10 Must See Movies at Sundance Film Festival 2025

Every January, the Sundance Film Festival transforms Park City into a hub for independent cinema, and 2025 is no exception. This year, the festival showcases 87 feature films, six episodic projects, and a robust collection of shorts, offering a mix of fresh voices and seasoned creators. With so much to explore, navigating the lineup can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to spotlight the most anticipated titles, some already previewed and others primed for discovery.

While Sundance remains rooted in Park City, speculation grows about a potential move in 2027 to cities like Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, or Boulder. For now, Eugene Hernandez, Sundance’s director, and lead programmer Kim Yutani have highlighted buzzworthy films and sales titles destined to make waves. Competition entries will also be available online during the festival’s second week, expanding access beyond Utah.

The 2025 slate has something for everyone: gripping narratives, thought-provoking documentaries, and compelling episodic premieres. With a star-studded jury—including Celine Song, Daniel Kaluuya, and Elijah Wood—evaluating this diverse lineup, distributors like A24 are poised for big acquisitions. Running from January 23 to February 2, Sundance promises another exciting year of cinematic innovation and discovery. Stay tuned for the must-see films making headlines.

1. The Wedding Banquet (Premieres)

Ang Lee’s classic “The Wedding Banquet” gets a fresh new twist, and this isn’t just some lazy remake. Co-written and produced by James Schamus (who co-wrote the original) and directed by Andrew Ahn of “Driveways,” this updated version tells the story of Min (Han Gi-chan), who fakes a green card marriage with his friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) to help fund her IVF treatments. Of course, things get hilariously complicated when Min’s grandmother insists on throwing them a lavish Korean wedding banquet. With Bowen Yang and Lily Gladstone rounding out the cast, this feels like a warm, funny, and thoroughly modern reimagining of a beloved story.

2. The Things You Kill (World Cinema Dramatic)

This one sounds like a brain-bender. Iranian director Alireza Khatami shifts gears to Turkey for a haunting thriller about a literature professor who starts unraveling after his father’s mysterious death—or disappearance. Think Abbas Kiarostami meets David Lynch, with a plot that flips halfway through and keeps you guessing until the very end. Ekin Koç leads the cast in what promises to be a surreal, unsettling ride.

3. Sorry, Baby (U.S. Dramatic Competition)

Eva Victor’s feature debut as a director and star is one I can’t wait to see. She plays Agnes, a stagnant English professor revisiting her old grad school home with her best friend Lydie (Naomi Ackie). As the story rewinds through their shared past, we slowly uncover why Agnes is so stuck. Victor balances humor and heartbreak in what’s shaping up to be a standout.

4. Rebuilding (Premieres)

Max Walker-Silverman returns with another beautifully understated film, this time following a rancher (Josh O’Connor) whose family farm is destroyed by wildfire. Set against the stunning backdrop of Colorado, this story of resilience, family, and tough choices is bound to tug at the heartstrings. Meghann Fahy and Lily LaTorre add depth to the cast in what’s sure to be a festival highlight.

5. Magic Farm (Premieres)

How’s this for quirky? Amalia Ulman directs and stars in a hilarious satire about a clueless American film crew trying to profile a musician in Argentina—except he’s nowhere to be found. With Chloë Sevigny and Alex Wolff leading the chaos, expect a mix of absurdity, culture clashes, and unexpected humanity.

6. Kiss of the Spider Woman (Premieres)

Bill Condon brings a musical twist to Manuel Puig’s iconic novel, with Jennifer Lopez starring in dazzling dream sequences as the imaginary movie star in Molina’s (Tonatiuh) fantasies. Set in 1980s Argentina during a dictatorship, this mix of political tension and Hollywood flair is one of the festival’s most anticipated premieres.

7. If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You (Premieres)

With a title like this, how could you not be intrigued? Rose Byrne stars in Mary Bronstein’s darkly comedic tale of a woman navigating her child’s mysterious illness, a missing person, and a crumbling marriage. Add Conan O’Brien and A$AP Rocky to the mix, and you’ve got a film that’s sure to make waves.

8. Folktales (Premieres)

This coming-of-age documentary by “Jesus Camp” filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady takes us deep into the Arctic wilderness, where three teenagers spend a year learning survival skills instead of scrolling through TikTok. It’s a fascinating, heartfelt look at stepping away from modern life to reconnect with something primal.

9. Deaf President Now! (Premieres)

This Apple Studios documentary about the 1988 protests at Gallaudet University is an inspiring story of resilience and activism. Nyle DiMarco teams up with Davis Guggenheim to tell the tale of how students fought—and won—to have the university’s first Deaf president.

10. Atropia (U.S. Dramatic Competition)

Hailey Gates delivers a sharp satire about a fictional Iraqi training city in California, where soldiers prep for deployment by interacting with actors playing “locals.” Alia Shawkat stars as an actress caught between the surreal environment and her own personal struggles. Bold, outrageous, and thought-provoking, this is one to watch.

Sundance Film Festival 2025 – January 23 to February 2