The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to take over the city from September 4–14, 2025. For 11 days, downtown Toronto will be alive with red carpets, world premieres, and unforgettable moments as filmmakers, actors, and film lovers from around the globe gather to celebrate cinema. Whether you’re here for the star power, the groundbreaking stories, or the magic of seeing a film before anyone else, this year’s lineup has something for everyone.
Read on for our top 10 must-see picks and where you can catch them during the Festival.
How to Buy TIFF Tickets:
Individual tickets will be available soon, first to TIFF Members, then to the public. Becoming a member gives you early access to festival pre-sale tickets. Festival tickets will go on sale to the general public on August 25.
Where films will be screening:
- TIFF Bell Lightbox – 350 King St W
- Roy Thomson Hall – 60 Simcoe St
- Scotiabank Theatre Toronto – 259 Richmond St W
- Princess of Wales Theatre – 300 King St W
- Royal Alexandra Theatre – 260 King St W
Frankenstein – Guillermo del Toro
Featuring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth
World premiere & Gala screening: Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited passion project reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic with a deeply emotional, human focus. Shot largely in Toronto, this gothic tale follows Victor Frankenstein and his creation in a story that blurs the line between humanity and monstrosity.
Featuring: Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley
Canadian premiere: Academy Award–winning director Chloé Zhao adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel about William and Agnes Shakespeare as they navigate the loss of their young son. A tender, intimate portrait of love, grief, and the creative shadow of Hamlet.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – Rian Johnson
Featuring: Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott
World premiere: Detective Benoit Blanc returns in a darker, Poe-inspired instalment of Rian Johnson’s hit mystery series. Set in a small church town, this twisty tale promises suspense, an all-star cast, and unexpected turns at every corner.
The Smashing Machine – Benny Safdie
Featuring: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt
North American premiere: Dwayne Johnson delivers a transformative dramatic performance as MMA legend Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, this biographical sports drama explores the highs and lows of fame, addiction, and personal struggle.
Sentimental Value – Joachim Trier
Featuring: Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve
Canadian premiere: Cannes’ Grand Prix winner blends razor-sharp humour with moving family drama. A washed-up filmmaker reconnects with his estranged daughters while staging an autobiographical comeback, forcing old wounds and shifting loyalties into the open.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You – Mary Bronstein
Featuring: Rose Byrne, Christian Slater, Conan O’Brien
Special Presentation: Rose Byrne stars as a mother pushed to the brink by her daughter’s mysterious illness, an absent husband, and a bizarre therapist. Mary Bronstein’s acclaimed drama offers an unflinching look at modern motherhood.
Featuring: Sydney Sweeney, Katy O’Brien
Gala screening: Sydney Sweeney transforms into trailblazing boxer Christy Martin in this gritty biopic about resilience, identity, and survival in and out of the ring. Directed by David Michôd, Christy delivers a powerful punch on and off the screen.
No Other Choice – Park Chan-wook
Featuring: Lee Byung Hun
Canadian premiere: From the director of Oldboy comes a darkly comic thriller about a man’s ruthless plan to secure a coveted job after being fired. Park Chan-wook blends workplace satire, black humour, and razor-sharp suspense.
Sound of Falling – Mascha Schilinski
Featuring: Johanna Wokalek, Lilith Stangenberg
Canadian premiere: Winner of the Cannes Jury Prize, this haunting folk-horror spans four generations of girls on a German farm, weaving together eerie echoes of violence, memory, and fate across decades.
Mile End Kicks – Chandler Levack
Featuring: Barbie Ferreira
World premiere: A Montreal-set rom-com about music, messy love triangles, and self-discovery. Chandler Levack’s heartfelt ode to the city’s indie scene follows a young writer who falls for two members of the same band.
One of the best parts of TIFF’s 50th anniversary? The excitement doesn’t stop at the theatre. After the credits roll, you might just bump into your favourite stars around the city. Check out Where to Spot Celebrities at TIFF 2025: 50th Anniversary Edition for the ultimate insider guide.