The 2026 Cannes Film Festival was a bit quieter than usual—there were fewer Hollywood blockbusters, some so-so work from respected directors, and a few genuinely confusing films. But out of the 24 movies I saw during my week on the Croisette (including 15 of the 22 films competing for the Palme d’Or), five have stuck with me: gripping thrillers, wild comedies, and a heartwarming coming-of-age epic. Here are the ones to watch in the coming months.

Fjord
Photo: Cannes Film Festival

The only film at this year’s Cannes that really packed a punch for me was Cristian Mungiu’s icy thriller. He’s a previous Palme d’Or winner, and this one follows a couple—Romanian Mihai Gheorghiu (a completely transformed Sebastian Stan) and his Norwegian wife, Lisbet (the always great Renate Reinsve)—who move to the remote fjords of her homeland with their five kids. As the temperature drops and snow piles up, what seemed like a peaceful rural life turns dark: the community that first welcomed them grows suspicious of their devout Christianity. When their oldest daughter, Elia (Vanessa Ceban), shows up at school with strange bruises, assumptions are made, and Norway’s strict child protection laws quickly tear all five children from their parents.

In the fight to get them back, there are no clear heroes or villains. Mungiu gives a clear-eyed look at the troubled Gheorghius, especially the bristling Mihai, whose strict, disciplinarian parenting style isn’t likely to change. Meanwhile, the people enforcing these bureaucratic rules might seem cold, but they’re just doing their jobs in a country where adults can sue the state for not protecting them as kids. This movie is full of stunning shots, quietly heartbreaking performances, and plenty to think about regarding immigration, parenting, progressive values, and navigating cultural differences. It’s a detailed, complex slow burn—maybe too slow at times—but it stays with you like no other. Mungiu, who won the festival’s top prize in 2007 for the Romanian abortion drama 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, could be in for more awards glory this time.

Minotaur
Photo: Cannes Film Festival

Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev hasn’t made a film in nearly a decade. His last two were the politically charged Oscar nominees Leviathan and Loveless, which won Cannes’ best-screenplay award and Jury Prize, respectively. So expectations were high for his first project since Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine. It more than delivers: a precise, intricately observed, richly detailed story set in 2022 about Gleb (Dmitriy Mazurov), a well-connected provincial CEO who finds himself under pressure from all sides. His beautiful wife, Galina (Iris Lebedeva), seems to be having an affair. At work, he’s forced to make a list of his most expendable staff members, who will then be drafted into the army. As he cooks up a nasty scheme that benefits him and exploits the most vulnerable in his community, he also finds time to have his wife followed. Then, about halfway through, a sudden burst of violence reveals Gleb’s true colors in an extraordinary way.

Gripping and substantial, Minotaur shows a master at work. In the film’s final moments, it lays bare the hypocrisy of a generation of oligarchs dining at fancy restaurants and hopping between islands in Europe while their poorer countrymen fight their wars. The effect is deeply chilling and raises the question: isn’t it about time Zvyagintsev won the Palme d’Or?

Club Kid
Photo: Adam Newport-Berra

Feel-good comedies aren’t usually what Cannes is known for, but Jordan Firstman’s lively feature debut breaks the mold—and took the Croisette by storm. The I Love LA and RottingIn Club Kid, the director, writer, and star delivers what feels like a classic heartwarming story set in today’s New York City club scene. The main character is Peter, a struggling party boy who’s lost himself in a haze of late nights, heavy drug use, and casual hookups while running a popular monthly club night. His chaotic life is shaken up when Arlo (Reggie Absolom), a 10-year-old British boy who turns out to be the son Peter never knew about, shows up. Suddenly forced to take care of him, the two form an awkward at first, then genuinely hilarious comedy duo—Peter fumbles through his new responsibilities while Arlo dives headfirst into his father’s wild world.

The big laughs are balanced with a warmth that sometimes feels a bit too sentimental or clichéd, but the film’s gentle, bittersweet ending is almost guaranteed to win you over. After a heated bidding war, A24 has secured Club Kid. (And could there be a more perfect A24 movie?) Expect it to be a huge hit when it finally hits theaters.

Full Phil
Photo: Courtesy Cannes Film Festival

A wild, twisted, and absurd mashup of Emily in Paris and The White Lotus, Quentin Dupieux’s one-hour-and-18-minute nightmare won’t appeal to everyone, but I had a blast watching it. A gleeful Kristen Stewart spends the entire film devouring every food item in sight as Madeleine, the irritable 30-something daughter of Woody Harrelson’s Phil. He’s brought her to Paris to reconnect, but various obstacles get in the way—from Madeleine’s bathroom habits to an overly enthusiastic hotel employee (Charlotte Le Bon) who may or may not have a crush on her. Oh, and the more Madeleine eats, the more Phil’s stomach swells. Every scene—riots sweeping the city, an absurdly over-the-top dinner, a chaotic impromptu after-party—is a delightfully crazy treat, and a few had me doubled over with laughter. There’s some unnecessary filler, like a story within the story involving Emma Mackey and a hideous sea monster (don’t ask), plus a deliberately awkward and off-putting script, but honestly, when a film is having this much fun, who cares?

Congo Boy
Photo: © 2026 – Makongo Films – Unité – Kiripifilms – Karta Film – Canal+

This beautifully shot, energetically soundtracked portrait of a teenage Congolese refugee, Robert (the incredibly charismatic Bradley Fiomona, who was, amazingly, discovered through street casting), is a rare gem. Struggling to get by in the politically tense city of Bangui, in the war-torn Central African Republic just across the border from his homeland, our hero spends his days trying to free his wrongfully imprisoned parents and looking after his younger siblings. But at night, the music-obsessed amateur singer hits the clubs, occasionally performs on stage, and dreams of making it big. In this tight epic, sporadic gunfire meets pounding beats, and heart-stopping terror gives way to pure joy. Like many early films, it sometimes over-explains and oversimplifies things. But there are just as many moments where director Rafiki Fariala—only 28 years old and making an impressive fiction feature debut here—walks a tonal tightrope, capturing the contradictions of being young and ambitious in a turbulent country. The joyful, life-affirming result had me dancing out of the cinema.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on your experience of seeing 24 movies at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and picking the five best

BeginnerLevel Questions

Q How did you manage to see 24 movies at Cannes That seems like a lot
A It takes a strict schedule I planned my days from morning to night skipped most parties and used the festivals accreditation to hop between screenings

Q Is it normal for someone to see that many films at Cannes
A Yes for critics journalists or hardcore cinephiles seeing 20 films over 12 days is common For general attendees 812 is more typical

Q What does it mean to say these five were the best Did they win awards
A Not necessarily Best is my personal opinion based on storytelling performances and emotional impact Some may have won awards but others were just my favorites

Q How do you pick which movies to see out of hundreds
A I focus on directors I love buzz from early reviews and genres I enjoy I also leave room for a few random picks

Advanced Questions

Q How do you avoid burnout or fatigue when watching backtoback films for 12 days
A I take short breaks between screenings stay hydrated and avoid heavy meals I also skip films with poor early wordofmouth to save energy for better ones

Q What common problems did you face when trying to see 24 movies
A Long queues soldout screenings scheduling conflicts and sometimes falling asleep during slowpaced films I also missed a few I really wanted to see

Q Can you give an example of a film that was a surprise hit among your top five
A Yes there was a small quiet drama from a firsttime director that had no big stars It ended up being the most emotionally powerful film I saw

Q What practical tips would you give someone trying to replicate this experience
A Book tickets as early as possible bring snacks and a portable charger and always have a backup film in mind Also dont be afraid to leave a movie if its not working for youtime is precious