The official lineup for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival has been announced, and Netflix is making a strong showing with three titles, three films in competition, and one high-profile limited series screening out of competition.
With world premieres from directors Guillermo del Toro, Noah Baumbach, and Kathryn Bigelow, and the Italian debut of a true crime series from Stefano Sollima, Netflix continues to compete on the same stage as traditional studios.
Frankenstein by Guillermo del Toro – In Competition
Guillermo del Toro returns to Venice with Frankenstein, his long-awaited take on Mary Shelley’s iconic novel. The film stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth, and promises a mix of horror, heart, and high-concept storytelling that del Toro fans expect. As a main competition title, it’s positioned as a major player for festival buzz and potentially, the upcoming awards season. On Netflix in November 2025, date TBD.
A House of Dynamite by Kathryn Bigelow – In Competition
Also competing is A House of Dynamite, directed by Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty). The film stars Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Jared Harris, Anthony Ramos, Greta Lee, and more, a stacked ensemble that signals a high-stakes thriller. Running just under two hours, the film adds a sharp political edge to Netflix’s festival slate. On Netflix on October 24, 2025.
Jay Kelly by Noah Baumbach – In Competition
Noah Baumbach returns to Venice with Jay Kelly, a multi-generational drama led by an ensemble cast that includes George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Riley Keough, and Greta Gerwig.
Set across the U.S., UK, and Italy, the film explores the quiet fractures within a sprawling family as they navigate shifting loyalties, grief, and reinvention.
At 132 minutes, Jay Kelly blends Baumbach’s sharp dialogue with his signature sense of melancholy, marking one of Netflix’s most prestige-driven premieres this year. Hitting theaters on November 14, it will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 5.
The Monster of Florence by Stefano Sollima – Out of Competition
Rounding out Netflix’s Venice presence is The Monster of Florence (Il Mostro), a four-episode limited series from Italian filmmaker Stefano Sollima (Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Gomorrah).
The true crime drama, which clocks in at 217 minutes across its four episodes, dramatizes the chilling unsolved murders that gripped Italy in the ’70s and ’80s.
Netflix at Venice 2025: Full Overview
| Title | Director | Section | Key Cast | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankenstein | Guillermo del Toro | In Competition | Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Jacob Elordi | 149 min |
| A House of Dynamite | Kathryn Bigelow | In Competition | Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Jared Harris, Greta Lee | 112 min |
| Jay Kelly | Noah Baumbach | In Competition | George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern | 132 min |
| The Monster of Florence | Stefano Sollima | Out of Competition | Marco Bullitta, Valentino Mannias | 217 min (4 episodes) |
A Global Stage for Netflix Originals
The Venice Film Festival has become a key launchpad for Netflix’s most ambitious titles, and 2025 is no exception. From genre reimaginings to political thrillers to prestige true crime, Netflix continues to build its identity as both a major studio and a streaming platform, competing alongside traditional distributors on cinema’s most respected stages.
This year, Netflix is already behind three high-profile titles in the main competition: Frankenstein by Guillermo del Toro, Jay Kelly by Noah Baumbach, and A House of Dynamite by Kathryn Bigelow. All three are confirmed Netflix originals and are expected to arrive on the platform following their Venice premieres.
But the lineup may not stop there. The pattern is clear: Venice serves as a major springboard for prestige films, and Netflix often swoops in, either bidding for U.S. rights or worldwide distribution, days or weeks after a premiere. It’s not uncommon for films introduced on the Lido to find their streaming home on Netflix soon after the red carpet rollout.
The 82nd edition of the Venice International Film Festival runs from August 27 to September 6, 2025.
