The Toronto International Film Festival rolls into day two on Friday, September 11, and after a whirlwind opening night, the festival settles into the rhythm that will carry it through the next ten days: back-to-back premieres, red carpets scattered across the entertainment district, and a downtown core fully taken over by movie fans. Here’s what’s on deck.
What to Expect
Day two is when TIFF really hits its stride. Where opening night is built around a single ceremonial premiere, day two spreads star power across multiple venues and times of day — daytime galas, early-evening special presentations, and a late-night Midnight Madness slot all running in parallel. Expect road closures to remain in effect around King Street West, along with steady crowds gathering outside the Princess of Wales, Royal Alexandra, and Scotiabank theatres hoping for a red carpet glimpse.
Who’s Coming
Three names stand out on today’s guest list. Cynthia Erivo is in town with Prima Facie, Lee Min-ho arrives with The Assassin(s), and Chris Rock premieres his film Misty Green — all strong contenders for the day’s busiest red carpets. They’re joined by a wider wave of stars circulating through the festival’s opening weekend, including Channing Tatum, Sebastian Stan, Jesse Eisenberg, Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Penélope Cruz, Seth Rogen, Guy Pearce, Jack O’Connell, and Mahershala Ali, alongside directors Danny Boyle and Lee Chang-dong making the rounds for their own premieres and industry conversations.
Films to Watch
Onwards and Sideways — This British drama premieres Friday morning at the Scotiabank Theatre with a top-tier ensemble: Laura Linney, Rhys Ifans, Monica Dolan, and Rory Kinnear. A daytime pick for anyone prioritizing prestige acting over spectacle.
Misty Green — Chris Rock’s new film gets its premiere today, one of the higher-profile galas on the day-two calendar and a strong bet for a packed house and an animated post-screening Q&A.
The Assassin(s) — Lee Min-ho’s film brings international star power and a built-in fanbase eager to see him on the big screen, making this one of the day’s hotter tickets for anyone chasing a red carpet moment.
The Face of Horror — For night owls, Anna Biller closes out day two with TIFF’s Midnight Madness slot: a medieval revenge story inspired by the Japanese ghost tale Yotsuya Kaidan, starring Kristine Froseth, Jonah Hauer-King, Leo Suter, and Ellie Bamber.
Day two also carries momentum from Thursday’s openers, with follow-up screenings of buzzy titles like Fjord, The Housewife, and Stuffed still drawing crowds as word of mouth builds.
TIFF 2026 runs through September 20 across Toronto, with Festival Street and the Rogers Red Carpet both open to the public through the weekend.