SXSW 2026: 15 Film & TV Premieres We’re Excited to See in Austin
SXSW Graphic Via The Cinema Group
From Lisa Kudrow’s long-awaited return in ‘The Comeback’ to Boots Riley’s new satire ‘I Love Boosters,’ SXSW 2026 is packed with bold premieres across film and television.
Each spring, South by Southwest transforms Austin into one of the most energetic hubs in entertainment. Filmmakers, actors, studios and streaming platforms descend on Texas for a week packed with premieres, panels and late-night screenings that often become the first step toward a film or series breaking into the cultural conversation.
The festival has long served as a launchpad for projects that blur the line between indie experimentation and mainstream success. SXSW audiences have historically embraced genre mashups, daring comedies and emotionally raw documentaries, making it the perfect venue for filmmakers willing to take risks.
This year’s lineup feels particularly stacked, bringing together returning festival favorites, ambitious new directors and some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. From horror thrillers and dark comedies to buzzy TV premieres and emotional documentaries, here are 15 film and television projects generating the most excitement in Austin this week.
The Comeback (Season 3)
Hello, hello, hello — Valerie Cherish is back. The cult HBO comedy The Comeback returns for its long-awaited third season, once again starring Lisa Kudrow as the hilariously delusional sitcom actress navigating Hollywood’s ever-changing industry.
After winning an Emmy in the Season 2 finale, Valerie now finds herself starring in a comedy series written by artificial intelligence — a premise that feels both absurd and eerily plausible. Created by Michael Patrick King, the show’s SXSW premiere offers fans the first look at the new season ahead of its HBO release later this month.
#SkyKing
SXSW
Director Patricia E. Gillespie’s documentary #SkyKing revisits the shocking 2018 incident in which Richard “Beebo” Russell, a Horizon Air employee, stole a plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport before crashing it.
The film uses Russell’s haunting audio conversation with air traffic control as its narrative backbone, transforming the story into a meditation on mental health, loneliness and economic pressure in modern America. Produced by ABC News and Fifth Season, the documentary is set to premiere on Hulu on April 14.
#WhileBlack
Credit: Fathom Film Group
The documentary #WhileBlack examines the intersection of social media and police violence through the stories of Darnella Frazier and Diamond Reynolds.
Directed by Jennifer Holness and Sidney Fussell, the film explores how viral videos documenting the deaths of George Floyd and Philando Castile changed global conversations about policing while also highlighting how social media platforms profit from moments of profound tragedy.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Produced by A24 and written by David E. Kelley, this adaptation of Rufi Thorpe’s novel stars Dakota Fanning as a struggling writer who unexpectedly becomes pregnant and turns to an unconventional solution to make ends meet.
The series also features Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Marcia Gay Harden and Nicole Kidman, promising a sharp comedic look at family, financial survival and internet fame. The first three episodes debut April 15 on Apple TV+.
The Audacity
SXSW
From “Succession” writer Jonathan Glatzer comes the new AMC drama The Audacity, which skewers the ego-driven world of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.
The series stars Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg and Zach Galifianakis as tech visionaries whose dreams of changing the world collide with their own ethical compromises. It premieres April 12 on AMC and AMC+.
Over Your Dead Body
Credit: Jorma Taccone
Directed by Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island, this dark comedy thriller follows a couple who retreat to a remote cabin — each secretly planning to murder the other.
The film stars Samara Weaving and Jason Segel, with Timothy Olyphant and Juliette Lewis rounding out the cast. After debuting at SXSW, the film arrives in theaters April 24.
Pretty Lethal
Credit: Prime Video
A group of ballerinas must fight for survival after becoming stranded in a remote forest in this thriller directed by Vicky Jewson.
The ensemble cast includes Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika and Maddie Ziegler. The film heads to Amazon Prime Video on March 25.
The Sun Never Sets
Credit: The Alaska Project LLC
Joe Swanberg returns to SXSW with this relationship drama starring Dakota Fanning, Jake Johnson and Cory Michael Smith.
The film explores a complicated love triangle shaped by divorce, unexpected reunions and the lingering tension of unresolved relationships.
The Dads
Fathers of trans kids gather from across the U.S. for a weekend retreat in Maine in 2024. Credit: Ukachi Arinzeh
Following the emotional impact of the original short film released in 2023, director Luchina Fisher expands The Dads into a feature-length documentary.
Produced by Dwyane Wade, the film offers an intimate look at fathers supporting their transgender children amid an increasingly fraught political landscape.
Family Movie
Credit: Dominic Leon
In this horror-comedy, Kevin Bacon directs and stars alongside his real-life family — including Kyra Sedgwick and their children Sosie and Travis Bacon.
The story follows a family that produces low-budget horror films on their farm, only to discover a real dead body during production.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
The sequel to the cult hit Ready or Not brings back Samara Weaving as Grace MacCauley, who once again finds herself hunted by the wealthy elite who view murder as a twisted tradition.
The new chapter promises the same dark humor and blood-soaked satire that made the original a modern horror favorite.
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I Love Boosters
Keke Palmer stars in ‘I Love Boosters’ - Courtesy of NEON
Boots Riley returns after the breakout success of Sorry to Bother You with a new satirical crime film about a group of shoplifters targeting luxury fashion stores.
Keke Palmer leads the cast alongside Naomi Ackie, Don Cheadle, Demi Moore and Will Poulter in what promises to be one of the festival’s most talked-about premieres.
Power Ballad
Music-driven filmmaker John Carney directs this comedy starring Paul Rudd as a struggling wedding singer whose life changes after a chance encounter with a boy-band star played by Nick Jonas.
The story explores fame, creativity and the complicated politics of songwriting success.
Forbidden Fruits
A mall employee leads her coworkers in an after-hours witch coven in this horror film starring Lili Reinhart, Victoria Pedretti and Alexandra Shipp.
The premise evokes a Gen Z spin on The Craft, blending supernatural elements with teenage rebellion.
Love Language
CREDIT: ANDREW WEHDE
Chloë Grace Moretz stars in this romantic comedy about a professional wedding vow writer who realizes she is composing a speech meant for her own former best friend and crush.
The ensemble cast includes Manny Jacinto, Anthony Ramos, Lukas Gage and Billie Lourd, promising a classic rom-com twist amid the festival’s darker genre fare.
SXSW has long been a launchpad for films that blur the line between indie experimentation and mainstream breakout success. With a lineup spanning heartfelt documentaries, dark comedies and star-driven television debuts, the 2026 edition looks poised to continue that tradition — giving audiences their first look at the stories Hollywood will be talking about long after Austin clears out.
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