Eight must-see films at Hot Docs 2026

Calling all cinephiles. Ready to dive into 11 jam-packed days of fabulous filmgoing, loaded with more drama, suspense, intrigue, laughs, tears and “OMG!” moments than the biggest Hollywood blockbuster could ever offer?

Then grab your tickets for the 33rd annual Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival, running between April 23 and May 3, 2026.

Unspooling 115 thought-provoking documentaries from 51 countries this year, including 52 world and international premieres, Hot Docs brings the best in documentary filmmaking from around the globe to Toronto audiences every spring. And there’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in films about politics, sports, the arts, nature, Indigenous rights, women’s rights, the Canadian experience, LGBTQ issues, our global society or even a plucky rooster that becomes a local celebrity in Hungary.

This year’s event puts Brazil in the spotlight, showcases documentaries investigating the impact of technology from algorithms to AI in the new Digital Witnesses program, and welcomes back Big Ideas, which screens high-profile films about hot-button topics, followed by in-depth post-screening discussions with the filmmakers and special guests.

With so many outstanding options on offer, choosing what to see can feel overwhelming, so here are eight prime picks to get you started.

Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions

Many cutting-edge performers of today owe a debt of gratitude to Canadian trailblazer Carole Pope, and the festival’s opening-night film pays homage to the legendary Rough Trade frontwoman’s groundbreaking music and career. Spanning decades and overflowing with rare archival footage, it’s a heartfelt profile of an audacious and unapologetic icon who’s never stopped rocking.

The Ballad of Judas Priest

Speaking of iconic musical acts, Judas Priest has been destroying mics and shredding amps for more than 50 years. This comprehensive and captivating documentary co-directed by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello tracks five decades of the hallowed heavy-metal band’s ups and downs, as frontman Rob Halford and his bandmates reflect on their look, legacy and biggest triumphs.

Black Zombie

Zombies have become a mainstay in movies and TV, but did you know the origins of “the living dead” can be traced back centuries to the colonial slave trade and the vodou religion? Director Maya Annik Bedward’s fascinating film reveals the spiritual history of zombie mythology, which is deeply rooted in Haitian culture, and how “fear of the other” led to many modern-day tropes.

Ceremony

How is the mysterious disappearance of a species of small fish called the ooligan from B.C.’s Bella Coola River linked to a horrifying history of colonialism in Canada? Director Banchi Hanuse (Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun) answers that question in this award-winning film exploring the vital role of ooligan in the Nuxalk Nation and the determined efforts of local residents to keep their culture and traditions alive.

It’s Dorothy!

From The Wizard of Oz to school plays to the 2024 Broadway revival of The Wiz, this appropriately lighthearted and fun documentary examines how, through her countless iterations, the character of Dorothy Gale has become a touchstone for so many different people in so many different ways since first appearing in L. Frank Baum’s novel more than 125 years ago.

Love Apptually

Director Shalini Kantayya’s latest documentary pulls back the curtain on dating apps, and its revelations may shock you. Required viewing for anyone who’s ever sought love, connection or just a hookup online, it’s a damning exposé of the machinations of the Internet-dating industry, the security risks for users, and how these apps are engineered to keep people swiping.

Myspace

Nostalgia for a kinder, simpler and friendlier digital era abounds in this affectionate look back at Myspace, the seminal online community in the early to mid-2000s, and the precursor to such social networks as Facebook and Instagram. Peppered with anecdotes from celebrity users, the doc chronicles how the platform began, how it evolved and how it (sort of?) ended.

Steal This Story, Please!

Determination for the dogged pursuit of the truth is just one of the qualities that define journalist Amy Goodman, the creator of the independent news program Democracy Now! and the subject of this timely biography, which documents her tenacity, fearlessness and decades-long efforts to get to the heart of a story so those in power can be held to account.

For more about Hot Docs films and tickets, including how to attend screenings for free if you’re a student or 60 plus, visit hotdocs.ca.