Cannes Film Festival 2026 Unveils Cannes Classics Lineup Featuring Guillermo del Toro, Bruce Dern, Dario Argento and Rare Restorations
The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival has announced an expansive and star-filled lineup for Cannes Classics 2026, celebrating cinema heritage through restored masterpieces, documentaries, short films, and contemporary works.
Running from May 12 to May 23, Cannes Classics will showcase 22 feature restorations, three short films, six documentaries, and two new contemporary titles. The 2026 edition is dedicated to the memory of legendary production designer Dean Tavoularis.
Among the major guests expected at the festival are Bruce Dern, Laura Dern, Guillermo del Toro, Artavazd Pelechian, Dario Argento, and Jerzy Skolimowski.
New Contemporary Films Join Cannes Classics
The section will also present two recent films exploring extraordinary women and the 20th century.
The Golden Age follows Jeanne Lavaur’s journey across wars, revolutions, and continents. Directed by Bérenger Thouin, the film stars Souheila Yacoub, Vassili Schneider, and Yile Yara Vianello.
Another highlight is A Life, A Manifesto by Jean-Gabriel Périot, documenting the life of revolutionary film critic Michèle Firk, known for her writings for Positif magazine and political activism.
Star-Powered Documentaries
One of the headline documentaries is DERNSIE: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern directed by Mike Mendez. The film explores Bruce Dern’s life and career through over fifty hours of conversations and includes appearances from Quentin Tarantino, Alexander Payne, and Laura Dern.
Another major documentary, Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean by Barnaby Thompson, examines the life and legacy of legendary director David Lean. The film is narrated by Cate Blanchett and features interviews with filmmakers including Wes Anderson, Francis Ford Coppola, and Denis Villeneuve.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth Returns in 4K
A major Cannes Classics event will be the 20th anniversary screening of Pan’s Labyrinth, restored in 4K under the supervision of Guillermo del Toro himself.
The acclaimed fantasy film will be screened as a pre-opening event on May 12 in the Debussy Theater, with del Toro attending the presentation. The film famously received a 22-minute standing ovation at its original Cannes premiere in 2006.
The Fast and the Furious Gets Midnight Screening
The Fast and the Furious will receive a restored 4K midnight screening at the Grand Théâtre Lumière on May 13.
Cast members Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, and producer Neil H. Moritz are expected to attend.
Rare Restorations and Cinema Heritage
The restored classics lineup spans global cinema history, including:
- Moonlighting by Jerzy Skolimowski
- Farewell My Concubine by Chen Kaige
- Sugata Sanshiro
- The Devils
- The Stranger
- Two Women
- Report to Mother by John Abraham
The program also includes the “Pelechian Project,” showcasing restored works by Armenian filmmaker Artavazd Pelechian.
Short Films and Special Screenings
Three contemporary short films will receive special screenings, including:
- Goodnight Lamby by artist Dustin Yellin, featuring Paul Rudd
- Torino Shadow by Jia Zhang-Ke starring Zhao Tao
- Playground by Amirhossein Shojaei
Cannes Classics remains one of the festival’s most celebrated sections, highlighting restored cinema, rediscovered works, and the preservation of film heritage for new generations of audiences.
By: Cem Kaplan