The Toronto International Film Festival returns September 4 to 14, 2025, for it’s 50th anniversary!
Here’s The TV Watercooler’s roundup of fifteen films worth checking out at the festival (should you be fortunate enough to score some tickets) or keep an eye out for when they hit theatres or streaming services.
To score rush tickets, visit https://tiff.net/schedule and select the film title.
Hamlet
Aneil Karia reunites with his The Long Goodbye (2020 short) star Riz Ahmed for a bold reinvention of Hamlet set in present-day London’s South Asian community.
Hamnet
Chloé Zhao (Nomadland and the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot pilot) directs Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley in a drama about William Shakespeare and his family, as seen through the eyes of his wife Agnes.
Mile End Kicks
I Like Movies’ Chandler Levack returns with a romantic comedy about Grace, a young music critic who moves to Montreal to learn more about life and love as she falls for members of an indie band. Stars Barbie Ferreira and Jay Baruchel.
Good Fortune
Aziz Ansari directs, writes, and stars alongside Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Sandra Oh, and Keke Palmer in this comedy about the angel Gabriel who meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker and a wealthy venture capitalist.
Bad Apples
Saoirse Ronan plays a struggling primary teacher who begins to make some questionable decisions after one of her students is injured.
Homebound
From exec producer Martin Scorsese and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan (Made in Heaven, Sacred Games), the bond between two childhood friends becomes strained as they both pursue police work in a politically divided India. Stars Ishaan Khatter, Janvhi Kappor, and Vishal Jethwa.
Obsession
An audience still riding high off of Weapons, you may want to check out Midnight Madness’ Obsession – Curry Barker’s freaky debut, where a hopeless romantic makes a wish that his long-time crush falls in love with him.
Rental Family
The Whale’s Brendan Fraser returns in director HIKARI’s (37 Seconds) new film about an American actor in Tokyo who becomes a professional surrogate in Tokyo.
Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s take on Mary Shelley’s gothic oeuvre finds Oscar Isaac as a brilliant but egotistical scientist brings his creature to life – in the form of Jacob Elordi. Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz also star.
Eleanor the Great
In Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, after a devastating loss, witty and proudly troublesome Eleanor Morgenstein (June Squibb) tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own.
Tuner
A meticulous piano tuner turns his life upside down after cracking safes. Stars Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman.
Sentimental Value
Winner of the Grand Prix at this year’s Cannes festival, Stellan Skarsgård stars in Joachim Trier’s moving drama about a director’s bid to revive his career and repair his family through art. Rentate Reinsve and Elle Fanning also star.
Dinner With Friends
Sasha Leigh Henry (Bria Mack Gets A Life) reunites eight longtime friends who meet up for dinner parties to share in the joys and pains of being adults today, complete with surprise announcements and hurt feelings.
Degrassi: Whatever It Takes
A nostalgic look at the groundbreaking Canadian teen series featuring the show’s stars, creators, and superfans – including Drake, Kevin Smith, Stefan Brogen, Amanda Stepto, and Stacie Mistysyn.
Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery
From director Ally Pankiw (I Used To Be Funny) and producer Dan Levy, go behind the scenes of Sarah McLachlan’s legendary music festival featuring interviews with Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Paula Cole, Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls, Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, and Olivia Rodrigo.
