Top TIFF Picks: 26 Titles to Watch at the 2026 Festival

With the Toronto International Film Festival quickly approaching, it’s time to get ready for another year of buzzy premieres and star-studded red carpets, as thousands of film enthusiasts gather in the heart of the city to celebrate a shared love of cinema. 

The full TIFF schedule dropped earlier this week, and the 2026 edition of the festival features 293 titles from around the world. In our curated guide to this year’s official selections, you’ll find stories of driven, complex women, portraits of musical icons like Darlene Love and Lisa, moving romantic and family dramas, and so much more. 

With stars like Margaret Qualley, Cynthia Erivo, Julianne Moore, Rebel Wilson, and Chase Infiniti at the forefront, and plenty of exceptional women behind the camera, there is so much talent to take in amongst our TIFF 2026 picks.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 10-20. Tickets are available to TIFF members starting August 21, and to the public starting on August 31. 

Read on to see our top 26 picks to see at TIFF 2026:

Always Lalisa – dir. Sue Kim

This intimate documentary traces the journey of global superstar Lisa—from her childhood dance competitions, to her breakout in the K-pop group BLACKPINK, to the creation of her own label and forays into the Western market. With interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes footage, Always Lalisa is the story of a superstar’s dedication to carving her own path. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 11, Sept. 12, Sept. 18, Sept. 20

Babies – dir. Lauren Miller Rogen

Anna Kendrick and Seth Rogen lead this relatable comedy about a dilemma that nearly every long-term couple encounters—should we have children? When a friend with a young daughter comes to stay with them, this on-the-fence couple witnesses the joys and sorrows of parenting up front. This all-star cast also includes Issa Rae, Dan Stevens, Sharon Stone, and David Strathairn. More info.

Public Screenings: Sept. 12, Sept. 13, Sept. 18

Being Heumann – dir. Siân Heder

Opening the festival this year is Being Heumann, the latest from Siân Heder, the Oscar-winning director of CODA. This inspiring historical drama tells the true story of activist Judy Heumann, also known as “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement”, as she rallies hundreds of Americans with disabilities to fight for their rights. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 10, Sept. 12, Sept. 17, Sept. 19

Cheyenne – dir. Taimi Arvidson

For the first time in nearly 100 years, the American rodeo circuit opened up a women’s competition for bucking broncos. This documentary follows four fearless cowgirls who enter the arena with something to prove, pushing themselves to their mental and physical limits to win a spot at the ultimate showdown: Cheyenne Frontier Days. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 15, Sept. 20

Gentle Monster – dir. Marie Kreutzer

Léa Seydoux stars in Gentle Monster, an emotional exploration of the monstrosity in our own homes. Soon after her move to the countryside with her husband and their young son, experimental pianist Lucy has her world turned upside down by a police visit. Her husband is arrested, and as the case against him grows, Lucy must face the horror of what he may have done—and whether her son is involved. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 14, Sept. 16, Sept. 19, Sept. 20

Girl Group – dir. Rebel Wilson

When pop star Tassie Young leaves her hit band to attempt a solo career, she goes on a downward spiral that ends in her mentoring a group of young girls, eager to be in the spotlight themselves. With an incredible soundtrack and a cast of both established entertainers and fresh faces, Rebel Wilson writes, directs and stars in this story of a jaded popstar finding new purpose. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 11, Sept. 12, Sept. 17, Sept. 19

Love of Your Life – dir. Rachel Morrison

This sweeping romance starring Margaret Qualley follows one woman’s journey of love, loss, and letting go. After a chance encounter with Charlie, Maya falls in love, setting into motion a future she never imagined. But when her relationship falls apart, she hurtles towards a new life and love abroad—one that forces her to reckon with who she really is. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 14, Sept. 19

Magazine – dir. Alexandra Pechman

Set in New York’s 2011 literary scene, Magazine is the story of a young poet who becomes entangled in a world of gatekeeping, office politics, and desire. Nora (Lily McInerny) begins an internship at a literary journal, and must learn to navigate the snobbery and power dynamics of her new workplace, all while crushing on the older associate editor who seems to know everything about the literary scene. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 11, Sept. 13, Sept. 18

Prima Facie – dir. Susanna White

Cynthia Erivo gives a powerhouse performance in this piercing legal drama, adapted from Suzie Miller’s globally acclaimed one-woman show. Tessa is an ambitious barrister with a successful career in defending people accused of sex crimes. But her life is turned upside down when she’s sexually assaulted and must experience the merciless and misogynistic legal system firsthand.  More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 14, Sept. 18, Sept. 19

Rapinoe – dir. Rebeca Huntt

This bold portrait of Megan Rapinoe catches the trailblazing US soccer star at the end of her professional career, as she looks back on her hard-won victories both on and off the pitch. From coming out as queer despite pressures to stay closeted, to using her platform to advocate for equal pay, Rapinoe redefines what it means to be a champion. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 10, Sept. 11, Sept. 20

The Debut – dir. Jesse Eisenberg 

Julianne Moore stars in this dark comedy about Mona, a bored suburban housewife who finds purpose when she’s cast in a community theatre production. Pushed to her limits by Jerry, the hard-headed theatre director, Mona obsesses over nailing her first performance.  More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 14, Sept. 17

The Julia Set – dir. Niki Byrne

In The Julia Set, Chase Infiniti stars as a gifted university student who is recruited by a teaching assistant to train for the most prestigious mathematics competition in North America. As tensions rise and the competition approaches, romance stirs between them. Christopher Briney, Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs, Nina Hoss, and Chloe Bailey co-star in this coming-of-age drama. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 11, Sept. 12, Sept. 19, Sept. 20

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives – dir. Daniel Oriahi

Some of Nigeria’s finest talents come together in this sharp, funny exploration of polygamous family life, infertility, and shifting power dynamics, based on Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel. When Bolanle, the youngest of his four wives, cannot conceive, the fragile balance in Baba Segi’s household is upended. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, deep wounds and devastating consequences are revealed. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 11, Sept. 13, Sept. 19

Up Against It – dir. Trudie Styler

This clever comedy centres on Álvaro (Antonio Banderas) and Saffron (Eva Birthistle)—a divorced couple with a mutual disdain so strong that they can barely keep up the communication required to co-parent their beloved daughter, Rose. But when they discover that Rose has a rare form of cancer, and her best shot at survival is for the ex-couple to have another child, they may have no choice but to sleep together again. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 17, Sept. 18, Sept. 19

Canadian Titles:

All That She Wants – dir. Scarlett Bermingham & Andrew Rhymer

Annie Murphy stars in this Toronto-based modern rom-com about a casual encounter between Emma, a millennial woman, and Luke, a Gen Z man, and the life-altering consequences that follow. After her hookup with Luke, Emma decides she wants children, but Luke keeps reappearing in her life. Could he be her sperm donor, or perhaps something more? More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 15, Sept. 19, Sept. 20

Ba’s Book – dir. Ashley Duong

In Ba’s Book, documentary filmmaker Ashley Duong adapts her father’s memoir, a series of letters he wrote to her recounting his experiences of the Vietnam War and Iranian Revolution. Recruiting family members as cast and crew, Ashley travels back to her ancestral village in Vietnam to bring her father’s memoir to life in this disarming look at memory and the intergenerational legacy of war. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 15, Sept. 17, Sept. 19

Carrie – dir. Mike Flanagan

More than 50 years after the release of Stephen King’s classic novel, this eight-episode television adaptation reinvents the iconic coming-of-age horror story. Sheltered by her fiercely protective mother and thrust into the unforgiving humiliations of high school, Carrie is forced to navigate the pressure of adolescence in the age of social media…as something begins to awaken within her. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 18, Sept. 19, Sept. 20

Closing Night – dir. Cody Fern

After decades of silence, an internationally renowned movie star invites her estranged family to the opening night of her Broadway play. Chaos ensues and old wounds resurface in this equally entertaining and reflective drama, starring Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Toby Wallace, Odessa A’zion, and Dianne Wiest. More info.

Public Screenings: Sept. 12, Sept. 13

Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been – dir. Barry Avrich

This high-spirited documentary honours an underappreciated musical icon, also known as the Queen of Christmas. Now in her 80s, Darlene Love shares her journey to the spotlight, filled with triumphs and heartbreaks. Alongside archival clips and performances, listen as friends like Cher, Dionne Warwick, and Bruce Springsteen sing Love’s praises. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 14, Sept. 15, Sept. 19

How We Stand – dir. Marie Clements

Inspired by true events and infused with magical realism, humour, and a cast of rising Indigenous actors, this riveting drama is the story of three Indigenous sisters separated by tragedy. How We Stand follows Jessie, Miranda, and Janey 20 years after their separation. These three sisters are on different paths, but each of their lives is shaped by unjust policies created to eradicate Indigenous people. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 15

In the Heart of the South – dir. Nyla Innuksuk

Starring Anna Lambe and Zorga Qaunaq from North of North, this psychological thriller from the director of Slash/Back is a sharp critique of how Canada treats Indigenous artists. Toronto art darling Yura is set to make a new film, leaning into a traumatic story from her youth involving her long-lost childhood friend, Sesi. But when Sesi suddenly reappears in her life, the tension between them grows, and Yura’s psychological state begins to falter. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 10, Sept. 12, Sept. 18

Neverman – dir. Rodrigo Barriuso

In Neverman, Broadway and cabaret star Justin Vivian Bond plays Lucia, a transgender activist who spent her life fighting for gay and trans rights. Now in her old age, with her Alzheimer’s worsening, Lucia finds herself in a transphobic nursing home, struggling to hold on to her memories and fighting to uphold her sense of self. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 14, Sept. 16

Purgatory – dir. Lindsay Lanzillotta

Set in the 1980s, this coming-of-age dramedy centres on Beatrice, a scrappy 13-year-old determined to reunite her separated parents, while also navigating bullies, adolescence, and questions about the Catholic church. Purgatory boasts a stellar cast, including J.K. Simmons, Abby Elliott, John Reynolds, Jack Innanen and Mary Walsh. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 12, Sept. 13

Tangles – dir. Leah Nelson

Adapted from Sarah Leavitt’s graphic memoir, this deeply moving feature comes to life in black-and-white, hand-drawn 2D animation, with a stellar voice cast including Abbi Jacobson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Beanie Feldstein, and Samira Wiley. When her vibrant mother, Midge, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Sarah feels the pull of responsibility as her family struggles to come to terms with the diagnosis. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 16, Sept. 18

Whatcha Want – dir. Mina Shum

Yin is married to an affluent businessman, but she hasn’t seen him in months—he’s back in their native Hong Kong, claiming to be under immense professional stress, while she’s in her new hometown of Vancouver, longing for something more than her life of luxury. When she joins a high-energy dance group, she reignites her childhood passion and discovers what was lost. More info.

Public Screenings: Sept. 12, Sept. 13

YAGA – dir. Kat Sandler

Starring Hudson Williams, Noah Reid, and Carrie-Anne Moss, and based on Kat Sandler’s award-winning play, YAGA is the story of a mysterious disappearance in a small coastal town, as two investigators search for a missing fishery heir and are led to a seductive university professor. Blending horror and mystery, monsters are lurking in the shadows in this new series where everyone seems to have a secret. More info. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 17, Sept. 18