The 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to captivate audiences from September 4 to September 14, 2025. This landmark event is poised to be a significant platform for films aiming for Oscar contention, showcasing a curated selection of world premieres that delve into the complexities of the human experience.
Among the highly anticipated premieres is "Nuremberg," directed by James Vanderbilt. This historical drama stars Rami Malek as a psychiatrist assessing Hermann Göring, portrayed by Russell Crowe, for the Nuremberg Trials. The film, which premieres in TIFF's Gala Presentations on September 7th, will be released in the U.S. on November 7th, 2025, strategically aligning with the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials.
Guillermo del Toro's visually striking adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" will also debut in the Gala Presentations on September 7th. Having already received acclaim at the Venice International Film Festival, this gothic science fiction horror film, featuring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on October 17th, 2025, followed by a global debut on Netflix on November 7th, 2025.
Edward Berger's "Ballad of a Small Player," a drama centered on a professional poker player, premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29th, 2025. Its release strategy includes a limited U.S. run on October 15th, 2025, a UK release on October 17th, and a Netflix debut on October 29th, 2025.
The festival is expected to draw a constellation of stars, with approximately 730 guests anticipated. Notable attendees may include Russell Crowe, Sydney Sweeney, Daniel Craig, Matthew McConaughey, Paul Mescal, Angelina Jolie, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Spanish director Joecar Hanna will also present his short film "Talk Me" in the Short Cuts program, exploring intimate communication in a dystopian future.
In total, TIFF's 50th edition will feature 291 films, comprising 209 features, 6 classics, 10 primetime series, and 66 shorts, offering a diverse panorama of global cinema and storytelling.