TIFF 2026 Red Carpet Turns Heads as Jodie Comer, Dylan O’Brien, Josh Hartnett and More Debut New Films
The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival is officially underway, and Thursday, September 10, brought a packed lineup of major premieres and star-studded red carpets.
Jodie Comer, Dylan O’Brien, Josh Hartnett, Sebastian Stan, Naomi Watts and plenty of other familiar faces descended on Toronto as they unveiled their latest movies and projects at TIFF.
With the festival traditionally serving as an important early stop on the awards-season calendar, Thursday’s premieres could offer some of the first clues about which films and performances may emerge as serious Oscar contenders later this year.
Here’s a look at the biggest premieres from September 10.
Stuffed — Jodie Comer and Harry Melling
Jodie Comer and Harry Melling stepped onto the red carpet for the premiere of Stuffed, an unusual blend of dark comedy, romance and musical elements.
The story follows Araminta, an isolated mortician and taxidermist with an unusual dream, whose life changes after she encounters Bernie, a lonely factory worker who makes an extraordinary request. Comer attended the premiere in a Fendi Couture dress.
River — Jane Levy and Jessica Rothe
Jane Levy, Jessica Rothe, Max Mattern and Dane DiLiegro appeared together at the premiere of River. The film centers on estranged siblings who travel by family boat to scatter their late father’s ashes.
Their plans take a disturbing turn when they become stranded beneath a deteriorating bridge and encounter a mysterious man watching them from the shoreline.
Old family tensions quickly resurface, but the siblings are forced to put their differences aside when the unsettling stranger becomes an immediate threat to their survival.
Being Heumann — Dylan O’Brien
Dylan O’Brien joined his castmates at the TIFF premiere of Being Heumann, a film based on the extraordinary life and activism of Judy Heumann.
The story follows Heumann’s fight for accessibility and disability rights as she organized ordinary Americans with disabilities into a powerful movement demanding that the U.S. government uphold its commitments. O’Brien attended Thursday night’s premiere alongside members of the film’s cast.
Fjord — Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan hit the red carpet for Fjord, appearing at the premiere with director Cristian Mungiu. The film follows a Norwegian woman and her deeply religious Romanian husband after they move with their five children to a remote coastal community.
Their teenage children quickly become close with a neighboring family, but tensions rise as questions surrounding their strict beliefs begin to emerge. When allegations of abuse surface, the families are forced to navigate a situation where concern, suspicion and prejudice become increasingly difficult to separate.
The movie also stars Renate Reinsve and is scheduled to arrive in theaters October 9.
Below — Josh Hartnett
Josh Hartnett brought his new limited series Below to TIFF, joined by co-stars Mackenzie Davis, Ruby Stokes, Charlie Heaton, Rohan Campbell and Natasha Henstridge.
Hartnett plays Calvin Penney, a stubborn but big-hearted fisherman living in a small Newfoundland community while still carrying the weight of his father’s mysterious death.
Everything changes when an unidentified sea creature begins terrorizing the town. Calvin teams up with marine researcher Mackenzie Davis’ character to protect his family and community while investigating the secrets surrounding the island.
The six-part series combines local folklore, suspense and humor while exploring family, community and the fear of change. Henstridge attended the event in a Gustavo Cadile gown. Below premieres on Netflix October 8.
Rapinoe — Megan Rapinoe
Soccer icon Megan Rapinoe also arrived in Toronto for the premiere of her new documentary, Rapinoe. The film explores Rapinoe’s journey from growing up in a conservative small town and coming out as queer to becoming one of the most recognizable players of her generation.
It also examines her activism, including her campaign for equal pay between men and women, as well as the personal challenges she faced while living under intense public scrutiny.
The documentary looks beyond her achievements on the soccer field and focuses on what winning, losing and becoming a champion have meant to Rapinoe personally.
The Housewife — Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts attended the premiere of The Housewife alongside co-stars Luke Evans, Tye Sheridan and Michael Imperioli. Set in 1964, the film follows Hermine, played by Watts, and her husband Russel, who appear to be living a conventional life in New York City.
Their world begins to unravel after Hermine meets New York Times journalist Joseph Lelyveld. Acting on information from a Holocaust survivor, Joseph begins investigating whether Russel could be a Nazi living under a false identity.
As his investigation progresses and his relationship with Hermine becomes increasingly complicated, a series of unexpected revelations begins to transform the story. Watts wore Celine for the premiere.
TIFF’s September 10 Red Carpet Was Packed With Stars
From Jodie Comer’s Stuffed and Dylan O’Brien’s Being Heumann to Sebastian Stan’s Fjord, Josh Hartnett’s Below, Megan Rapinoe’s documentary and Naomi Watts’ The Housewife, Thursday delivered one of TIFF 2026’s busiest stretches of premieres so far.
With awards season now approaching, the festival’s coming days could reveal even more potential breakout performances, acclaimed films and early Oscar contenders.
