The 2026 Venice Film Festival is set to be a grand affair, although it could have been even more spectacular. Several eagerly awaited films that were initially expected to make an appearance at the Lido this September will, in fact, be absent. These include Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Digger featuring Tom Cruise; Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning with Jeremy Strong portraying Mark Zuckerberg; David Fincher’s spin-off of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, titled The Adventures of Cliff Booth starring Brad Pitt; Tom Ford’s Cry to Heaven marking Adele’s acting debut; and Tony Gilroy’s awards contender Behemoth! led by Pedro Pascal, among others.
Nonetheless, the 83rd edition of the festival, scheduled from September 2 to 12, promises a stellar lineup. Maggie Gyllenhaal will preside over the jury, and George Clooney along with 93-year-old iconic actress Ellen Burstyn will be honored with lifetime achievement awards. The event will feature a mix of thrilling narratives, captivating adventures, and, true to Venice tradition, several documentaries that are sure to make headlines. Notable among them are a Laura Poitras co-directed short about ICE, a four-hour exploration of Elon Musk by Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney, a seven-hour Bernardo Bertolucci documentary by Luca Guadagnino, and a recount of Oasis’s recent reunion tour narrated by both Gallagher brothers. Here are 10 films you should keep an eye out for.
Wild Horse Nine
Among the films on the roster, Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy is a standout contender for awards. His previous films, The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), both premiered in Venice and went on to win two Oscars and secure 16 nominations in total. This new film is just as star-studded and relevant. Set against the backdrop of the enigmatic statues of Easter Island during the lead-up to the 1973 Chilean coup, it follows two adventurous CIA agents, played by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, who aim to topple the national government. Their plans go awry when they become involved with two rebellious students, portrayed by Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas, leading to chaotic consequences. The supporting cast includes Parker Posey, Steve Buscemi, and Tom Waits.
