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Over 75 motion pictures and episodic sequence are coming into this yr’s Sundance in search of a house, and it will likely be the final time they discover that dwelling within the confines of Park Metropolis, Utah.
This would be the final yr that motion pictures are found within the Eccles or the Library, and for these movies which can be, it is going to really feel additional particular after they land distribution offers and in the future discover audiences past Park Metropolis.
Whereas many movies had been title dropped to us in the middle of our reporting on the competition, these 20 stood out. Whereas one or two could land an 8-figure deal from a streamer or different purchaser seeking to make a splash, the remaining should still take weeks after the competition to shut or will go to smaller distributors for a distinct segment market. That doesn’t make any of them much less worthy of patrons’ consideration.
Sundance runs from January 22 – February 1, 2026, in individual in Park Metropolis and Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, with the at-home program accessible on-line from January 29 – February 1, 2026, for audiences nationwide.
Movies offered in alphabetical order.
“Carousel” (U.S. Dramatic)
Rachel Lambert, the director of “Typically I Assume About Dying,” returns to Sundance with this romantic drama starring Chris Pine and Jenny Slate that has a quintessential Sundance vibe and will play nicely with crowds.
“Chasing Summer time” (Premieres)
Comic Iliza Shlesinger wrote and stars on this movie that’s the third characteristic from director Josephine Decker (“Madeline’s Madeline,” “Shirley”), and the movie has the vibe of a sensible, humorous, private, and heartwarming story from a stand-up comedian about to have a breakout second.
“Cookie Queens” (Household Matinee)
Everybody loves Woman Scout Cookies! Even Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, who’re govt producers on this documentary that’s by far essentially the most business doc on the slate. Director Alysa Nahmias was talked about a number of occasions to us as a uncommon household title that might pique purchaser curiosity.
“Gail Daughtry and the Movie star Intercourse Go” (Premieres)
“Gail Daughtry” is David Wain’s first characteristic since 2018, however it’s additionally a reunion between him and Ken Marino, who wrote and co-stars on this movie a few lady whose fiancé makes good on a celeb corridor move hook up, inspiring her to do the identical. The forged of comedy icons is predictably stacked for a Wain movie, together with Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm, and John Slattery, and that one supply described to us as “the funniest film round.”
“The Gallerist” (Premieres)
After directing “Birds of Prey” and an episode of “Succession,” Cathy Yan goes again to her indie movie roots with this comedy and thriller starring Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Sterling Ok. Brown, and one in every of three Charli xcx roles. MRC produced this movie and shouldn’t have any hassle discovering it a house and an expensive sale.
“Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!” (U.S. Dramatic)
Rinko Kikuchi stars on this drama from director Josef Kubota Wladyka a few lady competing in ballroom dance competitions in Tokyo. The outline of it as enjoyable and energetic but in addition a few lady coping with grief had one supply evaluate it to Sebastián Lelio breakout movie “Gloria.”
“Hanging by a Wire” (World Documentary)
“Hanging by a Wire” could possibly be this yr’s “Skywalkers,” the high-flying, worldwide documentary that sparks an enormous deal from a streamer. Director Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s movie makes use of drone footage and re-enactments to inform the story of eight passengers dangling from a cable automotive over a ravine after a wire snaps.
“The Historical past of Concrete” (Premieres)
Is John Wilson’s “The Historical past of Concrete” basically an prolonged episode of “The right way to”? Maybe, however that’s high quality with us, and as a mix of satire and documentary, it ought to entice an eclectic group of patrons. Having Josh Safdie as an govt producer shouldn’t harm.
“I Need Your Intercourse” (Premieres)
Horny, provocative, and trendy, to not point out the opposite gross sales title starring Charli xcx, Gregg Araki’s eleventh journey to Sundance ought to land him one more sale. The movie stars Cooper Hoffman, Olivia Wilde, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, and Daveed Diggs.
“The Invite” (Premieres)
It feels nearly unimaginable {that a} film directed by Olivia Wilde and starring a stacked forged of Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton and written by Will McCormick and Rashida Jones, might truly be in the marketplace in search of a sale. However this FilmNation title discovered funding independently and gave Wilde the liberty to make the movie she wished, together with taking pictures the story chronologically. The movie is a marital chamber drama that could possibly be too starry for a studio to disregard.
“Josephine” (U.S. Dramatic)
The second characteristic from director Beth de Araújo, “Josephine” ought to make her a director to look at. Her debut characteristic “Comfortable & Quiet” received picked up by Blumhouse out of SXSW. This newest one options Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan as dad and mom caught in an unattainable scenario, and regardless of giving dramatic performances that stretch their vary, the pair are stated to knock it out of the park.
“Knife: The Tried Homicide of Salman Rushdie” (Premieres)
Alex Gibney all the time sparks intrigue from non-fiction followers, and his newest in regards to the assassination try towards Salman Rushdie is claimed to be harrowing due to the beforehand unseen footage surrounding the assault and his rehab.
“The Lake” (U.S. Documentary)
Leonardo DiCaprio simply got here on board as an govt producer of this environmental catastrophe movie. The logline will make it sound exhausting, however a supply tells us the documentary is a shocking mix of religion and science with even a hopeful ending that factors to the potential for change.
“The Final First: Winter K2” (Premieres)
Transfer over, “Free Solo.” This movie in regards to the try to summit K2 in Asia is the most recent most harmful accomplishment in mountaineering. Amir Bar-Lev’s movie isn’t just about climbing however about influencer tradition and the way that has resulted in some climbers getting killed.
“See You Once I See You” (Premieres)
Director Jay Duplass assembled a forged that features Sundance favourite Cooper Raiff, David Duchovny, Kaitlyn Dever, and Hope Davis for this household dramedy a few comedy author battling PTSD, all based mostly on screenwriter Adam Cayton-Holland’s personal memoir.
“The Shitheads” (Premieres)
“The Shitheads” is an irreverent comedy and late night time film with a powerful forged that includes Dave Franco, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Mason Thames. Macon Blair, who received at Sundance in 2017 for his debut “I Don’t Really feel at Dwelling in This World Anymore,” wrote and directed the comedy about two guys employed to deliver a wealthy teen to rehab earlier than all of it shortly goes unsuitable.
“Soul Patrol” (U.S. Documentary)
One other doc with lots of business potential although it’s not a celebrity-driven doc, “Soul Patrol” is in regards to the first all-Black particular ops unit to serve in Vietnam, and extremely, the whole unit remains to be alive to inform their story at the moment. The movie is directed by J.M. Harper, who made his debut on 2024’s “As We Converse.”
“The Weight” (Premieres)
With Ethan Hawke within the Oscars race, “The Weight” is arriving at simply the best time. The movie is a Melancholy-era thriller and crime drama from director Padraic McKinley and is anticipated to be one of many extra commercially viable style movies accessible in the marketplace.
“Wicker” (Premieres)
Within the race for one of many weirder premises of the competition, “Wicker” has been described to us as very enjoyable and with a peculiar tone. It stars Olivia Colman as a fisherwoman who orders a husband — as performed by Alexander Skarsgård — made out of a wicker basket. It’d simply be ok to chop via the noise and rise to the highest.
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