Cannes 2025: Top Films Defining the Festival’s In Competition Lineup
- Taylor Lynn
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
From Ari Aster’s Genre-Bending Western to Julia Ducournau’s Visceral Drama - Top Six Films Setting The Croisette Abuzz
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival competition lineup is a showcase of global auteurs, bold debuts, and returning Palme d’Or winners. This year’s selection is one of the most hotly debated in recent memory, with critics and cinephiles alike speculating on which films will define the cinematic landscape for the year ahead. After analyzing the official “In Competition” slate, early critical buzz, and industry anticipation, here are the six most highly anticipated or critically acclaimed films of Cannes 2025.
The Cannes 2025: Top Films Most Anticipated
1. Eddington
Director: Ari Aster
Ari Aster’s first Cannes competition entry is already one of the festival’s most talked-about films. “Eddington” stars Joaquin Phoenix as a small-town sheriff squaring off with Pedro Pascal’s mayor in a tense, modern Western rife with social media-fueled paranoia. With a cast that includes Emma Stone and Austin Butler, and shot by Darius Khondji, Aster’s genre-bending approach and reputation for unsettling cinema have made “Eddington” a must-see event.
2. Die My Love
Director: Lynne Ramsay
Lynne Ramsay returns to Cannes with a darkly comic thriller starring Jennifer Lawrence as a new mother unraveling under the weight of postpartum depression and a crumbling marriage. With Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield, and Sissy Spacek rounding out the cast, Ramsay’s fifth feature is being hailed as a potential Palme d’Or contender and marks her long-awaited return to the Croisette.
3. Alpha
Director: Julia Ducournau
After winning the Palme d’Or for “Titane,” Julia Ducournau’s latest, “Alpha,” is one of the festival’s most anticipated films. While plot details are closely guarded, Ducournau’s reputation for provocative, visceral storytelling ensures “Alpha” is a frontrunner for both critical acclaim and audience curiosity.
4. Sentimental Value (Affeksjonsverdi)
Director: Joachim Trier
Joachim Trier reunites with Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård for a family drama that explores memory, art, and healing. As the follow-up to his Oscar-nominated “The Worst Person in the World,” Trier’s “Sentimental Value” is expected to be a major player in the awards conversation, with early buzz pointing to another emotionally resonant triumph.
5. The Phoenician Scheme
Director: Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” brings his signature style to Cannes, with Benicio del Toro and Michael Cera leading a star-studded cast. The film’s blend of family intrigue and Anderson’s meticulous visual flair have critics and festivalgoers eager to see how it stands alongside his previous Cannes entries.
6. Resurrection (Kuang Ye Shi Dai)
Director: Bi Gan
Chinese auteur Bi Gan’s “Resurrection” (Kuang Ye Shi Dai) is a sci-fi detective story set in a world where humanity has lost the ability to dream. With an evocative score by M83 and a cast led by Jackson Yee and Shu Qi, the film’s dreamlike narrative and visual ambition have made it one of the most anticipated international entries of the year.
Why These Six Stand Out
Ari Aster and Julia Ducournau are both returning after genre-defining works, each pushing boundaries with star power and auteur vision.
Lynne Ramsay and Joachim Trier are festival veterans whose previous films have garnered critical acclaim and awards, making their new works natural focal points for critics and audiences.
Wes Anderson’s unique cinematic language and ensemble casts always generate excitement, and “The Phoenician Scheme” is no exception.
Bi Gan’s innovative storytelling and visual style have earned him a devoted following, and “Resurrection” promises a blend of sci-fi and poetic realism rarely seen at Cannes.
With these six films leading a fiercely competitive lineup, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival is poised to deliver a crop of cinematic landmarks. Whether through bold narrative risks, emotional depth, or visual innovation, these titles are set to shape the conversation on the Croisette and beyond-for months to come.