Pan's Labyrinth Returns to Cannes After 20 Years

Guillermo del Toro's 'Pan's Labyrinth' is being shown again at Cannes 20 years after its first screening. This is a special 4K restored version.
By Newsroom | Film, France |

CANNES, France — Twenty years after its world premiere and a subsequent, unusually long standing ovation, Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" has reappeared at the Cannes Film Festival. The critically lauded film, a historical fantasy set against the backdrop of post-Civil War Spain, is being shown as part of the Cannes Classics program.

The film, meticulously restored in 4K from its original 35mm negative, will be screened on May 12th at the Debussy Theater. Director Guillermo del Toro is expected to attend the screening, marking a return to the festival that first saw the film receive a record-breaking 22-minute ovation from an audience that included fellow filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón.

The restoration was personally overseen by del Toro, and it aims to present the film with enhanced visual fidelity for both long-time admirers and a new generation of viewers. This re-screening coincides with a planned theatrical re-release of the film in 4K 3D later this year, with tickets to be announced on 'panslabyrinth20.com'.

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The film's journey to Cannes in 2006 was reportedly fraught with production difficulties. Del Toro has previously spoken about the conception of "Pan's Labyrinth" occurring during a period of creative stasis following the September 11th attacks.

While "Pan's Labyrinth" did not secure the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, which went to Ken Loach's "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" in 2006, it went on to garner significant acclaim. This included three Academy Awards, notably for Guillermo Navarro's cinematography, and solidified del Toro's reputation. He later achieved wider mainstream success, winning the Best Picture Oscar in 2018 for "The Shape of Water."

The Cannes Classics section this year features a diverse program of 21 restored features, three short films, six documentaries, and two contemporary works. The overall program is dedicated to the memory of production designer Dean Tavoularis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is 'Pan's Labyrinth' being shown at Cannes on May 12th, 2026?
The film is being shown as part of the Cannes Classics program to celebrate its 20th anniversary. It's a special screening of a newly restored 4K version.
Q: What is special about this screening of 'Pan's Labyrinth'?
This screening features a 4K restoration of the film, personally overseen by director Guillermo del Toro. It aims to show the film with better picture quality for fans.
Q: Will Guillermo del Toro be at the 'Pan's Labyrinth' screening?
Yes, director Guillermo del Toro is expected to attend the screening on May 12th, 2026. This marks his return to the festival where the film first premiered.
Q: What happened when 'Pan's Labyrinth' first showed at Cannes 20 years ago?
Twenty years ago, 'Pan's Labyrinth' received a very long standing ovation at Cannes, lasting 22 minutes. This was a record at the time and showed how much the audience liked the film.