A24 Lands Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite’ After Eight-Figure Sundance Bidding War

One of Sundance 2026’s most competitive acquisition battles has a winner.

A24 has emerged victorious in the high-stakes Sundance Film Festival bidding war for The Invite, the latest feature from director Olivia Wilde, produced by Annapurna Pictures. Sources confirm the deal closed in the eight-figure range, with bids opening north of $10 million and escalating over the course of a three-day marathon negotiation.

The acquisition capped off an intense three-studio race that ultimately came down to A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.’ newly launched contemporary film label led by former NEON executive Christian Parkes. Several major players — including Netflix, NEON, and Searchlight Pictures — were also in contention earlier in the process before narrowing began.

For A24, the deal signals another major theatrical-forward swing at Sundance, aligning with Wilde’s own preference for a traditional release. The film arrives with strong audience momentum following its Park City premiere and continues Wilde’s evolution as a filmmaker after the commercial success of Don’t Worry Darling, which opened to nearly $20 million at the domestic box office in 2022.

The Invite marks a creative reunion between Wilde and Annapurna’s Megan Ellison, who previously collaborated with the director on Booksmart. The new film leans into chamber-piece intimacy: Wilde directs and stars alongside Seth Rogen, with Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz completing the central quartet.

The story centers on two couples colliding over a single dinner evening, as unresolved resentments, power dynamics, and sexual politics surface in increasingly volatile ways. Wilde shot the film sequentially, treating the Rashida Jones and Will McCormack script adaptation as a stage play translated to screen — an approach that places performance, timing, and escalation at the forefront.

Following the film’s Sundance debut, Wilde described the premiere as a rare communal experience, emphasizing the energy of laughing alongside a packed festival audience — a reaction that only intensified buyer interest as word spread through Park City.

The deal was brokered by UTA Independent Film Group and FilmNation. Wilde is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, Narrative, and JSSK. Cruz is also repped by CAA, while Norton, Rogen, Jones, and McCormack are represented by UTA.

With The Invite, A24 adds another high-profile, performance-driven title to its 2026 slate — and Sundance once again proves it can still ignite a true acquisition frenzy.

Joanthan P. Moustakas

Jonathan P. Moustakas founded The Cinema Group in 2020 during the challenges of the pandemic, after losing the vital ability to find community in theaters and escape through the captivating magic of cinema. Feeling profoundly cut off from the vibrant film community he cherished, he sought to create a welcoming home for dedicated cinema fans while providing engaging, daily curated content that resonates with their passions. Years later, The Cinema Group has blossomed from a small collective of loyal fans into a thriving brand that reaches millions of audiences every month across a diverse array of platforms and mediums.

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