At the end of September, cinephiles from across New York City’s five boroughs (and beyond) will flock to Alice Tully Hull and the surrounding Film at Lincoln Center venues for the 64th New York Film Festival. Here, there are no juries or audience awards, just the best in world cinema and conversations with iconic filmmakers. Of the 70+ feature films screening over the 18-day festival, it’s nearly impossible to pick favorites. But here are some films we’re looking forward to most:
Pedro Pascal studies sheet music as a cellist in Tony Gilroy’s Behemoth!.
Behemoth! – Written and Directed by Tony Gilroy
Perhaps the most high-profile screening of the festival, the Pedro Pascal-led Behemoth! is slated to have its world premiere in New York. Fresh off his hit television show Andor, Gilroy returns to the silver screen to direct his first film in 16 years. Following a cellist through the ups and downs of a tumultuous time in his life, this film should end the debate as to whether or not Pascal can carry a film. An intriguing teaser trailer and stacked cast that includes Eva Victor, Olivia Wilde and Will Arnet give me hope that this will catapult Gilroy (and even Pascal) back into the awards conversation.
Artificial – Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Just when we thought the lineup was solidified, a huge announcement drops revealing Artificial will have its world premiere at the New York Film Festival. In some ways, it’s not a surprise, knowing Guadagnino and the festival have a long history. But despite his last four films playing in New York, he typically opts for a Venice world premiere. NYFF may be benefiting from the film not quite being ready for La Mostra. Long before we even saw a still from the film, it was generating controversy. It follows OpenAI’s co-founder Sam Altman (played by Andrew Garfield) during his messy fracture with the company back in 2023. Amazon MGM dropped the film after signing a massive deal with OpenAI, hinting that Altman and the company are likely portrayed negatively. But we won’t know for sure until audiences emerge from Alice Tully Hall on October 5th.
Tender Loving Care – Written and Directed by Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh’s acclaimed filmography, featuring hits like Secrets & Lies, Topsy Turvy and Vera Drake, adds another this fall as Tender Loving Care makes the rounds at the North American festivals, including a stop in New York. But this one may be Leigh’s last, as the legendary 83-year old director faces health issues. A master of realism, few have been able to embody the authentic human experience on screen quite like Leigh. He brings together a cast of familiar faces like Paul Jesson and Marion Bailey as he delves into the life of a child protective services worker, sure to include his trademark humor and pragmatism. Whether or not this is truly Leigh’s last film, I won’t miss a chance to see the latest work of one of the best to ever do it.
Godzilla towers over a smoke-filled cityscape in key art for Godzilla Minus Zero.
Godzilla Minus Zero – Written and Directed by Takashi Yamazaki
No one expected Godzilla Minus Zero to appear on the slate of New York Film Festival announcements, but the reveal was met with delight across the film community. This isn’t just any premiere, it’s the first time a Toho-produced Godzilla film has premiered outside of Japan in its 70+ year history. Yamazaki’s first entry into the vast Godzilla canon, Godzilla Minus One, received universal acclaim, even earning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. We don’t know much about the new film other than that it’s a direct sequel set two years after the last film, but it’ll most definitely be a spectacle on the glorious screen at Alice Tully Hall.
14th – Directed by Ava DuVernay
A decade after her last documentary 13th premiered at the New York Film Festival and eventually earned her an Academy Award nomination, Ava DuVernay returns with 14th. Similarly to how her previous documentary dissected the ways the 13th Amendment has led to the systematic incarceration of black Americans, her latest takes on the 14th Amendment, analyzing how its core tenants are under attack. She recruits a cast of political powerhouses, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Alex Padilla to Stacey Abrams and Hasan Piker. Premiering a month before a consequential midterm election, the film is sure to make waves.
Possible Love – Written and Directed by Lee Chang-dong
The buzz coming from the 2026 Venice Film Festival is palpable. It’s clear that Possible Love is emerging as one of the best festival debuts of the year, earning raves across the board ahead of its US Premiere at the New York Film Festival. For those familiar with Lee’s work, this comes as no surprise. Poetry, Burning, Secret Sunshine—the man has rarely missed throughout his illustrious career. But he’s often been overlooked in America, especially by awards bodies. Hopefully that ends this year, as his latest has already been chosen as Korea’s entry for Best International Feature Film at next year’s Academy Awards. Either way, it sounds like New York is in for a real treat as the director and cast take their bows on the stage at Alice Tully Hall.
Fjord – Written and Directed by Cristian Mungiu
Fjord is the 10th consecutive Palme d’Or winner to make the trip across the Atlantic to the New York Film Festival. Of those nine previous films, seven have earned Academy Awards nominations and two have won Best Picture. Critics have been more split on it than the Cannes jury was, a sentiment that has continued through Telluride, but it’s hard not to be excited about a film led by the wonderful Renate Reinsve, acting alongside Sebastian Stan. Based on real events, the film follows a Norwegian family thrust into the middle of an abuse scandal. Will Fjord follow in those footsteps of Cannes darlings from years past? New York could make or break its momentum ahead of awards season.
A hazy, blue-lit nightclub crowd fills the frame in a scene from Club Kid.
Club Kid – Written and Directed by Jordan Firstman
Despite not winning a prize, the real critical stud emerging from Cannes this year is Club Kid, which continues its festival circuit this fall with appearances across North America. But Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut is tailor-made for Big Apple audiences as it’s set in the city’s bustling nightclub scene. It follows a washed-up party promoter (played by Firstman) who finds out he has a 10-year-old son he’s now responsible for. The recent trailer release shows real promise, striking a balance between humor and catharsis. Not only is this sure to dazzle audiences in New York, but it could be one of A24’s biggest awards contenders.
Heil Jupiter! – Directed by Carlos Reygadas
A highlight of the Currents section at the festival, which platforms the innovative voices in contemporary film, is the world premiere of Heil Jupiter ! Reygadas has quietly established himself as a mainstay of Latin American cinema, racking up multiple awards at Cannes, including for his celebrated 2007 film Silent Light, which also screened at the New York Film Festival. We don’t know much about his latest film, which reportedly features a divine being observing two young couples, but Reygadas’ previous work alone makes this a can’t-miss event at this year’s festival.
A Statement – Co-Written and Directed by Tom McCarthy
One of the biggest surprises of the lineup drop is the world premiere of McCarthy’s newest film A Statement, which no one had on their radar. McCarthy is best known for films like The Station Agent, The Visitor, and his Best Picture-winning Spotlight, but his last two films have been met with middling reactions. His latest adapts Nathaniel Rich’s novel Losing Earth, telling the true story of a 1980 meeting of climate scientists aimed at crafting a statement about how to curb carbon dioxide emissions. It’s the type of procedural story you could see McCarthy knocking out of the park, finding both the humor and terror in the situation. The all-star cast certainly adds to the excitement, featuring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, John Turturro, Zach Woods, and more.
All of a Sudden – Co-Written and Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Hamaguchi’s Academy Award-winning Drive My Car isn’t just one of the best films of the decade; it’s one of the best of the century. And his follow-up, Evil Does Not Exist, is no slouch either, earning the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. In 2026, Hamaguchi returns to the New York Film Festival with the American premiere of All of a Sudden, which follows a Parisian nursing home director training caregivers on humane treatments for struggling patients. Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto shared the Best Actress prize at Cannes, and the film has already been selected as Japan’s entry for Best International Feature Film at next year’s Academy Awards. Hamaguchi is one of the most proficient directors currently working, so you’re not going to want to miss a chance to see his latest.
Vanessa Redgrave, as Sister Jeanne, appears in a scene from The Devils.
The Devils – Written and Directed by Ken Russell
Who would’ve thought a 50+-year-old film would be one of the most anticipated at this year’s festival? But there haven’t been many films that generated the controversy The Devils did back in 1971, when it earned an X rating, theatrical bans, and protests from the Vatican. The historical thriller follows a priest accused of demonic possession, featuring sexually explicit and violent content that fueled the contentious release. Warner Brothers is opening up the vault for a 4K restoration of Russell’s director’s cut, which will make its 35mm North American premiere at the New York Film Festival. The audience reactions are sure to be almost as entertaining as Olivier Reed’s generational performance.
These ten films barely scratch the surface of everything on offer at the festival. From amazing performances like Sandra Hüller in Rose to groundbreaking documentaries like the legendary William Greaves’ Once Upon a Time in Harlem and Jonathan Glazer’s Joy of Joys, there’s really something for everyone. Check out the full lineup and snag yourself some tickets at filmlinc.org/nyff.
