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This Thursday marks the beginning of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, one of the biggest film festivals in the world. Ever since the festival was founded in 1981 by the Sundance kid himself—Robert Redford—thousands of filmmakers, journalists, and movie lovers descend on Park City, Utah every year to get a glimpse at some of the best films 2020 has to offer. And this year, Decider will be among them. Stay tuned!
Traditionally, Sundance has been a platform for small films looking for distribution, the festival has grown and grown and gotten bigger and bigger. These days, many of the films premiering at Sundance already have a home, and this year, a lot of those homes are streaming platforms. Namely, Netflix. Netflix is premiering ten films at Sundance Film Festival this year, from star-studded awards hopefuls like Dee Ree’s The Last Thing He Wanted starring Anne Hathaway and Ben Affleck, to international documentaries like Into the Deep. And of course, then there’s the big opening night film of the festival: Netflix’s Taylor Swift documentary, Miss Americana.
In addition to Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu also have their hats in the Sundance ring. Disney+ will premiere its new kids’ film, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, while Hulu will present all four episodes of its new docuseries about Hillary Rodham Clinton, followed by a panel with the former Secretary of State herself.
Sundance is also a place streamers go to buy new content, so doubt, this list will grow. Amazon Studios, for example, does not currently have any films premiering at the festival, though in previous years the streamer nabbed hit films like The Big Sick at Sundance.
This year, Sundance Film Festival runs from January 23 to February 2. Stay tuned for Decider’s coverage of the first weekend, and check out the films—and one limited docuseries—premiering at the festival from Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu.
'Taylor Swift: Miss Americana'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 23
Netflix release date: January 31
Mega pop star Taylor Swift is getting her own Netflix original documentary, and it’s opening the Sundance Film Festival. Emmy award-winning director Lana Wilson (After Tiller, The Departure) is bringing, according to the Netflix description, “a raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.” Be sure to look for Decider’s review of the world premiere on January 23, 2020.
'The Last Thing He Wanted'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 27
Netflix release date: 2020 TBA
Written and directed by Dee Rees (who was nominated for an Academy Award for her 2017 film, Mudbound) and based on a book by Joan Didion, this political thriller stars Anne Hathaway as a journalist covering the 1984 U.S. Presidential election. Willem Dafoe plays her father, while Ben Affleck plays a U.S. State Official. Just give it to me already! It will premiere at Sundance on January 27, but a streaming release has not yet been set.
'Horse Girl'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 27
Netflix release date: February 7
This drama stars Alison Brie as a reclusive, socially awkward “horse girl,” whose strange dreams start to drive her insane. In addition to starring, Brie also co-wrote the script with director Jeff Baena (Life After Beth). Debby Ryan, John Reynolds, Molly Shannon, John Ortiz, and Paul Reiser also star.
'Sergio'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 28
Netflix release date: April 7
The first narrative feature from documentary director Greg Barker (Ghosts of Rwanda, Manhunt: The Search for Bin Laden), this biopic about Brazil-born diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello (Narcos star Wagner Moura) explores the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Bradley Whitford and Ana de Armas also star in the film, the latter of whom received attention for her performance in Knives Out and will also star in the new James Bond film.
'Lost Girls'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 28
Netflix release date: March 13
This drama from filmmaker Liz Garbus is based on the acclaimed book by Robert Kolker. It tells the true story of Mari Gilbert (Acadamy Award-nominee Amy Ryan), who investigated the disappearance of her daughter and brought attention to over a dozen murdered sex workers. And yes, that is Holly from The Office.
'Crip Camp'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 23
Netflix release date: March 2020
The Obamas are following up their Oscar-nominated documentary, American Factory, with another documentary. This one, produced by the Obamas via their company Higher Grounds, and directed by Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht—who went to the camp himself—delves into a summer camp for teens with disabilities in the ’70s.
'Cuties'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 23
Netflix release date: Spring 2020
This French film from writer/director Maïmouna Doucouré—whose short film, Maman(s), was named best short at Sundance, Toronto and at the Césars in 2017—is coming-of-age story about an 11-year-old girl named Amy. Amy lives with her mother and two brothers in a small apartment in Paris, and while the family waits for her father to return from Senegal, Amy dives deep into the world of Western, preteen sexuality and girlhood.
'Dick Johnson Is Dead'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 25
Netflix release date: 2020 TBA
This documentary finds director Kirsten Johnson (CAMERAPERSON) on a journey to keep her 86-year-old father alive, using movie magic and a healthy sense of dark humor.
'Into the Deep'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 24
Netflix release date: 2020 TBA
This Danish documentary is one of those stories that sounds too wild to be true: In August 2017, Danish inventor Peter Madsen murdered Swedish journalist Kim Wall. The twist? A year earlier, filmmaker Emma Sullivan had started documenting Madsen as an artist. This is a true crime story unlike any you’ve seen before.
'Hillary'
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 25
Hulu release date: March 6
This four-part documentary series follows Hillary Clinton on the 2016 campaign trail, featuring interviews with her, her family and friends, and more. Sure, I’m definitely emotionally prepared to relive the 2016 election!
'Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made'
Platform: Disney+
Sundance premiere: January 25
Disney+ release date: February 7
This kids’ movie headed to Disney+ next month is based on the best-selling books by Stephan Pastis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with director Tom McCarthy (Spotlight). It’s all about a kid named Timmy, and his detective agency which he runs with his polar bear partner. Of course, it’s all imaginary… or is it?!
Mucho Mucho Amor
Platform: Netflix
Sundance premiere: January 24
Netflix release: TBA
The Netflix Sundance acquisitions have already begun. Last week the streamer bought this documentary about world-famous astrologer, Walter Mercado, in which directors Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch seek to resurrect his forgotten legacy.
