Kevin Wozniak
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival has officially concluded its final year in Park City, Utah. This year’s festival saw Beth de Araújo’s Josephine take home the festival’s top prize for U.S. Dramatic. Other Grand Jury Prize winners went to Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman’s nature documentary Nuisance Bear (U.S. Documentary), Visar Morina’s Indian queer portrait working class portrait Shame and Money (World Dramatic), and Biljana Tutorov, Petar Glomazić’s To Hold a Mountain (World Documentary). There were also new films from Gregg Araki, Olivia Wilde, Andrew Stanton, David Wain, and Koganada that premiered at this year’s festival.
This year’s festival was a year of remembrance, as this was the last year Sundance would take place in its historic home of Park City before moving to its new home of Boulder, Colorado, next year. The festival also served as a final send-off to the festival’s founder and Hollywood icon, Robert Redford. The festival’s vibe this year was equal parts excitement and sadness. It was a celebration of the festival’s legendary run in Park City, but also a somber farewell.
I saw 39 feature films during my time at Sundance this year. The overall quality of the films was a mixed bag, with not a lot of breakout films, but also no films that were truly horrible, at least that I saw. The U.S. Dramatic and Midnight categories were historically weak this year, but there were several great documentaries. There were plenty of good films at this festival that you should look out for in 2026. Here are the best movies (in alphabetical order) I saw at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
American Doctor
It’s still the beginning of the year, but in 2026, no documentary will be more important than Poh Si Teng’s American Doctor. This harrowing documentary follows three doctors from across America who volunteer at a hospital in Gaza. This is a powerful, shattering documentary that shows us the horrors of what is happening in Gaza between the Israeli’s and Palestinians, particularly the violence done toward children and hospitals. Some images and scenes are hard to watch, but important about what is going on in the world. Directed with passion and skill, this movie will shatter your soul and open your eyes.
The Disciple
In 2015, legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan released their album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. Unlike typical albums, there was only one copy of it made, and it was sold at auction for $5 million. How did the album get made, and why was there only one copy made? Those questions and much more are answered in Joanna Natasegara’s documentary that takes us deep into the creation of this infamous album, the fallout from who bought it, and the legacy it left on the hip-hop and art world.
Hold Onto Me
The debut feature from Myrsini Aristidou is an honest and compelling film about 11-year-old Iris (an exceptional Maria Petrova) reconnecting with her estranged father (Christos Passalis) after he returns to town following the death of his father. What transpires is a nuanced portrait of a father and daughter growing closer together as they deal with their own life problems. Led by two stellar performances from Petrova and Passalis and skilled direction from Aristidou, Hold Onto Me is a powerhouse of a film.
If I Go Will They Miss Me
Adapted from his acclaimed short film of the same name, Walter Thompson-Hernández’s If I Got Will They Miss Me is a beautiful and poetic film about the relationship between a hard-nosed father and his sensitive and artistic son who don’t understand each other. Set in a working-class neighborhood in South Los Angeles, Thompson-Hernández docuficition filmmaking style takes us into a deeply emotional and at times magical journey about connection and parenting. Walter Thompson-Hernández has a bright future ahead as a director, and I cannot wait to see what he makes next.
The Invite
The biggest title coming out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival was Olivia Wilde’s The Invite, a single-setting adult comedy about a couple on the rocks (Seth Rogen and Wilde) who invite their new neighbors (Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz) over for the evening, only for it to turn in unexpected ways. From a smart and hilarious script by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack and skillful direction by Wilde, The Invite reminded me of adult comedies from the ‘70s and found a great home for its release in A24.
Josephine
When 8-year-old Josephine (Mason Reeves) sees a crime while on a run with her dad (Channing Tatum), her life becomes confusing as she tries to get answers about what happened while also trying to understand her own emotional state as several adults push and pull her in different directions. Beth de Araújo’s drama is a simple story told with emotional depth and delicate direction, showing the complications of parenting while showing us the world through the eyes of a confused 8-year-old. Reeves is a revelation, and we get career-best turns from Tatum and Gemma Chan, who plays Josephine’s mother. Josephine took home prizes for U.S. Dramatic, Sundance’s top prize, and the Audience Award, joining the likes of CODA, Minari, Whiplash, and Fruitvale Station.
Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant
Sundance’s Midnight category was relatively weak compared to past years, but THUNDERLIPS’ Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant was far and away the best of the category. This Australian horror comedy follows an underachieving millennial (a spectacular Hannah Lynch) who, in the strangest way possible, gets impregnated by an alien. Slimy, sticky, gross, uproariously funny, and touching on themes of young pregnancy and pro-choice, Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant is a lively and crazy ride that will have you squirming in your seat.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem
Once Upon a Time in Harlem is a movie you have to live in. This documentary from William Greaves and his son David Greaves takes place at a party at Duke Ellington’s home in 1972, where several key members of the Harlem Renaissance gather to discuss past events, reconnect with old friends, and share personal memories. The footage Greaves captured is remarkable, and how he shot it makes it feel like you’re attending the party and basking in the brilliance of the people in the room. Once Upon a Time in Harlem is a special movie and an incredible experience.
Additional films that I enjoyed were Gail Daughtery and the Celebrity Sex Pass, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Seized, The Weight, and Wicker
Look out for these films and more from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival!
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival took place in person in Park City, Utah, and Salt Lake City, Utah, and online from January 22, 2026, through February 1, 2026.
