Independent, or indie, films are made without a big studio or production company involved, shot on a smaller budget and usually feature lesser-known or first-time actors. They’re often made by those who want more creative control over their movie than a major studio might give them.
Case in point: Well-known director, Christopher Nolan, made his first film, “Following,” for just $6,000 and shot it on weekends for over a year while he was still a student. The New Zealand director, Taika Waitit, has made a career out of turning out smaller indie films, which became some of the highest-grossing in his country’s history. As indie creators have more freedom and control to realize their vision, their films can be cinematic gems combining deeply moving acting and well-written scripts.
We’ve put together a list of our 30 favorite independent films — some of which still earned a killing at the box office. The choices are wide-ranging, including horror, comedy, drama, biopics, documentary and suspense, which means there’s a film on our list for everyone.
Bottom Line: Following
“Following” was Christopher Nolan’s directorial debut before going on to make blockbuster films such as “Momento,” “Inception” and “The Dark Knight.” The movie is about a writer, the Young Man, who follows random people around London to get inspiration for his work.
One day, he follows a thief, Cobb, who catches him and teaches the young man how to break and enter into people’s houses so the writer can get even closer to their lives.
Critics gave this film an overall score of 81 percent, saying the movie was “compellingly written and directed” and “a challenging and intriguing piece of work.” Some critics still call it the best work Nolan has done, despite having become a big-time director.
Watch now: Following, $4.20 to rent, free with an AFC Films or AMC+ subscription
Bottom Line: The Nightingale
“The Nightingale ” is the story of Clare, a wife, mother and indentured convict in 19th century Australia. Her master, a British Army officer, refuses to release her at the end of her sentence and commits a shocking act of violence against her family.
Clare pairs up with an Aboroginal tracker, who has his own reasons for hating the British, to hunt down the officer in the Tasmanian wilderness to avenge her family.
Critics gave this fim an overall score of 86 percent, calling it a “gripping and moving suspense film” and “a very beautiful and compellingly told tale of a dark history.”
Watch now: The Nightingale, $4.20 to rent
Bottom Line: Fyre
“Fyre” is a behind-the-scenes documentary about the Fyre Music Festival, a failed luxury music festival that was planned in the Bahamas but never happened.
Attendees, who had paid hundreds for tickets, were promised villas and gourmet food but arrived on the island to find tents, packaged food and a cancelled concert. The organizer, Billy McFarland, was later charged with fraud.
Critics gave this film that was released on Netflix an overall score of 92 percent, saying that it has “brisk, mixed bag storytelling” and is “a glorious watchable, often barely believable documentary.”
Watch now: Fyre, free with a Netflix subscription
Bottom Line: Blindspotting
“Blindspotting” deals with issues of race and class in modern-day America. A Black ex-convict, Collin, is days away from finishing his probation. He and his best friend Miles work as movers and see their old neighborhood becoming gentrified and trendy.
After Collin witnesses a police shooting that haunts him, he begins to question his friendship with the volatile and erratic Miles.
Critics gave the film an overall score of 94 percent, calling it a “tight-rope traversing masterpiece,” a “near faultless film, bravely engaging with topical issues,” and a “powerful, well-acted film with memorable characters.”
Watch now: Blindspotting, $3.80 to rent
Bottom Line: Mary and Max
Set in the 1970s,“Mary and Max” is a black-and-white animated film about an unlikely friendship between Mary, a lonely, 8-year-old girl who lives in Melbourne, Australia, and Max, a 40-year-old obese man with Aspergers who lives in New York City.
They become pen pals and carry on a 20-year correspondence.
Critics gave the film an overall score of 95 percent, calling it “a beautiful story of friendship, forgiveness, love and humanity” and “a film of astonishing beauty.”
Watch now: Mary and Max, $2.99 to rent
Bottom Line: You Can Count On Me
Paramount Classics / IMDb
“You Can Count On Me” is a family drama about two siblings who are estranged and how they reunite.
Sammy is a single mother in a small town, raising her 8-year-old son. When her troubled younger brother returns to town in order to borrow money, Sammy’s carefully ordered life is turned upside down.
The film won the Best Picture at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for two Academy Awards. Critics gave it an overall score of 95 percent, calling it “a superior, acutely observed comedy-drama about family ties” and “beautiful, compassionate.”
Watch now: You Can Count on Me, $3.60 to rent, $4.50 to buy, free with Cinemax subscription
Bottom Line: Blue Ruin
“Blue Ruin” is about a man, Dwight Evans, who lives as a vagrant and has no contact with his only sibling.
His parents were murdered 10 years earlier, and when Evans hears that the killer, Wade Cleland, is being released from prison, he decided to avenge his parents by killing Cleland. Evans succeeds but bumbles his getaway and has both the police and Cleland’s family hunting him.
Critics gave the film an overall score of 96 percent, calling it “ a great low-budget thriller” and “a well-paced, well-written and surprisingly poignant film.”
Watch now: Blue Ruin, $3.99 to rent
Bottom Line: The Wrestler
Twentieth Century Fox / IMDb
“The Wrestler” is the story of an aging wrestler who still takes part in small-time competitions and works in a grocery store. He wants to connect with his daughter, who he abandoned as a child, and get together with a stripper he cares about.
He gets a chance at a comeback when he’s given a rematch with his former nemesis, The Ayatollah. The film used real-life wrestlers in many of the action scenes.
Critics gave the film an overall score of 98 percent, calling it “powerful, yet graceful” and “emotional and engaging.”
Watch now: The Wrestler, $3.99 to rent
