TIFF 2026: 7 movies we can't wait to watch

Written by Kenza Bouhnass and Paige Irwin

The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival began on Thursday, and we’re very excited to be covering it again this year. Here is a list of [some of] the movies we’re most excited about.

Bucking Fastard
Directed by Werner Herzog

TIFF is bringing me my most anticipated film of the year: Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard. Ever since the project was announced, it has been occupying the number one spot on the list. And how could it not? 

Loosely based on the story of twins Greta and Freda Chaplin, Herzog is set to explore the deep connection that runs between two sisters, who speak at the same time, love the same people and dream the same dreams. A film set to be divisive, poking at the unusual ways in which one finds their identity and sense of belonging. With a bonus that makes me incapable of resisting the excitement is the Mara sisters, Kate and Rooney, put on screen together for the very first time. — Kenza

I can always rely on TIFF to get a little bit weird, and bringing in Bucking Fastard right after it’s world premiere in Venice is exactly what I was hoping for. Following the strange case of twin sisters Freda and Greta Chaplin, Werner Herzog is bringing an element of obscenity to TIFF 2026, and I could not be more thrilled about it. We Torontonians are so lucky to have the greatest filmmakers in the world coming right to our doorsteps! — Paige

Bucking Fastard will have its Canadian premiere on September 14.

The Debut
Directed by Jesse Eisenberg

Not far behind Bucking Fastard is The Debut for me — which had its world premiere last week at the Telluride Film Festival and earned absolute rave reviews. 

Julianne Moore stars as Mona Friedman, a housewife who gets cast in a part at a small community theatre. In a seemingly unravelling process, she goes to great lengths to make sure she inhabits her role to its full capacity. The premise, as well as the trailer, had already fully hooked my attention, but you throw in a Telluride mid-movie applause and talk of a career-best performance from Moore, you better believe I will be seated in theatres on the very next day. — Kenza

The Debut will have its international premiere on September 13.

Possible Love
Directed by Lee Chang-dong

Director Lee Chang-dong is back with Possible Love, which just had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. 

When a director consistently makes a film that instantly becomes one of your favourites of the year, which has been the case with his 2018 feature Burning and 2010 Poetry, everything else coming from them becomes a priority. I made the choice to trust my love for his previous films and go into it absolutely blind. — Kenza

Possible Love will have its North American premiere on September 14.

La Bola Negra
Directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo

Screening at TIFF directly after winning the Best Director award at Cannes this year, La Bola Negra is on everybody’s watchlist… and I am no different. 

Set in 1932, 1937, and 2017, La Bola Negra follows the lives of three different gay men and explores the connections between them over time. An exploration of queer identity, its power and permanence. I’m in, I’m incredibly excited. I am also prepared to shed a few tears if necessary. — Paige

La Bola Negra will have its Canadian premiere on September 15.

Sunburn
Directed by Serville Poblete

A Canadian film that I am very excited to watch at TIFF this year is Sunburn. Director Serville Poblete is definitely one to watch after winning the SXSW Documentary Short Award and bringing his latest film to TIFF.

Described as a coming-of-age film taking place on a hot summer day in Toronto, this film strikes close to home for a Toronto native such as myself. I’m looking forward to enjoying this film and hopefully having a few laughs as well as enjoying some sentimentality. — Paige

Sunburn will have its World premiere on September 14.

Minotaur, directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev
and La Gradiva, directed by Marine Atlan

Minotaur and La Gradiva both premiered at the Cannes Film Festival back in May as absolute highlights. I refrained from reading too much about them and let the particularly loving word of mouth and my intuition guide my selection choices. — Kenza

Minotaur will have its Canadian premiere on September 15, and La Gradiva will have its North American Premiere on September 14.