Where Are These Films? These Completed Projects Are Still MIA [Updated]

UPDATE: The list has been refined after Venice, Telluride, TIFF and NYFF announcements. As always, the announcement of these lineups offers a sense of what distributors are prioritizing and what filmmakers have ready to go.

However, just as telling are the films that didn’t make the cut. Every year, a handful of already-shot, sometimes even fully completed films vanish into thin air. Some had 2023 or even 2022 release targets. Others finished principal photography a year ago but haven’t made so much as a whisper since. No festival berths. No teaser posters. No buyers. No buzz. Just eerie silence.

So, as is tradition here at World of Reel, I’ve compiled the first draft of our annual “What’s Missing” list, those films that, despite being finished or close to it, are nowhere to be found as we head into fall festival season.

I’m excluding films that already have confirmed release dates. That means Gore Verbinski’s “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,”originally part of this list, has been removed following its recent acquisition and newly set January 2026 release

Of note, I’m told Gregg Araki’s “I Want Your Sex,” which was sadly rejected by Cannes and Venice, will be appearing at Sundance 2026.

Here are the ones currently missing:

• “The Way of the Wind” (Terrence Malick) — The king of delays. It’s been six years since Malick shot this one, and he’s been editing it ever since. It could very well be his last film, which means maybe Cannes 2026?

• “In the Blink of An Eye” (Andrew Stanton) — Shot in 2023. Once considered a potential awards-season play given Stanton’s Pixar pedigree, the ambitious plot, and Searchlight backing. Where is it? Last I heard, it might go to HULU streaming.

• “Wizards!” (David Michôd) — Shot all the way back in 2022. Produced by A24. With Pete Davidson and Franz Rogowski in the cast. I recently reported that Michôd was still editing the damn thing, which tested to polarizing reactions.

• “Faces of Death” (Daniel Goldhaber) — A reboot of the infamous ’70s shock-doc. Shot in 2023. Goldhaber is coming off “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” but this has gone radio silent. I’m told Goldhaber is fighting with the producers for final cut.

• “Klara and the Sun” (Taika Waititi) — Adaptation of the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Shot in January 2024. Still no images, no teaser, no nothing. Waititi’s been on a losing streak of late — his last film, “Next Goal Wins,” was also severely delayed.

• “Mother Mary” (David Lowery) — Shot in 2023. A24. Stars Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. Lowery’s name alone should’ve secured a festival slot, but it’s not shown up anywhere and worrisome test reactions have only turned the buzz more toxic.

Then you have films which have been silent for a less amount of time, but given the timing, should have absolutely been part of this year’s fall fests.

• “Art Monster” (Cathy Yan) — Formerly titled “The Gallerist.” A psychological drama. High-profile backing, Natalie Portman, but missing in action. It could very well be shown in early 2026.

• “Outcome” (Jonah Hill) — With Keanu Reeves in the lead. Apple is behind it. No updates since wrap. Hill has already hopped on-board his next film.

  “Huntington” (John Patton Ford) — Follow-up to “Emily the Criminal.” Already shot. Should have shown up somewhere by now. Hasn’t tested well. Maybe it waits it out for Sundance 2026.

• “Rosebush Pruning” (Karim Aïnouz) — Was once being whispered about for Cannes. Didn’t make it. Still hasn’t surfaced anywhere. Maybe Ainouz’ last few string of flops might have finally soured programmers.

• “I Love Boosters” (Boots Riley) — A new project from the “Sorry to Bother You” filmmaker. One of the most anticipated indie curios. Still unaccounted for. He might just be waiting it out for Sundance 2026.

• “At the Sea” (Kornél Mundruczó) — Mundruczó has Cannes and Venice clout. But this one didn’t show up at either, and it’s not at TIFF. Amy Adams stars. Strange.

• “Famous” (Jody Hill) — Shot in October 2024. From the “Observe and Report” and “The Righteous Gemstone auteur, and starring Zac Efron. A24.

Some of these could surface at AFI Fest in November, though that seems unlikely. I’ll keep updating this list as more information comes in — and I’m sure a few slipped through the cracks. What do you think is conspicuously missing? Let us know.