Early Oscar Buzz: 6 Movies to Watch After Sundance 2025

The Sundance Film Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the film industry, showcasing a wide range of independent films and documentaries from around the world. This year's festival, Sundance 2025, has just come to a close, and the buzz is already building around several films that could be contenders for the 2026 Oscars. In this article, we'll take a look at six movies that are generating early Oscar buzz and why they could be serious contenders for next year's awards.

The Sundance Film Festival has a long history of launching the careers of emerging filmmakers and showcasing films that go on to receive critical acclaim and awards recognition. Many films that premiere at Sundance go on to receive Oscar nominations, and some even take home the top prizes. With the 2026 Oscars still over a year away, it's early days yet, but several films from Sundance 2025 are already generating buzz and could be serious contenders for next year's awards.

1. The Nest

Directed by Sean Durkin, The Nest is a psychological drama that premiered at Sundance 2025 to widespread critical acclaim. The film stars Jude Law and Carrie Coon as a couple whose lives are turned upside down when they move to a new home in the English countryside. With its tense atmosphere and outstanding performances, The Nest is already being tipped as a potential Oscar contender for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director.

2. Passing

Based on the novel by Nella Larsen, Passing is a drama that explores the complex and often fraught relationships between black women in 1920s New York. Directed by Rebecca Hall, the film stars Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga as two women who reconnect after years apart, and it has been praised for its nuanced performances and thoughtful exploration of themes such as identity, class, and privilege. Passing could be a contender for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

3. The Power of the Dog

Directed by Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog is a western drama that premiered at Sundance 2025 to rave reviews. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst as a wealthy rancher and his wife who become embroiled in a bitter dispute with a neighboring rancher. With its sweeping landscapes, complex characters, and outstanding performances, The Power of the Dog is already being tipped as a potential Oscar contender for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Cinematography.

4. Codename: Butterfly

Directed by Maryam Touzani, Codename: Butterfly is a drama that explores the complex and often fraught relationships between women in a patriarchal society. The film stars Lubna Azabal and Nisrin Erradi as two women who form a close bond despite their differences, and it has been praised for its nuanced performances and thoughtful exploration of themes such as identity, class, and privilege. Codename: Butterfly could be a contender for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best International Feature Film.

5. The Souvenir: Part II

Directed by Joanna Hogg, The Souvenir: Part II is a drama that continues the story of a young film student who becomes embroiled in a complex and often fraught relationship with a charismatic but troubled man. The film stars Tilda Swinton and Honor Swinton Byrne as a mother and daughter who navigate the complexities of their relationship, and it has been praised for its nuanced performances and thoughtful exploration of themes such as identity, class, and privilege. The Souvenir: Part II could be a contender for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.

6. Mass

Directed by Fran Kranz, Mass is a drama that explores the complex and often fraught relationships between two couples who meet for a tense and emotional confrontation. The film stars Reed Birney and Ann Dowd as a couple who are struggling to come to terms with a traumatic event, and it has been praised for its nuanced performances and thoughtful exploration of themes such as grief, trauma, and forgiveness. Mass could be a contender for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.

Of course, it's still early days yet, and the Oscar race is always unpredictable. However, based on the buzz and acclaim generated by these six films at Sundance 2025, they are definitely worth keeping an eye on as we head into the 2026 awards season. With their outstanding performances, thoughtful exploration of themes, and nuanced direction, these films have the potential to make a big impact at the Oscars and leave a lasting impression on audiences around the world.