British Film Institute

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(Almost) every Surprise Film at the BFI London Film Festival since 1985!

The BFI London Film Festival Surprise Film is always one of the hottest tickets of the year! Kicking off in 1985 with A Chorus Line, we've screened everything from future classics to Oscar winners and featured introductions from some of the biggest directors and stars. In 1996, we even had two surprise films!

Unless otherwise stated in the notes, the film date corresponds with the year the film screened at LFF.

Block or Report
  • Saturday Night
  • Ferrari
  • The Menu
  • C'mon C'mon
  • Uncut Gems
  • Green Book
  • Lady Bird
  • Sully
  • Anomalisa
  • Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
  • The Grandmaster
  • Silver Linings Playbook
  • Damsels in Distress
  • Brighton Rock
  • Capitalism: A Love Story
  • The Wrestler
  • No Country for Old Men
  • The Prestige
  • Mrs. Henderson Presents
  • Sideways
  • School of Rock
  • Far from Heaven
  • Hearts in Atlantis
  • Meet the Parents
  • The Insider
  • Pleasantville
  • Breakdown
  • The Long Kiss Goodnight
  • Johnny Mnemonic
  • Death Becomes Her
  • Night on Earth
  • Arachnophobia
  • Sea of Love
  • Married to the Mob
  • Someone to Watch Over Me
  • The Color of Money
  • A Chorus Line
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