been seen as a space for expression; this also signals a new phase of the festival’s evolution.
A lineup that sets the tone for the film year
The Cannes film festival has long been a launchpad for Oscar contenders and champion for indie gems alike, with past Palme d’Or winners like Anora, Parasite and Anatomy of a Fall setting the stage for their global triumphs at The Academy Awards. This year is no different with a power-packed lineup.
Tom Cruise returns to Cannes for the world premiere of Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, screening at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, a nostalgic farewell to one of the most iconic action franchises. Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reunite to bring us Highest 2 Lowest, a gritty political thriller. Starring Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaz, Chris Evans, and directed by Ethan Coen in his signature style of genre twisting flair, Honey Don’t is a wild offbeat comedy set in the 1950s that follows a rebellious housewife on a chaotic road trip.
Richard Linklater returns to Cannes with a meta-cinematic homage to Jean-Luc Godard with Nouvelle Vague. The Before Trilogy director takes a personal and experimental look at the legacy of one of cinema’s most radical minds that was important for French New Wave. Joachim Trier returns with Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in The World) for Sentimental Value, a comedy-drama that also stars Stellan Skarsgård, and Elle Fanning exploring familial bonds and personal growth, set against contemporary Norway. Wes Anderson brings The Phoenician Scheme, with an ensemble of a cast as usual and his stylized filmmaking which this time is set in a fictional Mediterranean republic.
Known for Hereditary and Midsommar, Ari Aster returns to Cannes 2025 with Eddington, a mysterious psychological drama set in a small coastal town. Directed by Oliver Hermanus, The History of Sound is a historical romantic drama that features Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor traveling through 1919 New England to record folk songs. Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho presents The Secret Agent, a political thriller set during the final years of Brazil’s military dictatorship.
Julia Ducournau, known for her Palme d’Or-winning Titane, returns with Alpha, a film that delves into the complexities of human identity and transformation. Directed by Kirill Serebrennikov and based on Oliver Guez’s novel, The Disappearance of Josef Mengele is a historical drama that explores the post-war life of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele starring August Diehl. Sylvain Chomet’s animated biopic, A Magnificent Life portrays the life of French playwright Marcel Pagnol, blending nostalgia with artistic introspection. From Yeon Sang Ho, director of Train to Busan, comes a new thriller Colony that continues his exploration of societal themes through a suspenseful narrative.
Kristen Stewart’s much-anticipated directorial debut The Chronology of Water, based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, promises a bold and introspective journey. Scarlett Johansson also is making her directorial debut with Eleanor The Great which explores intergenerational grief, healing, and womanhood. Harris Dickinson, known for roles in Triangle of Sadness and Babygirl, makes his directorial debut with Urchin, a coming-of-age tale set in London’s underground punk scene.
Harry Lighton’s Pillion is a queer romance that delves into the intricacies of love and self-discovery, adding diversity. Presneted by Morad Mostafa, Aisha Can’t Fly Away is a debut feature that marks Egypt’s return after nearly a decade, following the story of a Sudanese caregiver navigating the complexities of migrant life in Cairo. Prested by brother duo filmmaker's Tarzan and Arab Nasser, Once Upon a Time In Gaza is a political thriller set in 2007 in Gaza.
Are you excited about Cannes 2025? Tell us in the comments below!
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