The 2025 Venice Film Festival dazzled with not only A-List stars on the red carpet, but an incredible lineup of world premieres and bold storytelling. As one of the most prestigious festivals, it lived up to all the hype of it’s name. Stars like Emma Stone, Adam Sandler, and Idris Elba captivated critics and audiences alike. This year’s film premiers ranged from chilling reimaginings of literary classics like Frankenstein, politically charged thrillers like A House of Dynamite, and Jay Kelly’s genre-bending comedy. There’s truly something for every cinephile!
Venice 2025 proved once again why it’s a vital launchpad for both the theaters and awards season ahead. Here’s 7 films you need to catch in theaters this year!
The Voice of Hind Rajab – 23 Minute Standing Ovation
Jonathan Glazer, Alfonso Cuarón, Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Rooney Mara all executive produced this retelling of the killing of Hind Rajab. A five-year-old Palestinian girl living in the Gaza Strip is was killed by the IDF during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza.
The Smashing Machine – 15 Minute Standing Ovation
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson undergoes a radical transformation to portray Mark Kerr, a troubled MMA fighter battling addiction, fame, and personal demons. In theaters October 3rd.
Frankenstein – 13 Minute Standing Ovation
A dramatic retelling of the real-life Agojie (a group of all-female warriors in the 1800s) as they protect the African kingdom of Dahomey. Faced with an outside threat, they must train & fight against a foreign enemy.
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood / Starring: Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim
A House of Dynamite – 11 Minute Standing Ovation
Kathryn Bigelow is back with this high-stakes political thriller starring Idris Elba & Rebecca Ferguson. The film follows a U.S. intelligence operative who unravels a global conspiracy tied to arms trafficking and state secrets. In theaters October 10th.
Jay Kelly – 10 Minute Standing Ovation
Icons George Clooney & Adam Sandler star in Noah Baumbach’s comedic tale playing fictionalized versions of themselves. A coming of age film navigating each’s personal and professional legacies in an ever-changing industry. In select theaters on November 14th, streaming on Netflix on December 5th.
Bugonia – 7 Minute Standing Ovation
The 4th collaboration between Emma Stone & Yorgos Lanthimos is a satirical dark comedy following a kidnapping of CEO’s kidnapping believed by the conspirators to be an alien plotting to destroy humanity.
After the Hunt – 6 Minute Standing Ovation
Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield star in Luca Guadagnino’s psychological thriller about a college professor grappling with her secretive past after one of her colleagues is faced with a serious accusation. In theaters October 17th.
