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Top Films to See at the 2026 Bath Film Festival
- Chris Olson
- 15 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Film Festival Feature by Chris Olson
Film lovers across the South West are preparing for one of the most vibrant fixtures on the UK cinematic calendar: the 36th edition of the Bath Film Festival.
Running from 16 to 25 October, this 10-day celebration of cinema presents a remarkable blend of major autumn festival previews, internationally decorated triumphs, and intriguing UK premieres across the historic city.
What makes Bath Film Festival so vital, especially in an era where film consumption can feel isolated and algorithm-driven, is its unwavering dedication to shared human connection. With over half the programme F-rated, celebrating work written and directed by women and non-binary filmmakers, the festival consistently pushes bold, necessary perspectives to the fore.
The newly unveiled 2026 programme has given film fans plenty to get excited about. Having combed through the lineup, here are the absolute top titles you may want to see.
Wild Horse Nine
Serving as the Opening Night Gala, Wild Horse Nine instantly leaps out as an unmissable theatrical event. Director Martin McDonagh follows up the sublime brilliance of The Banshees of Inisherin with a pitch-black comedy starring Sam Rockwell, John Malkovich, and Steve Buscemi.
Set against the chaotic backdrop of CIA agents embroiled in the 1973 Chilean coup, McDonagh’s knack for razor-sharp dialogue, absurd moral dilemmas, and explosive dynamic performances promises to start the festival with a bang. Catching this powerhouse cast on the opening night will set the bar sky-high.
Fjord
Fresh off winning the prestigious 2026 Palme d’Or at Cannes, Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord feels like required viewing for anyone who appreciates deep, masterfully crafted drama. Our critic, Jack Salvadori, reviewed this previously. Read our Fjord film review.
Reuniting Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, the film explores the intense psychological pressure on a pair of parents whose family unit faces scrutiny within a tight-knit, isolated Norwegian community. Mungiu’s ability to weave taut moral tension out of human vulnerability is legendary, and pairing two of modern cinema’s most exciting actors under his direction promises an unforgettable experience.
Wicker
If you are looking for pure cinematic eccentricity, Wicker sounds like an utter delight. Billed as an unconventional adult fairy tale, the film stars the magnificent Olivia Colman as an outcast fisherwoman who decides to hire a local basketweaver—played by Peter Dinklage—to craft her the perfect husband. The whimsical, darkly comedic potential of Colman and Dinklage sharing the screen in such a surreal narrative is immense. It is exactly the kind of idiosyncratic, inventive story that festival audiences live for.
The Debut
Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, The Debut brings a sharp, character-driven comedy to the festival. The story follows a reserved housewife whose minor role in a local community theatre production devolves into a hilarious, obsessive war over creative integrity.
Starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, the project possesses a formidable acting pedigree. Eisenberg has proven himself to be a wonderfully observant storyteller, and seeing Moore and Giamatti lock horns over small-town theatrics is guaranteed to be a highlight.
I Love Boosters
Closing out the ten days in chaotic style is I Love Boosters, the new crime comedy from Sorry to Bother You auteur Boots Riley. Read our I Love Boosters film review.
Centred on an intrepid crew of female shoplifters taking aim at an unrepentant, ruthless fashion mogul, Riley’s anarchic spirit and fiery social commentary are tailor-made for a Closing Night Gala. If his past work is anything to go by, audiences can expect a stylish, wildly unpredictable, and fiercely energetic finale.
UK Premieres to Watch
Beyond the headline galas, Bath Film Festival remains a fantastic launchpad for emerging talent and undiscovered regional stories. This year brings four exclusive UK premieres, including the South West coming-of-age thriller Such a Vivid Imagination, which follows a 12-year-old girl who finds a body in the woods that vanishes before anyone can verify her story.
With the filmmakers attending for post-screening Q&As, as well as the team behind the tense Canadian thriller The Parking Spot, these sessions offer the rare, intimate dialogue between creators and audiences that makes festival-going so rewarding.
Whether you are seeking heavy-hitting award contenders, quirky indie breakouts, or thought-provoking documentaries like the Sundance-winning Nuisance Bear, Bath Film Festival 2026 is shaping up to be an extraordinary ten days. Tickets go on public sale on Friday 11th September, so clear your diaries and get ready to dive in.
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