Cannes 2025: The must-watch movies everyone’s talking about

Ever since its beginning in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has stood as a landmark event in global cinema—where bold, artistic films are recognised and honoured. Over the years, the festival has become an indicator, of sorts, of the critical and commercial success a film will enjoy. Take for instance the 2019 movie Parasite, which won the Palme d’Or before taking home the Best Picture title at the Oscars. Last year's The Substance, Emilia Pérez, and Anora went on to sweep a majority of the awards across categories. 

This year, the festival brings a dynamic mix of premieres from both veteran directors and exciting newcomers. Harris Dickinson, Kristen Stewart, and Scarlett Johansson are all stepping behind the camera for the first time, while big names like Spike Lee and Wes Anderson return with new and exciting titles. And yes, there’s a big blockbuster as well, with 'Mission: Impossible–The Final Reckoning' bringing Tom Cruise back to the Croisette after Top Gun: Maverick’s 2022 premiere.

With the 78th edition all set to unfold from May 13 to 24, where Robert De Niro will receive an honourary Palme d’Or, here are some of the most anticipated films on this year’s schedule.

Highest 2 Lowest 

Denzel Washington, now 70, has often hinted at retirement—but not before reuniting with director Spike Lee for one final project: Highest 2 Lowest. The film is a bold reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, and features a standout cast including Jeffrey Wright, Ice Spice, A$AP Rocky, and Dean Winters. It also marks Washington’s first-ever appearance at Cannes—36 years after Lee debuted Do the Right Thing at the festival, making the premiere especially meaningful.

Washington stars as a powerful New York music mogul at the top of his game, suddenly forced to make a life-changing decision. The story takes a sharp turn when a kidnapper demands ransom—not for his own son, but for his chauffeur’s child, who was taken by mistake. Faced with losing his fortune or saving an employee’s child, he’s pushed to confront what truly matters.

Sentimental Value 

Joachim Trier, the Norwegian director behind The Worst Person in the World, returns to Cannes with a new film—and he’s again teamed up with Renate Reinsve, who won Best Actress at the festival in 2021. Their latest project tells the story of two sisters in Oslo, who reunite with their estranged father, a famous filmmaker, after their mother’s death. Reinsve plays one of the sisters, an actress, while Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas plays the younger sibling. As they come together to make a film with their father—played by Stellan Skarsgård—old wounds resurface and buried emotions come to light. Elle Fanning also stars in this deeply personal family drama, which promises to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.

Eddington

Ari Aster’s Eddington is a dark comedy set during the first COVID-19 lockdown, capturing the chaos and fear of a small town in crisis. Joaquin Phoenix plays a defiant sheriff in Eddington, New Mexico, who refuses to enforce public health rules, sparking tension and division. His biggest opponent is the town’s long-time mayor, played by Pedro Pascal, who’s struggling to maintain control as an election approaches. 

The film tracks their power struggle during the lockdown, with the townspeople caught in between. Emma Stone plays a local journalist trying to uncover the truth, Austin Butler is a conspiracy-driven radio host, and Micheal Ward portrays a young activist fighting for clarity in the noise. With Aster’s signature mix of dark humour and horror, Eddington explores the madness of a moment still fresh in memory.

The Phoenician Scheme

Wes Anderson and Cannes always make for an exciting combination, and this year, the director brings something unexpected. After The French Dispatch and Asteroid City premiered at the festival, Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme—a thrilling, blood-soaked crime drama that marks a departure from his usual style.

The film stars Benicio del Toro as an embattled tycoon and Mia Threapleton, Kate Winslet’s daughter, as his daughter and heir. Threapleton’s rising talent stands out as she plays a nun caught up in a dangerous scheme with her father. The film also boasts an impressive ensemble, including Michael Cera, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Riz Ahmed, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Benedict Cumberbatch, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Willem Dafoe. As the story takes them on a wild adventure across deserts, jungles, and oceans, Anderson’s latest work promises a fresh, thrilling experience for fans of the auteur.

Nouvelle Vague 

Richard Linklater brings a piece of film history to Cannes with Nouvelle Vague, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 classic Breathless, which helped ignite the French New Wave. The film stars Guillaume Marbeck as Godard and Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, whose iconic role in Breathless made her a symbol of the movement. Shot entirely in French, Nouvelle Vague features local actors portraying legendary figures like Claude Chabrol, François Truffaut, and Agnès Varda. Linklater, influenced by French cinema—especially the dialogue-heavy style of Éric Rohmer seen in his Before trilogy—brings his own touch to this tribute, possibly blending his style with nods to his filmmaking heroes. Where else could it possibly launch but at Cannes?

The History of Sound 

Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor star as lovers in this queer romance set in rural New England during World War I. Directed by Oliver Hermanus (Living), the film follows two young men who travel across the countryside, recording the voices, stories, and folk music of their fellow Americans.

Since its announcement in 2021, the film has been highly anticipated—especially as both Mescal and O’Connor have become breakout stars in recent years. With a screenplay adapted by Ben Shattuck from his own short story, The History of Sound is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films at Cannes.

Eleanor the Great 

Scarlett Johansson debuts as a director for 'Eleanor the Great'. The film follows Eleanor, a 90-year-old woman played by June Squibb, who decides to leave her quiet life in Florida after the death of her lifelong best friend. She moves to New York City in search of a fresh start and slowly begins to rebuild her life. Despite the challenges of forming new connections at her age, she develops an unexpected friendship with a 19-year-old student.

At 95, Squibb is having a remarkable career resurgence after her standout role in last year’s Thelma, and leading this warm, thoughtful story feels like the perfect next chapter.

Mission: Impossible–The Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise returns to Cannes with the kind of blockbuster energy only he can deliver. After making a splash in 2022 with Top Gun: Maverick, he’s back with what’s expected to be the final chapter of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Directed by long-time collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, the eighth installment promises all the high-stakes action the series is known for—explosive set pieces, daring stunts, and Cruise, now 62, once again putting his body on the line. With Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Angela Bassett, and Hannah Waddingham joining the cast, the film is set to be a thrilling ride.

Tanvi the Great

Anupam Kher is making headlines with his directorial debut, Tanvi the Great, which will be showcased at the Marché du Film at Cannes. Co-written by Kher and Ankur Suman and Abhishek Dixit, the film brings together a strong creative team, including cinematographer Keiko Nakahara and music composer MM Keeravani, who won an Oscar for RRR.

The film follows Tanvi, a young girl who appears to be a special child at first but gradually reveals unexpected strength and transformation. Set against the serene backdrop of the mountains, the teaser offers glimpses of her quiet passions—playing the piano, exploring photography, and connecting with nature. As the story unfolds, she’s seen growing more focused and determined, drawn to the discipline of the Indian Army. Kher’s film promises an emotional and inspiring story of transformation and determination—one that’s likely to strike a chord with global audiences and shine a spotlight on Indian storytelling at Cannes.

Homebound 

Neeraj Ghaywan is set to make a much-anticipated return to the Cannes Film Festival with his latest feature, Homebound, which will premiere in the Un Certain Regard section. This marks a full-circle moment for the filmmaker, whose 2015 debut Masaan was screened in the same category and went on to win international acclaim. Through the film, Ghaywan returns to Cannes with a strong creative team and the kind of grounded, emotional storytelling that first made him a name to look out for on the global stage.

While details around Homebound are still under wraps, the film brings together an intriguing cast led by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, with a special appearance by Janhvi Kapoor. It is written and directed by Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions in collaboration with Varun Grover and Somen Mishra. Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta also serve as producers, alongside co-producers Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan du Plantier.

Lead image: Getty Images

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