Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup Unveiled: Must-See Films to Spark Your Curiosity

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup has finally been revealed, igniting excitement among cinephiles worldwide. This year’s selection, announced on April 10, promises a dazzling array of films from visionary directors and rising stars alike.

Running from May 13 to 24, the 78th edition of the festival is set to deliver unforgettable cinematic experiences, with a mix of bold narratives, star-studded casts, and thought-provoking themes. From Wes Anderson’s quirky spy thriller to Julia Ducournau’s highly anticipated follow-up to Titane, here’s everything you need to know about what’s coming to the Croisette.

What Films Are Competing for the Palme d’Or?

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup for the main competition features 19 films vying for the prestigious Palme d’Or, showcasing a blend of established auteurs and fresh voices. Wes Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme, a spy comedy thriller starring Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton. Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, a drama about the making of Godard’s Breathless, stars Zooey Deutch and feels tailor-made for Cannes’ French sensibilities.

Julia Ducournau, fresh off her 2021 Palme d’Or win for Titane, brings Alpha, featuring Tahar Rahim and Golshifteh Farahani. Ari Aster makes his competition debut with Eddington, a dark comedy boasting Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone. Other highlights include Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value with Renate Reinsve and Kelly Reichardt’s art-heist tale The Mastermind, starring Josh O’Connor.

Six female directors shine in the competition, including Carla Simón (Romería), Hafsia Herzi (La Petite Dernière), and Chie Hayakawa (Renoir). The Dardenne Brothers’ The Young Mother’s Home and Jafar Panahi’s secretive A Simple Accident add depth to a lineup that festival director Thierry Frémaux says reflects “a world full of violence and tension, but also love and humanity.”

Which Stars Will Light Up the Red Carpet?

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup guarantees a glamorous parade of A-listers. Tom Cruise headlines the Out of Competition section with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, promising jaw-dropping stunts on May 14. Denzel Washington joins Spike Lee for Highest 2 Lowest, another Out of Competition gem, ensuring a double dose of Hollywood royalty.

In the competition, expect to see Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal in Oliver Hermanus’ WWI romance The History of Sound, alongside Eddington’s ensemble of Phoenix, Stone, and Pedro Pascal. Scarlett Johansson and Harris Dickinson make their directorial debuts in Un Certain Regard with Eleanor the Great and Urchin, respectively, doubling as actors and filmmakers to watch.

Juliette Binoche, presiding over the jury, will bring her signature elegance, while Robert De Niro receives an Honorary Palme d’Or at the opening ceremony, adding gravitas to an already star-packed event.

What’s Special About the Opening Film?

For the first time in Cannes history, a debut feature will open the festival. Amélie

Bonnin’s Partir Un Jour (Leave One Day), a bittersweet French comedy-drama, kicks off the Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup on May 13. Starring Juliette Armanet as a woman chasing her dream of opening a gourmet restaurant, only to be pulled back home by a family emergency, the film blends humor and heart.

Selected from a record 2,909 submissions, Bonnin’s film sets a fresh tone, signaling Cannes’ commitment to nurturing new talent alongside its celebration of cinema giants.

What Other Sections Should You Watch?

Beyond the main competition, the Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup offers riches in other sections. Un Certain Regard highlights bold, innovative works, including Johansson’s and Dickinson’s directorial bows. Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, a political thriller set during Brazil’s 1970s dictatorship, stars Wagner Moura and promises gripping drama.

Cannes Premiere features heavyweights like Fatih Akin’s Amrum with Diane Kruger and Kirill Serebrennikov’s The Disappearance of Josef Mengele. Out of Competition screenings include Rebecca Zlotowski’s Vie Privée with Jodie Foster, ensuring diverse storytelling for every taste.

The Cinéfondation section, focusing on student films, awards grants to emerging directors, reinforcing Cannes’ role as a launchpad for tomorrow’s visionaries.

Why Does This Lineup Matter?

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup arrives at a time when cinema continues to evolve, grappling with global issues and technological shifts. Frémaux noted that the selected films embody “revolt, contradiction, and universal values,” reflecting our turbulent world. With 32% of competition films directed by women—a notable step toward parity—the festival underscores its commitment to diversity.

Cannes remains a cultural beacon, setting the stage for awards season. Last year’s Palme d’Or winner, Anora, swept the Oscars, and this year’s contenders like Alpha and Sentimental Value are already generating buzz for 2026 accolades.

Some Closing Thoughts:

As the Cannes Film Festival 2025 Lineup takes shape, anticipation builds for a celebration of cinema that’s both glamorous and groundbreaking. From Palme d’Or hopefuls to star-driven spectacles, this year’s Croisette promises moments that will linger long after the credits roll.

Mark your calendars for May 13–24, and get ready to dive into a world of stories that challenge, inspire, and entertain.