The Cannes Film Festival has always been a hub of excitement and anticipation for film lovers, and this year was no different. With a selection of new films premiering at Cannes in 2025, the festival was abuzz with the latest and greatest in cinematic storytelling.
One thing that always makes headlines at Cannes, besides the star-studded red carpets, is the standing ovations. It has become a tradition to measure the audience’s reception to a film by the length of their applause, and this year, we saw some impressive numbers.
From action-packed blockbusters to thought-provoking dramas, here are the top films that premiered at Cannes this year, along with their standing ovation times and the critics’ reactions.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise bids farewell to his iconic character, Ethan Hunt, in the final installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. The film received a standing ovation of five to seven-and-a-half minutes, according to various reports. Critics praised the film for its wild entertainment factor, with The Independent calling it a “massive Tom Cruise ego trip” that was still “absolutely adored.”
Highest 2 Lowest
Denzel Washington stars in Spike Lee’s neo-noir crime thriller about a music mogul targeted by a ransom plot. The film received a standing ovation of six minutes, with The Independent noting that it lacked emotional depth, but The Guardian praising Denzel’s magnificent performance.
Eddington
Hereditary and Midsommar director Ari Aster takes a departure from horror with his latest film, a star-studded Western set in New Mexico during the Covid pandemic. Touching on themes of misinformation and mob mentality, the film received a standing ovation of five to seven minutes, sparking an emotional response from lead actor Joaquin Phoenix. Critics had mixed reactions, with The Independent hailing it as a “brilliant skewering” of modern America and Rolling Stone calling it the “perfect conspiracy thriller for a broken, brainwashed nation.” However, The Guardian was less impressed, calling it “tedious” and a “disappointing dud.”
The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson’s latest film is an espionage black comedy that follows a strained father-daughter relationship as businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (played by Benicio del Toro) tries to safeguard his family business. The film received a standing ovation of around seven minutes, with Empire praising it as “textbook Wes Anderson without falling back on old tricks,” and The Telegraph giving it a full five-star rating, calling it a “complete delight.”
Die, My Love
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson team up for this psychological drama about a woman battling psychosis. The film received a standing ovation of seven minutes, with The Guardian awarding it four stars and describing it as an “intensely sensual study of a woman in meltdown.” NME predicted that it would be a contender in the upcoming awards season.
Splitsville
Dakota Johnson stars in this rom-com that explores the concept of open relationships and what happens when boundaries are crossed. The film received a standing ovation of six to eight minutes, with IndieWire claiming it “hits all the right notes,” and The Hollywood Reporter calling it a “winning indie comedy.”
Pillion
Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård star in this kinky biker romance that has been making waves at the festival. The film received a standing ovation of seven minutes, with The Guardian praising it as “sweet and extremely revealing,” and Vanity Fair calling it “daring” and “honest,” while comparing it to last year’s hit film Baby Girl.
The History Of Sound
Starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, this queer romance has been compared to Brokeback Mountain, much to the dismay of Normal People star Mescal. The film received a standing ovation of six to nine minutes, with conflicting reports on its exact duration. Some critics found the film too muted, with The Independent describing it as “severely anticlimactic,” and The Standard stating that it “falls into monotony” in a two-star review.
Sentimental Value
Following up on the critically acclaimed The Worst Person In The World, Joachim Trier’s new film follows two sisters (played by Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) in an exploration of family, memories, and art
