Cannes 2026: Hollywood Blockbusters Absent as Festival Embraces Indie and International Films

The 2026 Cannes Film Festival has kicked off this week on the Croisette, but one familiar presence is conspicuously absent: Hollywood. Unlike previous years, this edition features a lineup dominated by independent and international films, with no major Hollywood studio releases in sight.

This shift is no accident. Recent high-profile flops, such as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, suffered from mixed-to-negative critical reception months before their theatrical releases. The early backlash likely discouraged audiences from seeing these films in theaters, pushing studios to reconsider the risks of premiering blockbusters at Cannes.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, for instance, faced harsh criticism over a month before its 2023 release, giving potential moviegoers ample time to opt for streaming instead. Studios are now prioritizing caution in this environment, and Cannes 2026 reflects that strategy with a decidedly non-blockbuster lineup.

Notable absences include Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and The Mandalorian and Grogu, all of which could have been potential candidates for a Cannes premiere. While big-name actors like Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Javier Bardem, and Rami Malek are attending, the festival lacks the usual Hollywood glamour.

Will a critical darling emerge to claim the Palme d’Or? Could a hidden gem become the next Best Picture winner? TheWrap will provide comprehensive coverage throughout the festival to answer these questions.

Box Office Roundup: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Outperforms Mortal Kombat II

In box office news, Disney/20th Century’s The Devil Wears Prada 2 has extended its lead over Warner Bros./New Line’s Mortal Kombat II, securing the No. 1 spot for a second consecutive weekend.

The sequel, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, added $43 million domestically this weekend, a 44% drop from its opening frame. Strong word-of-mouth among women and robust international performance—including strong holds in the U.K., Italy, Brazil, and Mexico—boosted the film’s global total to $144.8 million domestically and $433.2 million overseas.

Mortal Kombat II, while not matching Prada 2’s day-to-day performance, delivered a solid opening with $40 million domestically and $63 million globally. This marks Warner Bros.’ best opening since Wuthering Heights in February and signals a rebound for the studio after recent underperformers like The Bride and They Will Kill