From “I Play Rocky” to “Tenzing” and “Bucking Fastard”, SHIFTER editor-in-chief Kevin Bourne offers his must-see films from TIFF 2026.
For film fans and film industry types alike, it’s once again the most wonderful time of the year. Well almost. The Toronto International Film Festival is once again upon us as Hollywood descends on Canada’s largest city from September 10-20. TIFF is not only a harbinger of things to come when we enter award season, but it’s a look at the latest in Canadian cinema, including out rising filmmakers.
Here are 10 must-see films from TIFF 2026.
Babies
Starring Seth Rogen and Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick, the Lauren Miller-Rogen written and directed comedy Babies sees long-time husband and wife Aaron and Anna decide whether to become parents or not to become parents.
You already know that Rogen and Kendrick are going to be comedy gold as an onscreen couple, and Rogen also hasn’t missed over the past few years with credits like The Studio and The Invite. Add to that supporting performances from Issa Rae, Dan Stevens, Sharon Stone, and David Strathairn and you have a hit on your hands.
The Debut
Jesse Eisenberg follows his 2024 critically acclaimed and award-winning film A Real Pain with The Debut starring Oscar winner Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti. The dark comedy follows a suburban housewife who escapes her boring life by landing a role in a community theatre production. Pushing her to her limits is theatre director Jerry (Giamatti).
Eisenberg has shown himself to be very capable as a writer and director in the dark comedy genre. With Moore and Giamatti in front of the camera, we already know this is a film that we’ll be hearing more about come award season.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
Set in Texas, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother follows a devout Muslim, family man, and contract killer who tries to leave his shady career behind.
With a complicated character played by an Oscar-winning Mahershala Ali, this has to be a must-see at TIFF 2026.
Sunburn
One thing to look forward to every year at TIFF is its selection of Canadian films. Among them is Serville Poblete‘s Sunburn, set in Toronto’s St. James Town neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, Sunburn sees a group of friends roam the streets as they face a heatwave and power outage.
It’s not everyday that we see films set in Toronto, especially depicting Black or inner city life, so this one is a film to watch.
Once Upon A Time In Harlem
There are many noteworthy documentaries screening at TIFF this year. One that might be overlooked is Once Upon A Time In Harlem. With the Harlem Renaissance having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, the film is as relevant as ever. In a time before social media, live streaming, and reality TV, viewers are allowed to be a fly on the wall at a history making gathering of luminaries from the Harlem Renaissance during a cocktail party at Duke Ellington’s home.
It’s a father-son affair with David Greaves completing the work began by his father William Greaves 50 years ago. If you’re into history and interested in being allowed behind the curtain of a groundbreaking American cultural and intellectual movement, this is one to watch.
Bunker
Penelope Cruz and her real life husband Javier Bardem don’t miss when they work together. The Oscar-winning couple team up once again in Bunker.
Cruz and Bardem play a couple whose relationship and ethics are tested when they receive a proposal from a mysterious billionaire’s proposal.
We were sold with Cruz and Bardem alone, but add to that Oscar-winning writer-director Florian Zeller and this is a film to be excited about.
I Play Rocky
Directed by Peter Farrelly, written by Peter Gamble, and starring Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone, I Play Rocky allows fans a behind the scenes look at the development and production of one of the least likely classics in the history of American cinema – Rocky.
Although Sylvester Stallone will no doubt get the full biopic treatment at some point in the future, a film focused specifically on the behind the scenes of Rocky is a big treat for fans of the franchise. The fact that Toronto actor Stephan James plays Carl Weathers playing Apollo Creed is an added bonus.
Tenzing
Starring Tom Hiddleston, Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, and Genden Phuntsok, Tenzing tells the story of the first people to climb Mount Everest in 1953. Alongside this impressive cast are beautiful landscapes and cinematography as our characters risk their lives battling nature en route to achieving their history making feat.
Voices
Set in Motown era Detroit, Voices sees a group of friends have an encounter with a rising musical act. After an unfortunate accident the friends must assume the group’s identity and their upcoming gig. The musical chamber thriller sees them trying to learn the groups routine and songs in time for their performance.
This is a unique and creative story from Deanté Gray. If you’re a fan of 1960’s music and thrillers, you’ll want to check this one out.
Fjord
TIFF marks the Canadian premiere of Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner Fjord. Starring Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value) and Sebastian Stan (Dumb Money), Cristian Mungiu‘s latest film follows Lisbet (Reinsve) and Mihai Gheorghiu (Stan), a Romanian conservative Christian couple who relocated their family of seven to a small Norwegian town. The family’s conservative Christian values land the parents and their children into scandal in their new home.
Being a Palme d’Or winner alone makes this a must watch. With Reinsve and Stan in front of the camera, this is a no-brainer.
Alpha Gang
Alpha Gang is an interesting spin on the classic alien invasion story. Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Lily-Rose Depp, and Cate Blanchett star as an alien biker gang looking to conquer earth, 1950’s biker jackets and all. The Zellner brothers have our attention with this one.
Bucking Fastard
Loosely based on the lives of sisters Freda and Greta Chaplin, Bucking Fastard stars real-life sisters Kate and Rooney Mara in their portrayal of Jean and Joan Holbrooke who speak in unison, fall in love with the same man, played by Orlando Bloom, and eventually land in court. They appear in court side by side, speaking as one as they have their whole lives. It’s an intriguing and twisted story from Werner Herzog.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s editor-in-chief and Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter focusing on film & TV, music, and fashion. He was named one of 340 international voters for the Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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