The 10 movies we’re most excited to see at the Sundance Film Festival

Is this the last year the Sundance Film Festival will be held in Park City, Utah? Even with a sense of nostalgia surrounding every premiere at the Eccles Theatre or late-night gathering at the Library, Sundance promises exciting new films. Here are 10 movies we recommend checking out – we’ve already seen some, and we’re confident you’ll enjoy the others. Stay tuned to this page for all our Sundance coverage, including news about film acquisitions, reviews, interviews, and more!

‘The Best Summer’

Have you seen that Instagram meme about wanting to skip ahead to 1995 instead of facing a new year, usually with an old high school photo? Director Tamra Davis (“Billy Madison,” “Crossroads,” “Half Baked”) is aiming for that same nostalgic feeling with her new documentary, “The Best Summer.” The film features previously unreleased concert footage, behind-the-scenes moments, and interviews from the 1995 Summersault festival in Australia. Davis was married to Mike D from the Beastie Boys at the time, and the festival lineup also included major alternative rock bands like Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, Pavement, Rancid, Beck, the Amps, and Bikini Kill. Interestingly, the footage was found while Davis was evacuating her home during the Malibu fire last January. — Vanessa Franko

‘The Disciple’

The Wu-Tang Clan is a hugely important and influential rap group, and they created one of the rarest albums in history: 2015’s “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.” This double album, with 31 tracks, was made in complete secrecy, with only one copy ever produced. It eventually sold for millions at auction to Martin Shkreli, known as “Pharma Bro.” A new film, “The Disciple,” directed by Joanna Natasegara (known for “The White Helmets”), tells the story of Cilvaringz, a Dutch-Moroccan producer and rapper who worked with the Wu-Tang Clan for years and was the creative force behind this unique and mysterious album. The story is fascinating, but many are even more eager to hear a single piece of the elusive music itself.

‘Hanging by a Wire’

This documentary seems ideal for a film festival in a ski resort – imagine if the Cannes Film Festival showed a movie called “The Killer Croissant”! (If you’re going to Deer Valley after seeing it, take the lift up for a drink.) The film itself is a real-life thriller about a cable car accident in Pakistan where eight people were stranded for hours. It features re-enactments with people who were actually involved (it’s hard to imagine agreeing to that!), dramatic drone footage, personal conflicts, and a daring rescue. Interestingly, there’s a 1979 TV movie with a similar plot starring Patty Duke. However, this documentary is directed by award-winning filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi, so expect a much more intense and terrifying experience. — Joshua Rothkopf

‘The History of Concrete’

Nine years ago, filmmaker John Wilson jokingly documented his experience at the Sundance Film Festival in a short film called “Escape From Park City,” never expecting to be accepted. That short evolved into his unique TV show, “How to With John Wilson,” and now he’s premiering a feature film, “The History of Concrete,” on opening night. While the film is, as you might guess, about concrete, it’s also a typically winding journey for Wilson, filled with surprising detours. He might start with a visit to the oldest concrete road in America and end up meeting a relative of the man who embalmed Chef Boyardee. Wilson’s curious nature makes you notice everyday details, like the designs in used chewing gum on the sidewalk. The film asks viewers to piece things together, but it seems to be a thoughtful look at America’s decaying infrastructure, with a hopeful message about artists finding beauty and growth even in broken places. — Amy Nicholson

‘The Incomer’

Domhnall Gleeson, known for dramatic roles in films like “Ex Machina” and “The Revenant,” and for playing the sharp-tongued General Hux in “Star Wars,” is now showing off his comedic side. He’s excellent in “The Paper,” a spin-off of “The Office,” where he plays a former toilet paper salesman who becomes a newspaper editor. In the British comedy series “The Incomer,” Gleeson plays a Scottish official tasked with introducing modern culture – things like guacamole and the internet – to two wary siblings living on a remote island (played by Grant O’Rourke and Gayle Rankin of “House of the Dragon”). It’s been described as a modern take on anthropologist Margaret Mead’s work, but with a cozy, charming feel and some animated touches. Early reviews suggest it’s as uniquely delightful and surprising as last year’s critically acclaimed film “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” which the reviewer has been enthusiastically recommending.

‘I Want Your Sex’

It’s perfect that Sundance’s last film this year comes from Gregg Araki, a director known for challenging norms – just like the festival itself. Araki, who’s been a boundary-pusher for almost four decades, is back with “I Want Your Sex,” a provocative blend of comedy and erotic thriller that’s guaranteed to spark conversation. (The festival will also be showing a retrospective of his powerful 2004 drama, “Mysterious Skin.”) The film follows a daring artist (Olivia Wilde) who begins a complicated, and potentially dangerous, affair with her younger assistant (Cooper Hoffman) due to their power imbalance. Filled with Araki’s signature style – a mix of sex, satire, and pop culture, including a cameo by Charli XCX – the movie is a bold and reckless reminder that growing up doesn’t mean losing your edge. — Mark Olsen

‘Josephine’

After an 8-year-old girl witnesses a violent crime in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, her life and her parents’ are turned upside down. The girl, powerfully portrayed by Mason Reeves, starts to exhibit troubling behavior as she tries to make sense of what she saw. Her parents (Gemma Chan and Channing Tatum) struggle to understand how to best support her. The film, inspired by a real childhood experience of the writer and director Beth de Araújo, was actually conceived before her first movie, “Soft & Quiet” (2022), but has just now been finished. It’s a sensitive and perceptive look at the emotional and psychological impact of trauma on a child, and how difficult it can be to cope with something so far beyond their understanding.

‘Once Upon a Time in Harlem’

“Once Upon a Time in Harlem” feels like traveling through time. In 1972, filmmaker William Greaves brought together artists and prominent figures from the Harlem Renaissance—musicians, writers, poets, and scholars—at Duke Ellington’s home for an afternoon of memories and reflection. Sadly, Greaves couldn’t finish the film before he passed away in 2014. His son, David, who filmed the gathering, eventually completed it. The resulting film honors a special moment in time while also exploring the lasting impact of the Harlem Renaissance, with moments of both joy and sadness. At a time when history is often changed or forgotten, this film creates a powerful connection to the past, looking back over 50 years to events that happened even earlier. — M.O.

‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York’

While no one wants a rise in crime, it’s understandable why John Turturro’s character, a small-time thief, might miss the days when people carried cash. How can he steal from the wealthy when they’re using Bitcoin, especially since he doesn’t even have a cell phone? Noah Segan, the writer and director of “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” clearly wanted to evoke the feel of 1970s New York with the film’s visuals and music, and to see if old-fashioned methods – both for crime and filmmaking – still work. Turturro is perfectly cast as an aging con artist, and he’s joined by Steve Buscemi and Giancarlo Esposito, actors he’s worked with for decades. However, newcomer Will Price manages to steal some scenes as a young, arrogant gangster who suggests the mob explore modern options like NFTs.

‘Undertone’

Sundance consistently introduces me to truly frightening films – think “The Babadook,” “The Witch,” “Hereditary,” and now “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” This Canadian movie, written and directed by Ian Tuason, premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival and is getting a lot of buzz. People are saying it’s genuinely scary – so much so that they’re hesitant to watch it late at night! Like other great horror films, it apparently relies heavily on sound design. The story follows a podcaster (Nina Kiri) who investigates the paranormal and gets in over her head, with mysterious recordings playing a key role. I’m definitely seeing this one, even if it means a cold walk back to my place afterward. — J.R.

2026-01-21 22:02