Every March, Austin, Texas becomes one of the most exciting hubs for all things entertainment when SXSW returns. Unlike previous years, when the festival was broken up into different subdivisions over a two-week period, the 2026 edition of SXSW runs for exactly one week, from March 12 through March 18. The festival will once again bring together tech innovators, musicians, comedians, filmmakers, and creatives from across the entertainment and technology industries to celebrate, analyze, and showcase new projects and ideas.
As always, while I may dabble in some of the music and comedy events happening during the festival, I typically stay in my lane and focus on covering the SXSW Film and TV Festival. This year’s lineup once again features a wide range of projects, from breakout independent productions to major studio releases and several noteworthy television debuts.
This year’s festival appears to lean more heavily toward independent films rather than serving as a major launching pad for studio titles like it has in previous years. While Ready or Not 2, I Love Boosters, Power Ballad, and They Will Kill Youare among the biggest films debuting at this year’s festival, particularly those with sizable theatrical releases planned, the shift could allow smaller films to shine a bit brighter.
I have also started to notice a pattern of films that are heading directly to streaming making their debut at SXSW. That trend feels likely to continue as studios and streamers look for ways to generate buzz for projects that may not receive traditional theatrical releases. Whether that is a temporary shift or part of a larger evolution in the industry remains to be seen, but it is certainly becoming more common on the festival circuit.
With hundreds of screenings and premieres packed into a single week, narrowing down a viewing schedule is always quite overwhelming and I am sure there are films that I will ultimately end up seeing that will surprise me but in order to help guide those at SXSW through a very packed lineup, here are fifteen films and television projects playing at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival that I believe should be on your radar.
Pretty Lethal
Director: Vicky Jewson
Cast: Uma Thurman, Lana Condor, Iris Apatow, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler
SXSW Screenings:
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March 13, 2026 – 9:00 PM – Paramount Theatre
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March 16, 2026 – 11:00 AM – Paramount Theatre
Pretty Lethal follows a group of ballerinas whose bus breaks down on the way to a dance competition. Forced to stay at a mysterious roadside inn, the dancers quickly realize that they are in danger and must use their years of training to fight a deadly threat.
The premise alone suggests this could be one of the most entertaining films at SXSW. As someone who has been attending the festival for nearly two decades, I know the crowd tends to embrace films that blend female badasses, action, and humor, and Pretty Lethal appears to promise a stylish mix of fun and violence. While the younger actresses will surely be the stars of the film, I would not be surprised if Uma Thurman ends up stealing a few scenes. This is a movie that feels tailor-made for SXSW audiences.
I Love Boosters
Director: Boots Riley
Cast: Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, LaKeith Stanfield, and Demi Moore
SXSW Screenings:
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March 12, 2026 – 5:00 PM – Paramount Theatre
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March 13, 2026 – 11:00 AM – Paramount Theatre
Boots Riley returns to SXSW with I Love Boosters, a crime comedy about a group of shoplifters operating within an underground retail economy while targeting a corrupt fashion mogul. The film will serve as the opening night selection of the festival, and as we all know, opening night films often set the tone for the week of premieres and television debuts that follow.
I was a big fan of Sorry to Bother You, and expectations are pretty high for his follow up feature. If his signature blend of surreal satire and social commentary carries over into this heist-driven story, I Love Boosters is likely to become one of the festival’s most buzzed about films.
Over Your Dead Body
Director: Jorma Taccone
Cast: Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis
SXSW Screenings:
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March 14, 2026 – 5:30 PM – Paramount Theatre
- March 16, 2026 – 11: 30 AM – ZACH Theater
Over Your Dead Body looks to be a twisted dark comedy thriller that follows a married couple retreating to a remote cabin in hopes of repairing their relationship. However, each of them has their own plan in mind: to kill the other.
The film’s premise alone sets the stage for a chaotic and darkly comedic ride. With Jason Segel and Samara Weaving leading the cast and Popstar filmmaker Jorma Taccone behind the camera, Over Your Dead Body has the potential to become a crowd-pleasing midnight favorite at the festival.
Power Ballad
Director: John Carney
Cast: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Jack Reynor, and Havana Rose Liu
SXSW Screenings:
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March 14, 2026 – 2:00 PM – Paramount Theatre
- March 18, 2016 – 11:30 AM – ZACH Theater
Power Ballad fits perfectly into SXSW’s long-standing love for music-driven narratives. I love John Carney movies and I have been waiting to see this one since the trailer debuted at CinemaCon last year. The film explores the emotional highs and lows of pursuing artistic ambition in the music industry, following Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas’ characters personal lives and creative dreams as they come together in very unexpected ways.
Music films tend to resonate strongly at SXSW thanks to the festival’s deep roots in the music world. I can see how Power Ballad becomes the breakout hit of SXSW because people love Paul Rudd and when you combine that with the heart and music of a John Carney movie; its hard not to have a win-win situation on your hands.
Sender
Director: Russell Goldman
Cast: Britt Lower, Rhea Seehorn, Jamie Lee Curtis, Anna Baryshnikov, David Dastmalchian, and Utkarsh Ambudkar
SXSW Screenings:
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March 14, 2026 – 6:00 PM – Zach Theater
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March 16, 2026 – 3:00 PM – Alamo Lamar 5
- March 18, 2026 – 2:45 PM – Alamo Lamar 5
Part of SXSW’s Narrative Feature Competition, Sender explores themes of technology, identity, and modern relationships in an increasingly digital world.
With Brit Lower and Rhea Seehorn going head-to-head at award shows for their work in Severance and Pluribus, I’m very excited to see what the two bring to this project. The film sounds like something right up my alley, and I’m hopeful it delivers a thought-provoking story about how technology shapes the way we communicate and connect with one another.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Showrunner: David E. Kelley
Cast: Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Greg Kinnear, and Nicole Kidman
SXSW Screening:
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March 12, 2026 – 9:00 PM – Paramount Theatre
Based on the bestselling novel, Margo’s Got Money Troubles follows a young woman navigating life after college while trying to support a newborn child and manage a growing list of financial struggles.
With David E. Kelley spearheading the series and Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer leading the cast, the show is already generating significant awards buzz for Apple TV+. While television is still a relatively new component of SXSW, the festival has quickly become a launching pad for several series across various networks and platforms. I’ve already seen a few episodes, and given the production team behind it, I’m confident this will play very well with the SXSW crowd.
Imposters
Director: Caleb J. Phillips
Cast: Jessica Rothe, Charlie Barnett, Yul Vázquez, Bates Wilder, and Luisina Quarleri
SXSW Screenings:
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March 15, 2026 – 9:00 PM – Alamo Lamar 5
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March 16, 2026 – 2:45 PM – Alamo Lamar 9
- March 17, 2026 – 9:15 PM – Alamo Lamar 3
Imposters centers on a group of characters whose lives intersect through deception, secrets, and shifting identities. As the story unfolds, the film explores the cost of pretending to be someone you’re not and the ripple effects those lies create.
Stories about identity and reinvention have always piqued my interest, and the premise suggests a promising narrative filled with suspense and unexpected twists. I also tend to enjoy whatever Jessica Rothe does, as she often elevates the material she’s given.
Brian
Director: Will Ropp
Cast: Ben Wang, William H. Macy, Edi Patterson, Randall Park, and Natalie Morales
SXSW Screening:
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March 14, 2026 – 3:30 PM – The State Theatre
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March 15, 2026 – 3:00 PM – Alamo Lamar 4
- March 17, 2026 – 3:00 PM – Alamo Lamar 9
Brian is part of the SXSW Narrative Feature Competition and focuses on the title character navigating life’s uncertainties while wrestling with ambition, relationships, and personal identity.
Well-written, acted, and directed character-driven stories are often my jam, and Brian appears to be exactly the kind of emotionally grounded indie film that audiences and critics love to discover at a film festival. I hope like most of my favorite films in this sub genre that Brian is equally heartfelt and humorous.
Seekers of Infinite Love
Director: Victoria Strouse
Cast: Hannah Einbinder, Justin Theroux, John Paul Reynolds, Griffin Gluck, Justine Lupe, and Greg Kinnear
SXSW Screenings:
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March 12, 2026 – 6:30 PM – ZACH Theater
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March 15, 2026 – 11:00 AM – Alamo Lamar 5
- March 17, 2026 – 6:15 PM – Alamo Lamar 9
Seekers of Infinite Love centers on a group of estranged and deeply dysfunctional siblings: a claustrophobe, a compulsive gambler, and a controlling lawyer. They are forced to put their differences aside when their sister falls under the influence of a doomsday cult. In an effort to rescue her, the trio teams up with an unpredictable cult deprogrammer and embarks on a journey through the American South that quickly becomes as chaotic as it is revealing. Along the way, the siblings not only attempt to save their sister but are also forced to confront their fractured relationships and long-standing grievances with one another.
I’m a big fan of Hannah Einbinder’s work on Hacks, so I’m very curious to see what she brings to a feature-length film in a completely different role. The concept itself sounds interesting and could make for a very fun and entertaining film.
Mile End Kicks
Director: Chandler Levack
Cast: Barbie Ferreira, Devon Bostick, Stanley Simons, and Jay Baruchel
SXSW Screenings:
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March 12, 2026 – 3:00 PM – ZACH Theater
- March 15, 2026 – 11:45 AM – Alamo Lamar 9
- March 17, 2026 – 3:00 PM – Alamo Lamar 4
Set against the backdrop of Montreal’s indie music scene, Mile End Kicks follows a young music critic whose professional ambitions become complicated when she gets romantically involved with multiple members of the band that she is covering.
SXSW has always celebrated films that capture the spirit of music culture, and this coming-of-age story which screened at TIFF last year promises to deliver humor and heart while exploring the messy intersection between work, fandom, and personal relationships.
The Audacity
Created by: Jonathan Glatzer
Cast: Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch, Simon Helberg, and Rob Corddry
SXSW Screening:
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March 14, 2026 – 12:00 PM – State Theater
The Audacity features an ensemble cast that includes Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch, Simon Helberg, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, and Paul Adelstein. The series is centered around Duncan, an unhinged tech CEO played Magnussen who forms a relationship with his therapist.
While leaning heavily into comedy, the film will likely tap into some very real and timely themes. Given the current state of technology, the story seems primed to poke fun at the chaos, oversized egos, and ethical gray areas that often surround today’s tech industry leaders.
Love Language
Director: Joey Power
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Anthony Ramos, Manny Jacinto, Isabel May, Lukas Gage, and Billie Lourd
SXSW Screenings:
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March 13, 2026 – 3:30 PM – ZACH Theater
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March 16, 2026 – 6:30 PM – Alamo Drafthouse Lamar
Love Language explores modern relationships through the lens of communication, intimacy, and emotional vulnerability. The story follows a group of interconnected characters trying to navigate romance in an era where texting, social media, and digital connection have fundamentally changed how people express love.
Relationship-driven stories can be hit or miss depending on how much they lean into fiction vs. reality. However, most films that I have seen at SXSW that are relationship-focused tend to reflect the anxieties and realities of contemporary life. If Love Language delivers sharp writing and authentic performances, it could possibly be a film that could end up generating some buzz which will hopefully lead to distribution.
Chili Finger
Directors: Edd Benda, Stephen Helstad
Cast: Judy Greer, Sean Astin, Bryan Cranston, and John Goodman
SXSW Screenings:
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March 14, 2026 – 2:45 PM – ZACH Theater
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March 15, 2026 – 6:30 PM – Alamo Lamar 4
- March 16, 2026 – 9:30 PM – Alamo Lamar 7
In this dark crime comedy, a recently empty-nested mother played by Judy Greer discovers a human finger in a bowl of chili from a fast-food restaurant. Instead of reporting it, she attempts to blackmail the restaurant for a large payout. What begins as a desperate attempt to regain control over her mundane life quickly spirals into chaos and unexpected criminal entanglements.
The premise makes Chili Finger one of the more bizarre and intriguing comedies in the SXSW lineup. With a veteran cast that includes Sean Astin, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman and a storyline that blends crime, satire, and absurdity, the film feels in-line with SXSW’s offbeat sensibilities.
Hokum
Director: Damian McCarthy
Cast: Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, and Austin Amelio
SXSW Screenings:
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March 14, 2026 – 10: 00 PM – State Theater (World Premiere)
- March 15, 2026 – 5: 45 PM – Alamo Lamar 5
- March 17, 2026 – 6: 30 PM – Alamo Lamar 8
Hokum follows novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), who travels to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes. While staying at the isolated property, he becomes increasingly consumed by eerie stories about a witch said to haunt the inn’s honeymoon suite.
Director Damian McCarthy has already proven he knows how to craft atmospheric horror and this is his return to SXSW after winning the Midnighter Audience Award for Oddity. Hokum seems like it will lean heavily into folk horror and psychological dread. Based on the creepy as fuck trailer, the film has the potential to be one of the most discussed Midnight premieres at SXSW before its theatrical release later this year.
Family Movie
Directors: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Sosie Bacon, and Travis Bacon
SXSW Screenings:
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March 13, 2026 – 6:15 PM – ZACH Theater
- March 14, 2026 – 11:00 AM – Alamo Lamar 6
- March 16, 2026 – 5:00 PM – AFS Cinema
Family Movie is a meta horror-comedy about a dysfunctional filmmaking family attempting to shoot a low-budget slasher film together. Their chaotic production takes a wild turn when a real-life murder disrupts the set, forcing the family to continue making their movie while dealing with the terrifying reality unfolding around them.
What makes this film fascinating is it stars Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick alongside their children, Sosie and Travis Bacon. It feels like this could end up being a total blast or a total bust but I hope knowing the Bacon family, that this film will properly blend of horror, dark comedy, and real-life family dynamics giving Family Movie a unique hook that should make it one of the more entertaining and unusual premieres at SXSW.
