Why Xavier Dolan Stopped Making Movies & His Return

Xavier Dolan quit cinema in 2023, yet by 2025 he was back acting in a French drama and directing commercials. Here’s what drove his hiatus, what he’s been up to, and what his return actually looks like.

Born: March 20, 1989 ·
Nationality: Canadian (Quebec) ·
Feature films directed: 8 ·
Notable award: Cannes Jury Prize (2014) ·
César Award: Best Foreign Film (2015) – Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)

Eight key data points, one observation: Dolan’s net worth is modest by Hollywood standards, but his influence on Quebec cinema is outsized.

Why did Xavier Dolan stop making movies?

The 2019 hiatus

After releasing Matthias & Maxime in 2019, Dolan essentially vanished from the feature-film scene. In November 2022 he told Le Journal de Montréal he wanted a break from the industry – Wikipedia (2022). He had directed eight films in a decade, and the pace had taken a toll.

The “giving up” statement

By July 2023, Dolan’s tone had hardened. In interviews with El País and El Mundo, he said: “I no longer have the desire or strength to commit myself to a project for two years that barely anyone sees” – Wikipedia (2023). He added that “art is useless and dedicating oneself to cinema, a waste of time.” The remarks were widely interpreted as a retirement announcement.

Return to feature filmmaking

In 2025, Dolan starred as a lead in Stéphane Demoustier’s drama The Great Arch, earning a César Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Wikipedia (2025). That same year, he directed two short film spots titled Lean on Me for telecom giant Bell Canada, each running about two minutes and weaving three interconnected stories – IMDb News.

The implication: Dolan didn’t quit cinema – he quit the grueling festival-to-release treadmill. Commercial work and limited acting gigs let him stay creative without the three-year commitment of a feature film.

What is Xavier Dolan doing now?

Recent projects outside film

• Costume design for a ballet (no specific details released) – Wikipedia (fashion)
• Directing music videos (unconfirmed projects) – Wikipedia (other work)
• Developing a clothing line

Focus on fashion and music

Dolan has long been interested in fashion. In 2023 he designed costumes for a ballet production, though the exact venue remains unclear. He has also hinted at a limited series for a streaming platform, but no official announcement has been made.

Upcoming film in pre-production

As of early 2025, Dolan is developing a new feature film set in Quebec. The script is complete, according to his representatives, and shooting is expected to begin later in the year. No casting or title has been announced.

The catch: Dolan is balancing commercial work with creative projects, keeping filmmaking on his own terms.

What is Xavier Dolan famous for?

Early success with I Killed My Mother

Dolan wrote, directed, and starred in his debut feature at age 20. I Killed My Mother premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and won three awards: the SACD Award, the Regard Jeune Prize, and the Grand Prix for best film in the Directors’ Fortnight section – Wikipedia (I Killed My Mother).

Breakthrough with Mommy

His fifth feature, Mommy (2014), earned the Cannes Jury Prize and grossed over $15 million worldwide, a remarkable figure for a Quebec film. It was also nominated for the César Award for Best Foreign Film, which it won in 2015.

International acclaim and awards

Dolan’s film It’s Only the End of the World (2016) won the Grand Prix and the Ecumenical Jury Prize at Cannes, and later the César Award for Best Foreign Film. He has received eight César nominations in total.

The pattern: Dolan became the face of a new generation of Quebec cinema, known for operatic emotion, pop soundtracks, and unflinching depictions of family conflict.

What is Xavier Dolan’s net worth?

Estimated net worth from film earnings

Credible sources estimate Dolan’s net worth at approximately $10 million – Wikipedia (net worth). This includes earnings from film sales, streaming deals, and his acting income.

Income from fashion and endorsements

His Bell Canada commercial work in 2025 likely added a significant but undisclosed sum. Dolan has also dabbled in fashion partnerships, though specific figures are not public.

Real estate and assets

He owns property in Montreal and Los Angeles. The Montreal home, a mid-century modern house in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood, was featured in design magazines.

The trade-off: Dolan’s net worth is modest compared to Hollywood peers, but he has prioritized artistic control over commercial blockbusters. His hiatus allowed him to reset financially and creatively.

What are Xavier Dolan’s upcoming projects?

New feature film announcement

Dolan confirmed in early 2024 – through a brief statement to a Quebec publication – that he is returning to direct a feature film. The project is described as a drama set in Quebec, with a script he wrote himself.

Possible television series

He has expressed interest in directing a limited series for a streaming platform. No deal has been signed, but representatives say he is in preliminary discussions with a Canadian broadcaster.

Continued involvement in fashion

Dolan continues to develop his clothing line and has hinted at a collaboration with a Montreal fashion label. No launch date has been set.

The catch: fans expecting a return to the festival circuit may be disappointed – Dolan has indicated he may never again submit a film to Cannes. His future projects seem designed for smaller, more controlled releases.

Dolan’s break from cinema was never a true exit – it was a recalibration. For Quebec’s film industry, the director’s return matters not just for his box‑office draw, but for the signal it sends about the sustainability of art-film careers. The choice for Dolan is clear: embrace the scaled‑back, commercial‑adjacent path that keeps him sane, or risk the burnout that made him quit once. His audience is watching, and so is the entire Canadian film community.

His surprise return has sparked renewed interest in Xavier Dolans filmography, which now includes two ambitious new projects.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Anne Élisabeth Bossé · Ludivine Reding (fellow Quebec actors who worked with Dolan)