SXSW is always an exciting time of year, and the 2025 festival is no exception! This year’s film and TV lineup features hundreds of new titles, from big-name, big-budget features to smaller indie gems. It’s a lot to keep up with!
While not everything coming out of SXSW 2025 is going to be a big hit, we’re definitely keeping an eye on a few of this year’s biggest debuts. In no particular order, here are ten of the titles we’re most excited about out of this year’s SXSW!
The Studio
The TV premieres at SXSW this year run the gamut, but one of the biggest names is definitely The Studio. Apple TV+’s comedy stars Seth Rogen as the new head of an embattled Hollywood studio. With the help (or hindrance) of an eclectic crew, he’ll do his best to save the studio in a world where movies struggle for attention and relevance. Co-stars include some of our favorite divas, like Catherine O’Hara and Kathryn Hahn!
The Studio debuts March 26 on Apple TV+.
The Rivals of Amziah King
One of the buzziest movies out of SXSW 2025 has to be this sprawling, star-studded, Oklahoma-set epic. Matthew McConaughey stars as the titular character, a small-town honey-making businessman who gets caught up in some honey crimes (yes, really). The return of his Choctaw former foster daughter, Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass), opens up more drama, as Kateri goes even deeper into local leaders’ corruption.
The Threesome
If you like rom-coms with a twist, this SXSW entry is for you. The scandalous title refers to the movie’s inciting event. It starts with an unexpected night between a waitress (Zoey Deutch), the man who’s been crushing on her for ages (Jonah Hauer-King), and a new customer (Ruby Cruz). The aftermath of their would-be one-time hookup forces the three to stay in each other’s orbits, with soapy, silly, and sometimes sweet consequences.
Drop
Think your first dates are nightmarish? This SXSW 2025 feature takes the idea of a bad first date to paranoid-thriller levels. Meghann Fahy plays Violet, a widowed mom nervous to go on her first date in years. Making things worse? An unknown enemy has her sister and son in their sights, and they’re threatening the worst unless Violet does exactly what they demand on her date.
The Accountant 2
Is it going to be an Oscar-winning masterpiece? No, but it’s a fun enough buddy comedy! This action-comedy sequel is one of the biggest titles coming out of SXSW 2025 just by sheer virtue of its Ben Affleck/Jon Bernthal headliner team-up. Affleck’s savant-turned-assassin gets back in the game, this time with an assist from his estranged hitman brother (Bernthal). It’s proof that SXSW is for the crowd-pleasers as much as the quirky faves.
Another Simple Favor
The glossy domestic thriller is a genre of its own at this point, and Another Simple Favor hits all the expected notes. In this sequel, Emily (Blake Lively) is out of jail, and she’s jet-setting to Italy to marry a wealthy heir. She invites frenemy Steph (Anna Kendrick) to be her bridesmaid, but things quickly go off the rails when someone starts murdering the wedding guests. Also: can we get Henry Golding in another rom-com sometime, please?
Another Simple Favor arrives on Prime Video on May 1.
Fantasy Life
In between the splashy features at SXSW, this family dramedy deserves a share of the spotlight. Director Matthew Shear also stars as Sam, a soft-spoken tax lawyer who’s just been laid off. His therapist’s wife suggests he babysit for her son’s family. Along the way, he connects with Dianne (Amanda Peet), whose career downturns and mental health struggles make her something of a kindred spirit. The unlikely (and messy) bonds turn into something comedic without being mocking.
The Last of Us Season 2
Okay, so The Last of Us didn’t actually premiere a full episode at SXSW. But it did get some of the biggest buzz out of the festival, thanks to the debut of its Season 2 trailer at a cast panel. The trailer teases big betrayals, heart-wrenching moments, and huge twists. And, of course, there’s the debut of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, a game-changing character from the game.
The Last of Us Season 2 debuts April 13 on Max.
On Swift Horses
The closing-night pick for SXSW 2025, this romantic drama has already been earning buzz on the festival circuit. It tells the story of young people searching for meaning and love in mid-century America, all while constrained by societal rules and expectations of the era. The cast includes Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, and Will Poulter. Unlike some other SXSW entries, On Swift Horses is already slated for theatrical distribution.
On Swift Horses arrives in theaters on April 25.
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! To mark the milestone, this documentary showcases the history of the cult-favorite musical. With cast interviews, archival footage, and homages to the fiercely devoted fans over the last half-century, it’s a tribute to the joys of community, theatricality, and being as weird as you want!
