Reviewer Picks 5 Standouts From 24 Films Screened at 2026 Cannes

6 articles · Updated · Vogue · May 23

Five films emerged as the reviewer’s standouts after 24 screenings at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, including 15 of the 22 Palme d’Or contenders.
Cristian Mungiu’s “Fjord” led the list as a bleak custody thriller set in Norway, while Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Minotaur” impressed as a chilling portrait of a Russian CEO during the 2022 Ukraine war.
Jordan Firstman’s “Club Kid” was singled out as a crowd-pleasing comedy about a New York party promoter and his 10-year-old son, with A24 already securing distribution after a bidding war.
Quentin Dupieux’s 78-minute “Full Phil” earned praise for absurdist comedy led by Kristen Stewart and Woody Harrelson, and Rafiki Fariala’s “Congo Boy” stood out as a vibrant coming-of-age drama set in Bangui.
The picks suggest a quieter Cannes still produced memorable work across thriller, comedy and social drama, with several titles positioned as awards or theatrical prospects in the coming months.

Does a quieter Cannes signal a brave new future for auteur cinema or a decline in the festival's global influence?

Will the Palme d'Or winner 'Fjord' ignite real-world debate on controversial European child protection laws?

After his anti-war plea at Cannes, what is the professional and personal future for Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev?