Toronto 2026: McDonagh, Herzog, Fern Films Added

The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival just got a whole lot more interesting. Organizers have dropped the final wave of titles joining this year’s lineup, and the mix is as eclectic as you’d hope - Martin McDonagh, Werner Herzog, and a certain American Horror Story alum are all heading to the Great White North this September.

Leading the charge is McDonagh, the Irish playwright-turned-filmmaker who has a knack for blending pitch-black humor with gut-punching drama. His latest project, which had been shrouded in secrecy until now, will make its world premiere at TIFF. While plot details remain under wraps, the very presence of McDonagh in the festival slate is enough to send cinephiles into a frenzy. The man behind In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Banshees of Inisherin doesn’t miss, and Toronto audiences are in for a treat. Expect razor-sharp dialogue, morally messy characters, and at least one scene that makes you laugh uncomfortably before you realize you probably shouldn’t have.

Then there’s Werner Herzog, the legendary German director who’s built a career on chasing the extremes of human experience - sometimes literally dragging a boat over a mountain in Fitzcarraldo or staring into an active volcano in Into the Inferno. His new film, also premiering at the festival, promises more of the same unflinching, philosophical storytelling that has made him a godfather of independent cinema. Herzog doesn't do safe, and with TIFF serving as the launchpad, this untitled project is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about entries of the year. Whether it’s a documentary or narrative feature remains to be seen, but with Herzog, the line between the two is often deliciously blurred anyway.

Rounding out the trio is Cody Fern, the Australian actor best known for his scene-stealing turns in American Horror Story and The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Fern is stepping into the director’s chair for the first time with a feature that’s been described as a bold, character-driven piece. Given his background in high-octane, emotionally charged television, it’s safe to assume his directorial debut won’t be shy about going to dark places. Fern has always had a magnetic presence on screen - there’s something inherently unsettling yet captivating about his performances - so seeing how he translates that energy behind the camera is going to be a must-watch.

These three additions round out a TIFF lineup that was already stacked with heavy hitters. The festival has long been a launchpad for awards-season contenders, and this year’s crop is no exception. With McDonagh’s pedigree, Herzog’s cult status, and Fern’s rising star power, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the most diverse in recent memory. It’s the kind of programming that reminds you why TIFF isn’t just a film festival - it’s a four-season buffet of cinematic ambition.

For Fern, the leap to directing is a bold move, but it makes sense. He’s always been drawn to complex, often tormented characters, and as a filmmaker, he’ll have full control over the kind of stories he wants to tell. Plus, having his debut land at a festival of TIFF’s caliber is no small feat. It signals that the industry is taking him seriously as more than just a charismatic face on a TV screen. There’s something exhilarating about watching an actor make that pivot, and early whispers suggest Fern’s project has the kind of raw, intimate energy that could make it a sleeper hit.

McDonagh, meanwhile, is returning to familiar territory - Toronto has been good to him in the past, with both Three Billboards and The Banshees of Inisherin premiering there before going on to dominate awards season. If history is any indicator, this new film could be his next big awards play. He’s a director who works on his own schedule, sometimes leaving years between projects, so any new McDonagh joint is reason to celebrate.

Herzog, on the other hand, is practically a festival institution at this point. The man has directed over 70 films, and he shows no signs of slowing down. At 83, he remains as curious and restless as ever, and his latest project is expected to be another meditation on the wild, the absurd, and the profoundly human. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t just entertain - it lingers in your brain long after the credits roll.

TIFF runs from September 10 through September 20, and with these final additions, the schedule is officially complete. If you’re lucky enough to snag tickets, you’re in for a wild ride. Between McDonagh’s dark wit, Herzog’s existential wanderings, and Fern’s bold directorial debut, this is the kind of lineup that makes you want to book a flight to Toronto immediately. Just don’t blame us if you end up spending the entire festival in line for screenings - trust us, it’s worth it.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter