TIFF 2025 has kicked off with an avalanche of nostalgia: the newly-released trailer for the documentary John Candy: I Like Me is officially out, and it’s quickly becoming an emotional talking point for fans old and new. Produced by Ryan Reynolds and directed by Colin Hanks, this intimate film will open the 50th Toronto International Film Festival before hitting Prime Video worldwide on October 10, 2025.
Packed with never-before-seen home footage, candid family interviews, and tributes from Hollywood icons—think Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Catherine O’Hara, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Eugene Levy—the trailer affirms that John Candy’s greatest legacy may be the joy he brought to others, even while fighting his own battles. The powerful opening with Bill Murray tearing up as he calls Candy “my friend” sets the tone for a film that digs far beyond his comedic façade.
What Makes the John Candy Documentary Trailer So Special?
-
Deeply Personal Stories: The trailer features moving testimonials from Candy’s closest family members—including his children and wife—as well as co-stars who witnessed both his humor and his vulnerability behind the camera.
-
Raw Emotion: The film doesn’t shy away from Candy’s internal struggles, such as the impact of losing his father or the pressures of fame, painting a fuller portrait of the legendary comedian.
-
Unseen Footage: “I Like Me” promises rare archival material, including childhood snapshots of Candy in Toronto and a haunting original cover of “Every Time You Go Away” by Cynthia Erivo.
-
Star-Studded Tributes: The trailer alone brings a comedy masterclass—Candy’s SCTV crew and Hollywood friends all share, in their own words, what the actor meant to them and to comedy worldwide.
-
Canadian Pride: The film’s TIFF opening-night premiere is a love letter to Toronto, with Candy’s family and Reynolds leading the red carpet and local tributes.
Answers to Top Viewer Questions
-
When does the doc premiere? TIFF’s opening night, September 4, 2025; global streaming starts October 10 on Prime Video.
-
Who’s featured? Alongside Candy’s family, the film brings together Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, and even Mel Brooks.
-
What sets it apart? The blend of family insight, unseen footage, star testimony, and original music offers the deepest, most human portrait of John Candy ever put to film.
If the trailer is anything to go by, “John Candy: I Like Me” isn’t just another celebrity doc—it’s a celebration of laughter, kindness, and the struggles behind the jokes. Comedy lovers, get ready for tears, smiles, and the warmest tribute Toronto and Hollywood have given in years.
