Cover This year’s Grand Prix winner at Cannes, ‘Sentimental Value’, earned a 19-minute standing ovation. (Photo: IMDb)
This year’s Grand Prix winner at Cannes, ‘Sentimental Value’, earned a 19-minute standing ovation. (Photo: IMDb)
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From ‘Pan’s Labyrinth‘ to ‘Sentimental Value’, discover the films that brought Cannes audiences to their feet—and whether their standing ovations led to box office gold or critical acclaim
Glamorous red carpet arrivals and marathon standing ovations have become synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival. Though not always a reliable litmus test for box office performance or critical acclaim, a Cannes standing ovation is widely seen as a symbolic vote of confidence. This year, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value earned a staggering 19-minute ovation. Impressive, yes—but it doesn’t top the leaderboard. That honour still belongs to Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, which drew a record-breaking 22-minute applause.
Here are six standout films that received the longest standing ovations at Cannes—and how they fared once the festival lights dimmed.
Also read: Tatler community members who dazzled on the Cannes red carpet this year
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
Above Guillermo del Toro’s gothic fairytale received a 22-minute standing ovation at Cannes.
Cannes reception: At the top of the list, with 22 minutes on the clock, is Guillermo del Toro’s gorgeous, gothic fever dream about a young girl who escapes the horrors of the Spanish Civil War by retreating into a surreal fantasy world.
Post-Cannes performance: Pan’s Labyrinth went on to enjoy both commercial and critical success, grossing US$84 million worldwide and winning three of its six Academy Award nominations (Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Makeup). Today, it’s hailed as one of the defining films of the 21st century, regularly earning a spot on critics’ best-of lists.
See also: From Cannes to Oscars glory: 7 films in 2025 that could go all the way
‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ (2004)
Above Controversial, polarising and a Cannes Palme d’Or winner
Cannes reception: The standing ovation for Michael Moore’s polarising documentary about the events that led up to the 9/11 terrorist attacks reportedly clocked in at 20 minutes. The documentary took home the Palme d'Or—Cannes’ highest honour—becoming only the second documentary ever to do so.
Post-Cannes performance: It made history at the box office, becoming the highest-earning documentary ever with over US$222 million in box-office receipts globally. Controversies and detractors aside, it fuelled political discourse and reshaped how audiences and filmmakers engaged with the documentary genre.
‘Sentimental Value’ (2025)
Above This Cannes favourite is already being called one of the best movies of the year
Cannes reception: Earning a reported 19-minute standing ovation, Joachim Trier’s Norwegian-language family drama made a powerful impression at this year’s festival. Not only did it secure the third-longest ovation on record, it also took home the coveted Grand Prix—Cannes’ second-highest honour.
Post-Cannes performance: How it does beyond Cannes has yet to be seen, but critics are already calling it one of the best films of the year. Winning the Grand Prix has also secured its chances for worldwide release and positioned it as a strong contender for future awards season.
‘Mud’ (2012)
Above ‘The McConaissance’ started at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes reception: Jeff Nichols’ moody coming-of-age tale—often described as having echoes of Mark Twain and starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon—earned an impressive 18-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere.
Post-Cannes performance: The indie film was well received by critics and performed respectably at the box office, earning US$32 million worldwide against a reported US$10 million budget. It’s also widely credited for what’s been called “The McConaissance”—Matthew McConaughey’s comeback and shift to more serious roles. After Mud, he starred in other critically acclaimed projects including Dallas Buyers Club, Interstellar and True Detective.
‘The Neon Demon’ (2016)
Above Praised for its stunning visuals, criticised for its weak plot
Cannes reception: The polarising psychological horror film about the dark side of the modelling industry from director Nicolas Winding Refn was met with a 17-minute standing ovation at Cannes.
Post-Cannes performance: The movie’s reception was as divisive as it was at Cannes. While some praised its striking visuals and star Elle Fanning’s electric performance, many found the plot paper-thin and the violence unnecessarily excessive.
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