SXSW is where genre films go feral, indies get discovered, and at least one midnight screening turns into the movie everyone pretends they saw first.

This year’s lineup feels aggressive in the best way. Big casts. Horror dominance. Streaming premieres are stacked next to theatrical plays. And more than a few projects are arriving in Austin already primed for major releases.

Here’s what we’re most excited about (in no particular order) and what could absolutely own the festival.

I Love Boosters

Starring: Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, Demi Moore
Written and Directed by: Boots Riley
In Theaters: May 22
Distributed by: Neon (U.S. and Canada), Focus Features, and Universal Pictures (International)

Boots Riley does not do subtle. I Love Boosters follows a crew of women running organized retail theft operations with Riley’s signature anti-capitalist bite.

With Neon backing it and a May theatrical release already locked, this is not just a festival premiere. It is a launch.

Prediction: One of the biggest conversation starters of SXSW. Strong box office potential for a smart genre comedy.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Starring: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Cronenberg, Elijah Wood
In Theaters: March 20, 2026

This one hits theaters almost immediately after SXSW, which means the Austin crowd is about to serve as the ultimate hype machine. The original was a horror darling. The sequel is bigger, bloodier, and stacked with genre royalty.

Prediction: Midnight screening chaos. Social media meltdown. Strong opening weekend.

Pretty Lethal

Starring: Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Iris Apatow, Maddie Ziegler, Avantika, Uma Thurman
Streaming on Prime Video: March 25

Beauty pageants and revenge with Uma Thurman? Yes.

Landing on Prime Video just days after SXSW makes this a built-in viral moment. If the tone balances glossy satire with actual bite, this could easily dominate streaming charts.

Prediction: Gen Z obsession. TikTok edits incoming.

Over Your Dead Body

Starring: Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis
In Theaters: April 24, 2026

An action comedy thriller remake of The Trip, directed by Jorma Taccone. The cast alone suggests chaos. The story follows a man and his wife who head to a secluded cabin to repair their damaged relationship, not knowing that each secretly plans to kill the other.

With an April theatrical release, SXSW is clearly the ignition point.

Prediction: Divisive but loud. Word of mouth will determine its legs.

Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice

Starring: Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza González, Jimmy Tatro
Streaming on Hulu: March 27

This buddy action comedy premieres at SXSW and then lands on Hulu within weeks. That turnaround is aggressive and confident. The story follows two friends navigating the dangerous world of organized crime, testing their loyalty and survival skills as they get deeper into the criminal underworld.

Vince Vaughn at a festival crowd screening is always a moment.

Prediction: Crowd pleaser that performs extremely well on Hulu.

Hokum

Starring: Adam Scott
In Theaters: May 1, 2026

Damian McCarthy directing Adam Scott in supernatural horror is exactly the kind of thing SXSW audiences love to champion.

With a May theatrical release, this is positioned to ride strong festival buzz straight into genre success.

Prediction: Critics’ favorite. Strong horror word of mouth.

Normal

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Lena Headey, Henry Winkler
In Limited Release: April 17, 2026

Bob Odenkirk reteams with action sensibilities in this Ben Wheatley-directed thriller. Odenkirk plays a small-town sheriff who uncovers dark mysteries after a local bank robbery.

Limited release suggests confidence in performance-driven buzz.

Prediction: Expands if reviews are strong.

The Shitheads

Starring: Dave Franco, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Peter Dinklage
U.S. Distribution: Acquired by Independent Film Company for summer 2026 release

Already premiered at Sundance, this rock-bottom transport comedy has cult energy written all over it. The story follows two people who have hit rock bottom and are forced to work together to transport a rich, troubled teen to rehab for a shady transport service.

Prediction: Summer sleeper comedy.

Forbidden Fruits

Starring: Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Gabrielle Union
In Theaters and on Shudder: March 27, 2026

A witchy femme cult operating in a mall basement. It’s giving The Craft meets Mean Girls. I’m all in.

The release strategy signals confidence in horror crossover appeal.

Prediction: Horror fans claim it immediately.

They Will Kill You

Starring: Zazie Beetz, Myha’la, Tom Felton, Patricia Arquette
In Theaters: March 27, 2026
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Action comedy horror set in a mysterious New York high-rise with disappearances? Yes.

Warner Bros. backing this gives it scale.

Prediction: Potential breakout genre hit of SXSW.

The rest of the lineup, including DreamQuil starring John C. Reilly and Elizabeth Banks, Grind tackling hustle culture horror, and the quinceañera creature feature Fifteen, adds even more unpredictability.

What makes SXSW different is momentum. Many of these films are not months away. They are weeks away from release. The buzz built in Austin will directly impact opening weekends and streaming numbers.

This year feels less like discovery and more like ignition. And we are ready.