Toronto’s biggest movie week officially kicks off today, and the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is bringing some serious star power downtown! Opening day brings everything from a Naomi Watts world premiere and a Sebastian Stan screening to a sit-down with Gary Oldman and, of course, the opening-night red carpet.
Celeb appearances can always change, though, but consider these the biggest names, events and private parties to keep an eye out for today.
Sebastian Stan has one of tonight’s most talked-about films
Avengers star and Oscar nominee Sebastian Stan is on TIFF’s expected guest list, and his new film Fjord screens Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. at the Princess of Wales Theatre (oh, and you might do a double take while watching: Stan completely switched up his appearance for the role). Cristian Mungiu’s film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes earlier this year and stars Stan and Renate Reinsve as part of a Romanian-Norwegian family whose conservative beliefs and parenting come under scrutiny after they relocate to a small Norwegian community.
And there could be another chance for a celebrity sighting after the credits roll: a private Fjord premiere party is scheduled for RBC House at Petros82 tonight.
Naomi Watts could hit the red carpet for The Housewife
Naomi Watts is one of the biggest names to watch tonight. Her new drama The Housewife makes its world premiere at the Royal Alexandra Theatre at 8:45 p.m. Thursday (just one of many premieres to look out for this opening weekend).
Watts stars alongside Luke Evans, Tye Sheridan and Michael Imperioli in the historical thriller, which follows a New York Times journalist investigating a suspected former Nazi officer living in Queens. The investigation becomes more complicated when the journalist develops a relationship with the man’s wife.
Rapinoe opens TIFF Docs
Soccer icon Megan Rapinoe could also be on King Street tonight. Rapinoe, director Rebeca Huntt’s documentary about the two-time World Cup champion, opens the TIFF Docs program at 6:30 p.m. at TIFF Lightbox (Rapinoe herself is among TIFF’s expected festival guests!). The documentary looks beyond Rapinoe’s accomplishments on the field and follows the athlete through the later stages of her career, including her final World Cup, while exploring the public battles that turned her into one of the most recognizable figures in women’s sports.
Gary Oldman is taking the TIFF stage today
Sir Gary Oldman will grace Toronto with his presence today. The Oscar-winning actor has a scheduled TIFF Visionaries appearance at 4 p.m. today at the John W. H. Bassett Theatre inside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, as part of the inaugural TIFF: The Market programming.
The appearance also comes before most of tonight’s major premieres, making the Dark Knight star one of the first major Hollywood faces TIFF-goers can expect to see as the festival gets underway today.
Jodie Comer’s strange musical gets its world premiere
Jodie Comer and Harry Melling lead Stuffed, a musical romance with a sort of macabre twist. Comer plays Araminta, a taxidermist determined to stuff a human body, while Melling plays Bernie, a lonely man who volunteers to become her specimen after he dies. And, because movies, the two fall in love.
The film opens TIFF’s Discovery program with its world premiere at the Royal Alexandra Theatre at 5:30 p.m. tonight. If the premise alone doesn’t make Stuffed one of today’s more memorable premieres, Comer potentially walking the red carpet will certainly help!
TIFF officially opens with Being Heumann (but maybe don’t count on Mark Ruffalo)
Tonight’s biggest ceremonial moment belongs to Being Heumann, the film officially opening TIFF 2026! Oscar-winning CODA filmmaker Siân Heder directs the drama about disability-rights activist Judy Heumann, with Ruth Madeley playing Heumann and Mark Ruffalo portraying U.S. health secretary Joseph Califano. The Toronto-shot movie focuses on the historic 1977 occupation of a San Francisco federal building as Heumann and other disability-rights activists fought for the enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
The opening-night festivities include a red carpet at David Pecaut Square beginning around 6 p.m., ahead of the film’s world premiere celebration at Roy Thomson Hall. There is one notable question mark: Ruffalo isn’t included on TIFF’s expected attendees list, but keep your eyes peeled anyway.
Midnight Madness begins at 11:59 p.m.
The festival’s famously rowdy Midnight Madness program begins at 11:59 p.m. at the Royal Alexandra Theatre with the world premiere of Joshua Giuliano’s River.
The horror film kicks off 10 nights of genre movies ranging from psychological thrillers to action and comedy. These screenings have developed their own cult following, so expect loud crowds and the occasional filmmaker appearance.
TIFF’s takeover of downtown
Opening day also marks the beginning of TIFF’s takeover of downtown with fan zones. King Street W is closed between Spadina and University through early Monday morning, with 504 King and 508 Lake Shore streetcars diverting around the festival zone.
Yorkville is also getting in on the action! The free Rogers Red Carpet experience begins Thursday evening on Yorkville Ave and runs through Sunday, with live performances, outdoor screenings, games and other TIFF programming planned throughout opening weekend. Tonight’s Yorkville kickoff includes LeWolf & Friends at 8 p.m., followed by Kid Koala and a kickoff DJ set at 9:30 p.m.
This story may be updated as additional TIFF appearances and celebrity arrivals are confirmed!