Cannes Film Festival 2026 red carpet: The best red carpet fashion looks

It’s that time of year when cinema’s biggest stars fly to the south of France and pay tribute to the glitz and glamor of the Cannes Film Festival 2026. For the next 12 days, the glitterati will take over the French tourist city of Cannes, showcasing the best and brightest new international films from around the world – not to mention some of the most dazzling red carpet looks of the entire year.

The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival begins on May 12 and runs through May 23. South Korean director Park Chan-Wok will serve as jury president for the main competition this year, taking over from Juliette Binoche. She is joined by fellow judges of the main competition Diego CespedesIsaac of Bankolé, Paul Laverty, Demi Moore, Ruth Negga, Stellan Skarsgård, Laura Wandel AND Chloe Zhao–Jacob Elord reportedly would also be on the jurybut he had to leave school at the beginning of May after breaking his leg.

Pierre SalvadoriFrench film i Electric kisshas been selected to open the festival, kicking off 12 days of premieres, parties and more for some of the most anticipated films of the year. The 2026 lineup includes James Gray‘s Paper Tiger, starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson AND Miles Teller, Quentin DupieuxS ‘ Full Phil, with Kristen Stewart AND Woody Harrelson, Cristian MungiuS ‘ fjordshowing Sebastian Stan AND Renate Reinsveand many others. This year, two Golden Palms of Honor will be awarded: first, to Peter Jackson at the opening ceremony, and later on Barbra Streisand on the last day of the festival.

But back to fashion: the Cannes red carpet is one of the most beautiful of the year; attendees embrace the unforgiving glamor of the French Riviera and go all out. Last year, just a day before the festivities began, the festival updated its already extremely strict dress code, with black ties and banned nudity and “voluminous dresses” from the red carpet.

Even with the new restrictions (which were followed by some, ignored by others), the Cannes red carpet did not disappoint, from Dakota JohnsonGucci frock embroidered with crystal and Naomi CampbellDolce & Gabbana tulle dress with gold corset to Kristen Stewart’s white Chanel shorts suit and Natalie Portman custom Dior Haute Couture. And the 2026 iteration is sure to be more exciting than ever – we’re keeping you up to date with all the trendiest looks from the Cannes Film Festival red carpet throughout the extravaganza. Check out the most exciting footage below.