Newport Beach, October 15 to 22, 2026
Newport Beach Film Festival 2026
Dates, ticket prices, venues, opening and closing night, and a local guide to eight days of film in Orange County.
Illustration created with AI for From The Earth. It does not show a real theater.
The 27th Newport Beach Film Festival runs Thursday, October 15 through Thursday, October 22, 2026, in theaters across Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine. This guide pulls the dates, prices, and venues from the official festival site and its ticketing schedule so you can plan a night out without opening ten tabs.
Updated October 10, 2026. Sources: the official Newport Beach Film Festival site and ticketing schedule, plus Variety and the Los Angeles Times where noted. Times, prices, and guests can change, so confirm on the official site before you go.
- Dates
- Thursday, October 15 to Thursday, October 22, 2026The festival's 27th year
- Where
- Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and IrvineBig Newport, The Lot at Fashion Island, Lido Theater, Triangle, and Regal UTC
- Films
- More than 100 features and 250 shortsCount reported by the Los Angeles Times on September 25, 2026
- Tickets
- Most screenings are $20Centerpiece and spotlight films are $30. Galas and parties cost more
- Opening night
- Thursday, October 15, 7 PM"Frampton" at Big Newport, then the gala at Fashion Island
- Closing night
- Thursday, October 22"Behemoth!" at Big Newport and "Unleashed Spirits" at the Lido Theater, both listed for 8 PM
- Age
- Screenings are open to the publicGalas, receptions, and after-parties are 21 and over
Dates and Daily Schedule
The festival opens with a single film and gala on Thursday night. Screenings continue Friday through the following Thursday, starting in the evening on Friday and by late morning on most other days. The weekend is the busiest stretch, with about 50 screenings and events listed on Saturday alone. The start times below come from the official ticketing schedule as it stood on October 10, 2026.
| Day | Programming starts | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, October 15 | 7:00 PM | Opening night only. One film, then the gala at 9:30 PM. |
| Friday, October 16 | 5:00 PM | Evening screenings, including the first centerpiece films. |
| Saturday, October 17 | 10:45 AM | The fullest day. Family Film Series in the late morning and a free live podcast taping at 11 AM. |
| Sunday, October 18 | 10:30 AM | Irish Spotlight films in the evening and a second free podcast taping at 3 PM. |
| Monday, October 19 | 12:00 PM | Latin Showcase night, with an after-party at 9:30 PM. |
| Tuesday, October 20 | 11:00 AM | European Showcase night, with an after-party at 9:30 PM. |
| Wednesday, October 21 | 11:00 AM | Pacific Rim Showcase night, with an after-party at 9:30 PM. |
| Thursday, October 22 | 2:00 PM | Closing night. Reception at 5 PM, closing films in the evening. |
For the full film-by-film lineup, use the festival's official schedule or its film guide. Both let you filter by day, venue, and program.
Tickets and Prices
Tickets are sold per screening or event on the festival's ticketing site, and the festival also sells passes. These are the prices listed on the official ticketing schedule on October 10, 2026, before any fees. Some screenings will sell out, so check availability before you plan around a specific film.
| Ticket | Listed price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular screening | $20 | The price on roughly three of every four listings, including shorts programs and most features. |
| Centerpiece or spotlight film | $30 | Film only. |
| Showcase film plus party | $40 to $60 | International spotlight screenings bundled with that night's celebration. Most are $60. |
| Showcase after-party only | $40 | Latin, European, and Pacific Rim nights at 9:30 PM. 21 and over. |
| Sunset Series reception | $70 | 5 PM, Monday through Thursday, at a different Newport Beach location each evening. 21 and over. |
| Opening night film and gala | $250 | Gala only is $200. 21 and over for the gala. |
| Closing night | $50 to $100 | "Behemoth!" is $50 for the film or $100 with the party. "Unleashed Spirits" is $100. |
| Young Filmmakers Showcase | $10 | Saturday, October 17, 11:30 AM at Regal UTC in Irvine. |
Discounts and Promo Codes
We have not found or verified a public promo code for festival tickets, so we are not listing one. The cheapest ways in are the events listed at $0 further down this page, the $10 Young Filmmakers Showcase, and the $20 regular screenings, which cost less than the $30 centerpiece showings. If the festival announces a discount, it will be on its official site and social accounts.
Passes: the ticketing schedule shows several events as included for passholders. We could not verify 2026 pass prices, so check the official site for current pass options.
Five Ways to Plan a Festival Day
Each plan below uses real listings from the ticketing schedule as of October 10, 2026. Nothing here overlaps, but leave time to park and get through a bag check.
- On a budget
- Saturday, October 17, all at Newport CenterFree Awards Chatter taping with Aaron Sorkin at 11 AM, free "Couture to the Max" at 4 PM, then "Wild Horse Nine" at 8 PM at Big Newport for $30
- With kids
- Saturday, October 17, 11:30 AMFamily Film Series: "Whale Shark Jack" at Big Newport or the Shorts for Shorties program at Triangle, $20 each. "Whale Shark Jack" repeats Wednesday at 12:30 PM
- Comedy night
- Friday, October 16, 8:30 PM"Laugh Your Shorts Off," a comedy shorts program at The Lot, $20. It repeats Wednesday, October 21 at 2 PM at Triangle
- After dark
- Wednesday, October 21, 8:30 PM"Nightmare on Short Street," a shorts program about fear and the unknown, at The Lot, $20
- Big night out
- Monday, October 19, Costa MesaLatin Showcase: "Campeón Gabacho" at 7:30 PM at Triangle, then the after-party at 9:30 PM. $60 for film and party, 21 and over for the party
Opening Night and Closing Night
Opening Night: Thursday, October 15
The festival opens at 7:00 PM with "Frampton," a feature documentary directed by Rob Arthur about guitarist Peter Frampton, at Big Newport (300 Newport Center Drive). Variety reports a live Q&A after the screening with Peter Frampton and the director. The Opening Night Gala follows at 9:30 PM in the Fashion Island courtyard, with live entertainment, bites from more than 30 local culinary partners, and a hosted bar, according to the event listing. The gala is 21 and over, outdoors, and cocktail attire is strongly encouraged, so bring a jacket.
Closing Night: Thursday, October 22
Closing night has two films, both listed for 8:00 PM on the ticketing schedule. "Behemoth!," directed by Tony Gilroy with Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde in the cast, screens at Big Newport. "Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires," a documentary directed by Daniel E. Catullo III about the band featuring Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen, has its West Coast premiere at the Lido Theater (3459 Via Lido). An earlier festival announcement gave 8:30 PM for that screening, so go by the time on your ticket. A Sunset Series reception starts the evening at 5:00 PM at Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar. The listing recommends rideshare and notes that valet is not included.
Films to Know
The festival marks its biggest titles as centerpiece films. These are the centerpiece features on the 2026 schedule, with director and lead cast as listed in the official film guide. Several screen more than once.
- Ink
- Directed by Danny BoyleGuy Pearce, Jack O'Connell, Claire Foy
- Paper Tiger
- Directed by James GrayAdam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Miles Teller
- Wild Horse Nine
- Directed by Martin McDonaghSam Rockwell, Parker Posey, Steve Buscemi, John Malkovich
- Jimmy
- Directed by Aaron BurnsKJ Apa, Max Casella, Neal McDonough. West Coast premiere
- Josephine
- Directed by Beth De AraujoChanning Tatum, Gemma Chan. West Coast premiere
- The Liberation
- Directed by Guy NattivLily James, Carrie Coon, Bella Ramsey. West Coast premiere
- A Talent for Murder
- Directed by Anton CorbijnOlivia Cooke, Helen Mirren, Alden Ehrenreich
- More
- ...And Out Comes the Wolf, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Minotaur, In Waves, Once Upon a Time in Harlem
Beyond the centerpieces, the program includes documentaries, shorts blocks, a Family Film Series on Saturday, culinary films, action sports, music videos, and college showcases. If you are choosing by mood, the film guide's filters are the fastest way in.
International Showcases and Parties
- Irish Spotlight: Sunday, October 18, with evening screenings at Big Newport and a celebration hosted by Muldoon's Irish Pub.
- Latin Showcase: Monday, October 19. "Campeón Gabacho" screens at 7:30 PM at Triangle in Costa Mesa, and the after-party starts at 9:30 PM.
- European Showcase: Tuesday, October 20, with seven spotlight films at Triangle between 6:30 and 8:00 PM and an after-party at 9:30 PM.
- Pacific Rim Showcase: Wednesday, October 21, with spotlight films at Triangle and Big Newport and an after-party at 9:30 PM.
The showcase after-parties are listed at Time Nightclub, 1875 Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa, and are 21 and over.
Festival Honors
Variety reports that the Festival Honors take place Sunday, October 18, at Balboa Bay Resort, recognizing Taraji P. Henson, Jack O'Connell, Mckenna Grace, Sosie Bacon, and casting director Sarah Finn, along with Variety's 10 Actors to Watch. The Honors do not appear as a public event on the ticketing schedule, so do not plan on walking in.
A Short History of the Festival
The festival's own history page says it was founded in 1999 and calls it the largest international cinema event in coastal Southern California. A few moments from that timeline:
- 2005: opened with the North American premiere of "Crash."
- 2011: presented a free screenwriting panel with Aaron Sorkin, who is back in 2026 for a free podcast taping.
- 2016: launched its annual Honors program.
- 2018: launched the Culinary Film Series and hosted Variety's 10 Actors to Watch.
- 2019: marked its 20th anniversary with 58,000 attendees.
Venues and Where to Go
The festival is spread across five main theaters in three cities, plus a few event spaces. Check the venue on your ticket, because two screenings of the same film are often in different cities.
| Venue | Address | City |
|---|---|---|
| Big Newport | 300 Newport Center Drive | Newport Beach |
| The Lot, Fashion Island | 999 Newport Center Drive | Newport Beach |
| Lido Theater | 3459 Via Lido | Newport Beach |
| Triangle | 1870 Harbor Boulevard | Costa Mesa |
| Regal UTC | 4245 Campus Drive | Irvine |
| Mainstage at Fashion Island | 401 Newport Center Drive | Newport Beach |
| The Port Theater | 2905 East Coast Highway | Corona del Mar |
The Los Angeles Times reports that this is likely the last festival at Big Newport, which is set to close by next June to make way for condominium towers. If you have never seen a film on its main screen, this is the year.
Getting There
The festival's travel guide names John Wayne Airport (SNA) as the primary airport for Newport Beach. Its safety page says traffic may be heavy at peak times and recommends planning how you will get home before you head out. It also notes that bag checks happen at many venues, so travel light and bring a small or clear bag if you need one.
Free Events
A handful of listings were priced at $0 on the ticketing schedule when we checked on October 10, 2026. Free events can still require a reserved ticket and can fill up.
- Awards Chatter Live Podcast with Aaron Sorkin: Saturday, October 17, 11:00 AM, Mainstage at Fashion Island.
- Couture to the Max: Saturday, October 17, 4:00 PM, Mainstage at Fashion Island.
- Awards Chatter Live Podcast with Emmy Rossum: Sunday, October 18, 3:00 PM, Mainstage at Fashion Island.
- Easterseals Disability Film Challenge: Monday, October 19, 4:00 PM, The Lot.
- Who Killed Alex Odeh?: Wednesday, October 21, 5:15 PM, Triangle.
Cannabis and the festival
From The Earth is not affiliated with the Newport Beach Film Festival or its sponsors, and this is an independent guide. California law prohibits smoking, vaping, or otherwise consuming cannabis in public places, and that includes theaters, shopping centers, sidewalks, and parking lots. Hotels and rentals set their own rules, so check before you assume. If cannabis is part of your night, enjoy it in a private place where it is allowed, arrange your ride first, and never drive impaired. You must be 21 or older to purchase.
Movie Night at Home
If the festival's comedy shorts or its late-night scares send you home wanting a double feature on the couch, start with the edibles on our Santa Ana menu. For more reading, our post on edibles to try before watching a comedy is one of the most read on our blog.
Keep it to a private home, never a theater or a public place. Edibles take a while to come on, so start with a low dose, wait before taking more, and do not drive.
Before or After a Screening
From The Earth is a licensed dispensary in Santa Ana, which borders Costa Mesa and Irvine. Our store at 3023 S. Orange Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92707 is open every day from 7 AM to 10 PM. You can browse the Santa Ana menu and order ahead for pickup.
We also deliver in the three cities where the festival screens. Delivery goes to a private address, never to a theater, hotel lobby, or event. See the page for your city for details and minimums:
For everywhere else in the county, start with our Orange County dispensary and delivery guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Newport Beach Film Festival 2026?
The 27th Newport Beach Film Festival runs Thursday, October 15 through Thursday, October 22, 2026. Opening night is a single film and gala on October 15, and screenings continue from Friday, October 16 through closing night on October 22.
How much are Newport Beach Film Festival tickets?
On the official ticketing schedule checked October 10, 2026, most screenings were $20 and centerpiece and spotlight films were $30, before any fees. Showcase screenings bundled with a party were $40 to $60, Sunset Series receptions were $70, closing night was $50 to $100, and the opening night film and gala was $250. Prices can change, so confirm on the official site.
Where is the Newport Beach Film Festival held?
Screenings are spread across Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine. The main theaters on the 2026 schedule are Big Newport at 300 Newport Center Drive, The Lot at Fashion Island, the Lido Theater at 3459 Via Lido, Triangle at 1870 Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, and Regal UTC at 4245 Campus Drive in Irvine.
What is the opening night film at the 2026 Newport Beach Film Festival?
The opening night film is "Frampton," a documentary about guitarist Peter Frampton directed by Rob Arthur. It screens Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Big Newport, followed by the Opening Night Gala at Fashion Island at 9:30 PM. The gala is 21 and over.
What is the closing night film?
Closing night is Thursday, October 22, 2026, with two films: "Behemoth!," directed by Tony Gilroy, at Big Newport, and the West Coast premiere of "Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires" at the Lido Theater. Both were listed for 8:00 PM on the ticketing schedule on October 10, 2026. Check your ticket for the final time.
Which films are showing at the Newport Beach Film Festival 2026?
Centerpiece films on the 2026 schedule include "Ink" from Danny Boyle, "Paper Tiger" from James Gray, "Wild Horse Nine" from Martin McDonagh, "Jimmy," "Josephine," "The Liberation," and "A Talent for Murder." The Los Angeles Times reported more than 100 features and 250 shorts in the lineup. The official film guide lists every title.
Are there free events at the Newport Beach Film Festival?
Yes. When checked on October 10, 2026, the ticketing schedule listed several events at $0, including live Awards Chatter podcast tapings with Aaron Sorkin on October 17 and Emmy Rossum on October 18 at the Mainstage at Fashion Island. Free events can still require a reserved ticket.
Is the Newport Beach Film Festival 21 and over?
No. The festival says its screenings are open to the public, with parental discretion advised. Its opening and closing night galas, receptions, and after-parties are 21 and over.
Is there a promo code for Newport Beach Film Festival tickets?
We have not found or verified a public promo code for festival tickets. The lowest prices on the ticketing schedule checked October 10, 2026 were events listed at $0, the $10 Young Filmmakers Showcase, and regular screenings at $20. Any official discount would be announced on the festival's own site.
How big is the Newport Beach Film Festival?
The festival was founded in 1999 and describes itself as the largest international cinema event in coastal Southern California. Its history page reports 58,000 attendees for its 20th anniversary in 2019, and the Los Angeles Times reported more than 100 features and 250 shorts in the 2026 lineup.
When is the Newport Beach Film Festival 2027?
We have not verified 2027 dates. The 2026 festival runs October 15 to 22, and the official Newport Beach Film Festival site is the place to check once next year's dates are announced.
Can I use cannabis at the Newport Beach Film Festival?
No. From The Earth is not affiliated with the festival, and California law prohibits consuming cannabis in public places, including theaters, shopping centers, sidewalks, and parking lots. Enjoy it only in a private place where it is allowed, and never drive impaired.
Does From The Earth deliver to Newport Beach?
Yes. From The Earth delivers to Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine from its licensed Santa Ana dispensary. Delivery goes to a private address, not to a theater or event. See the Newport Beach delivery page for current details and minimums.
Enjoy the films, plan your ride home, and come see us in Santa Ana when the credits roll.
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