TV & Movies

58 Enchanting Throwback Photos From the Sundance Film Festival

Image may contain Sofia Coppola Kirsten Dunst Face Head Person Photography Portrait Clothing Coat Adult and Jacket
Photo: Getty Images

Since the late, great Robert Redford founded the Sundance Film Festival some four decades ago, the free-thinking, boundary-pushing showcase has attracted some of the world’s most lauded independent filmmakers, as well as the Hollywood heavyweights who populate their releases. However, unlike its glitzier European rivals, Cannes and Venice, Sundance is gloriously laid-back—think bare faces, chunky knits, and puffy coats instead of all-out glamour and floor-length ballgowns, and skiing and snowball fights in lieu of glittering galas.

Read More
12 Films to Look Out for at Sundance 2026
Image may contain: Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Adult, Person, Blonde, Hair, Face, Head, Accessories, and Glasses

Ahead of the 2026 edition of the festival, due to run from January 22 to 1 February—and the final one to be held in Utah’s snowy, picturesque Park City before its move to Boulder, Colorado—we revisit the best throwback photos from the ’90s and early aughts, from Mariah Carey cosplaying as a cowgirl to an incredibly poised, 13-year-old Kristen Stewart.

  • Image may contain John Duigan Hugh Grant Elle Macpherson Clothing Coat Jacket Person Teen Adult Hat and People
    Expand
    Photo: Getty Images
    1/58

    1994

    A floppy-haired, Four Weddings and a Funeral-era Hugh Grant at Sundance with Elle MacPherson and John Duigan, their director for Sirens.

  • Image may contain Susanna Kaysen Cup Body Part Finger Hand Person Face Head Photography Portrait and Accessories
    Expand
    Photo: Getty Images
    2/58

    1994

    A 22-year-old, pixie-cropped Winona Ryder sips a drink at Sundance to celebrate the premiere of Reality Bites.

Radhika Seth is the film culture editor at British Vogue. She works across both the magazine and the website’s Arts Lifestyle section, writing and editing pieces on film, TV, and awards season, as well as travel and food. She previously held the same role at Vogue Global Network, ... Read More
Anna Cafolla is American Vogue’s news editor, working across fashion, beauty, culture and living from London. Previously, she has worked at Dazed, Cosmopolitan, and ELLE, and has written for The Guardian, The Face, AnOther, and Conde Nast Traveller. She will hold you hostage until you agree to her restaurant recommendations. ... Read More
News Editor, Vogue
TopicsSundance Film Festival