Cannes 2025 Lineup: Official Selection, Highlights & Surprises
The Cannes 2025 lineup is finally here — and it’s one for the history books. From debut directors to returning legends, the 78th Cannes Film Festival promises a powerful mix of art, stardom, and cinematic boldness.
The festival will take place from May 13 to 24, 2025, with French filmmaker Juliette Binoche serving as Jury President. Kicking things off is Amelie Bonnin’s debut film, Leave One Day — a tender story that opens the competition on a fresh and hopeful note.
To add to the excitement, acting legend Robert De Niro will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or, celebrating a lifetime of iconic performances and cultural impact.
Big Names in the Main Competition
The competition slate in the Cannes 2025 lineup is stacked with bold choices and big returns:
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Wes Anderson brings The Phoenician Scheme, a quirky adventure packed with his signature style.
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Julia Ducournau, following her Palme d’Or-winning Titane, returns with Alpha — a body-horror film rumored to push boundaries even further.
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Ari Aster and A24 deliver Eddington, a haunting tale already buzzing as the year’s must-watch horror.
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Richard Linklater throws a curveball with Nouvelle Vague, a tribute to the French film movement with a modern twist.
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Jafar Panahi’s In Simple Accident continues his quiet rebellion through cinema.
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Kelly Reichardt rounds out the list with The Mastermind, a minimalist thriller set in the American Midwest.
Each film promises something different, reflecting the festival’s commitment to variety, depth, and international voices.
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Rising Stars and Bold Debuts
The Un Certain Regard sidebar brings exciting new talent to the spotlight:
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Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, a character-driven drama that’s already drawing early praise.
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Harris Dickinson, best known as an actor, surprises with Urchin, a gritty, poetic portrait of coastal youth.
These titles add fresh perspective to the Cannes 2025 lineup, proving that new voices are just as vital as veteran directors.
Hollywood Glitz Out of Competition
Hollywood continues to make its presence known outside the official competition:
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Tom Cruise returns to Cannes with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, a high-octane farewell to the beloved franchise.
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Jodie Foster stars in Vie Privée, a romantic drama steeped in nostalgia and secrets.
Both films promise crowd-pleasing moments without compromising on emotional depth.
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Thought-Provoking Premieres and Midnight Madness
In the Cannes Premiere section, Kirill Serebrennikov stirs controversy with The Disappearance of Josef Mengele, a haunting drama based on true events.
Special Screenings and Midnight Shows crank up the curiosity:
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Stories of Surrender follows Bono as he turns his memoir into a cinematic experience.
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Sons of the Neon Night by Mak Juno brings noir energy to the neon-lit chaos of modern Hong Kong.
These entries offer the perfect blend of intrigue, innovation, and edge.
A Festival to Watch — and Remember
From Wes Anderson’s stylized schemes to Scarlett Johansson’s first steps behind the camera, the Cannes 2025 lineup is a bold celebration of cinema’s future and its rich past.
Whether you’re a film buff, a casual viewer, or a Hollywood watcher, this year’s festival has something to offer everyone.
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