Independent films, also known as indie films, are films that are produced outside of the major Hollywood studio system. They are typically made on lower budgets and with smaller crews than what the movie studios produce. Independent films are often more experimental and less mainstream. They often deal with more challenging topics.
Independent films are made by a wide range of filmmakers, from first-time directors to established veterans. They can be shot in any genre, from documentaries to dramas to comedies.
Some of the most famous independent films include:
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- The Blair Witch Project (1999)
- Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
- Moonlight (2016)
- Parasite (2019)
Independent films are often screened at film festivals before they are released to theaters or streaming services. Film festivals provide a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and to reach a wider audience.
They are an important part of the film industry. They offer filmmakers the freedom to create films that are their own unique vision. Independent films often reflect the voices and experiences of underrepresented groups, and they play a vital role in shaping popular culture.
Here are some of the benefits of independent films:
- They offer filmmakers the freedom to create films that are their own unique vision.
- They often reflect the voices and experiences of underrepresented groups.
- They play a vital role in shaping popular culture.
- They can be more experimental and less mainstream than studio films.
- They often deal with more challenging topics.
Independent films are a strong alternative to the typical Hollywood production. Movie studios are concerned about what a film will do at the box office. They are dependent upon the money coming in from blockbusters to produce other works.
Turning a profit is obviously important to independent filmmakers also. This can often be a secondary consideration as they tend to focus upon the story being told.
| Rank | Title | Date | Worldwide gross | Film distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Passion of the Christ | February 25, 2004 | $611,486,736 | Icon Productions |
| 2 | The Intouchables | September 23, 2010 | $484,630,908 | Gaumont |
| 3 | Dances with Wolves | November 9, 1990 | $424,208,805 | Orion Pictures |
| 4 | The King's Speech | September 6, 2010 | $423,999,102 | Momentum Pictures |
| 5 | Slumdog Millionaire | August 30, 2008 | $378,410,113 | Pathé Distribution |
| 6 | My Big Fat Greek Wedding | April 19, 2002 | $368,744,044 | IFC Films |
| 7 | American Beauty | September 8, 1999 | $356,258,047 | DreamWorks Pictures |
| 8 | Black Swan | September 1, 2010 | $329,398,046 | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| 9 | Se7en | September 15, 1995 | $328,125,643 | New Line Cinema |
| 10 | The Silence of the Lambs | February 14, 1991 | $275,726,716 | Orion Pictures |
| 11 | Parasite | May 21, 2019 | $262,857,186 | CJ Entertainment/Neon |
| 12 | The Full Monty | August 15, 1997 | $261,249,383 | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| 13 | The Blair Witch Project | January 23, 1999 | $248,639,099 | North America |
| 14 | Silver Linings Playbook | November 16, 2012 | $236,412,453 | The Weinstein Company |
| 15 | Juno | September 1, 2007 | $231,450,102 | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| 16 | Sound of Freedom † | July 4, 2023 | $230,684,308 | Angel Studios |
| 17 | Fahrenheit 9/11 | May 17, 2004 | $222,446,882 | FLIC Distributors |
| 18 | Good Will Hunting | December 2, 1997 | $225,925,989 | Miramax |
| 19 | Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon | May 18, 2000 | $213,514,672 | Sony Pictures Classics |
| 20 | Pulp Fiction | May 21, 1994 | $212,894,343 | Miramax |
| 21 | Traffic | December 27, 2000 | $207,515,725 | Focus Features |
| 22 | The Shape of Water | December 1, 2017 | $195,333,312 | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| 23 | Kill Bill: Volume 1 | October 10, 2003 | $180,899,045 | Miramax |
| 24 | Brokeback Mountain | December 9, 2005 | $178,062,759 | Focus Features |
| 25 | The Grand Budapest Hotel | March 7, 2014 | $173,082,189 | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| 26 | No Country for Old Men | November 9, 2007 | $171,627,166 | Miramax/Paramount Vantage |
| 27 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest | November 19, 1975 | $163,281,275 | United Artists |
| 28 | The Hateful Eight | December 25, 2015 | $156,480,177 | The Weinstein Company |
| 29 | Kill Bill: Volume 2 | April 16, 2004 | $154,116,796 | Miramax |
| 30 | Everything Everywhere All at Once | March 25, 2022 | $141,054,397 | A24 |
| 31 | Coraline | February 6, 2009 | $124,596,837 | Focus Features |
| 32 | Lost in Translation | September 12, 2003 | $117,085,297 | Focus Features |
| 33 | Sideways | October 22, 2004 | $109,726,800 | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| 34 | Birdman | October 17, 2014 | $103,215,094 | North America |
| 35 | Crash | May 6, 2005 | $101,173,038 | Lionsgate |
| 36 | Little Miss Sunshine | July 26, 2006 | $101,058,954 | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
| 37 | Fritz the Cat | April 12, 1972 | $90,000,000 | Cinemation Industries |
| 38 | Whiplash | January 16, 2014 | $48,982,041 | Sony Pictures Classic/Stage 6 Films |
