SXSW has had no lack of heavy hitters in the past. In 2023 alone, the festival had the premieres of John Wick: Chapter 4, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Air. The big studios have taken note, and in 2024, they’re bringing out the big guns. To celebrate the start of this year’s festival, here are our five most anticipated headliners coming to SXSW 2024.
Civil War
Director: Alex Garland
Screenwriter: Alex Garland
“From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.”
The Fall Guy
Director: David Leitch
Screenwriter: Drew Pearce
“Ryan Gosling stars as Colt, a stuntman who, after a near-career-ending accident, is drafted back into service when the star of a mega-budget movie—being directed by his ex, Jody (Emily Blunt)—goes missing. Now, this working-class hero has to solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right? Inspired by the hit 1980s TV series.”
Immaculate
Director: Michael Mohan
Screenwriter: Andrew Lobel
“Sydney Sweeney stars as Cecilia, an American nun of devout faith, embarking on a new journey in a remote convent in the picturesque Italian countryside. Cecilia’s warm welcome quickly devolves into a nightmare as it becomes clear her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors.”
Monkey Man
Director: Dev Patel
Screenwriter: Dev Patel, Paul Angunawela, and John Collee
“Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.”
Road House
Director: Doug Liman
Screenwriter: Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry
“Jake Gyllenhaal stars in Road House as Dalton, ex-UFC fighter-turned-bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, owned by Frankie (Jessica Williams). Facing threats from a criminal gang led by Brandt (Billy Magnussen), Dalton’s violent past emerges. When he is confronted by Knox (Conor McGregor), a lethal gun-for-hire, the escalating brawls and bloodshed become more dangerous than his days in the Octagon.”
Did your most anticipated of the headliners at SXSW 2024 make our most anticipated list for this festival? Let us know on social media.