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List of American independent films

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This is a list of notable American independent films (which are also known sometimes as "specialty", "alternative", "indie", and/or "quality") that were made outside of the Hollywood studio system or traditional arthouse/independent filmmaking yet managed to be produced, financed and distributed by the two with varying degrees of success and/or failure.{{cite news|last1=Robey|first1=Tim|title=The rise and rise of Indiewood|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3623444/The-rise-and-rise-of-Indiewood.html|accessdate=2 February 2018|publisher=Telegraph|date=5 September 2004}}

Differences from Hollywood

The films are often made for far less money than Hollywood films[https://www.ft.com/content/5ff5305e-b75b-11e4-8807-00144feab7de How Indiewood gatecrashed the Oscars|Financial Times] (some films like Robert Townsend's 1987 satire Hollywood Shuffle, Richard Linklater's 1991 countercultural piece Slacker and Kevin Smith's 1994 Gen X comedy Clerks were funded by using credit cards){{Cite journal |last=Horton |first=Robert |date=1990 |title=Stranger Than Texas |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43453863 |journal=Film Comment |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=77–78 |jstor=43453863 |issn=0015-119X}} and each aspect of the filmmaking process has to undergo less scrutiny by committees. Additionally, within the Indiewood approach the filmmaker can take as long as they need in the post-production phase of their film - whereas in Hollywood they are contracted to finish the film in a specific period of time (usually 10 weeks). In Hollywood, the film then goes on to show in focus group screenings on the studio lot. In Indiewood, the filmmakers can determine the next steps of the film. They also bear striking similarities to as well as were influenced by the "proto-indies" of the 1960s such as Robert Downey Sr's still image film Chafed Elbows (1966), John Cassavetes's Academy Award-nominated Faces and Brian de Palma's Greetings (each from 1968) which in turn were influenced by the culture of the Beat Generation.[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118758359.ch9 Proto-Indie - A Companion to American Indie Film - Wiley Online Library]

Many indie films were made by small companies that were created daily in the 80s and 90s to the point where most of them went bankrupt.[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/07/missing-movies-streaming-initiative ‘We can’t afford to lose them’: the fight to bring missing movies back|Movies|The Guardian]

Most Indiewood films are first shown at film festivals with the hopes of further distribution by being picked up (or purchased) by a larger film company or distributor in order to find broader audiences alongside awards consideration[https://collider.com/mark-duplass-indie-tv-movies/ What's the Difference Between Indie Film and Indie TV? Mark Duplass Explains|Collider] (e.g. 2009's A Single Man).[https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jfilmvideo.68.1.0019 Overcoming the Stigma: The Queer Denial of Indiewood on JSTOR]

Background

The American independent film, beginning in the 1910s but prior to the 1980s and first half of the 1990s,[https://www.avclub.com/louis-malle-teams-a-young-susan-sarandon-with-an-aging-1798283835 Louie Maple teams a young Susan Sarandon with an aging Burt Lancaster|The A.V. Club] was previously associated with race films,[https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/03/04/469149240/restored-movies-by-african-american-filmmakers-find-new-audiences Restored 'Race Films' Find New Audiences : Code Switch : NPR] Poverty Row b movies (e.g. Republic Pictures),[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLmCNfh0dQo Why B-Movies never won Oscars|HOW TO SEE B_Movie with Dave Kehr - The Museum of Modern Art on official YouTube channel][https://www.republicpictures75th.com/ Republic Pictures 75th] exploitation films, avant-garde underground cinema (when it was known as the New American Cinema),[https://www.artandtrash.ca/episodes/neverlands Neverlands: David Brooks and the New American Cinema – Art & Trash] social and political documentaries, experimental animated shorts (since the mid-1930s featuring works by pioneer animators Mary Ellen Bute and Oskar Fischinger), social realist dramas.[https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a32684275/best-indie-movies/ 27 Of The Best Indie Movies Of All Time|Esquire][https://books.google.com/books?id=FSdQAAAAMAAJ Enchanted Drawings - Google Books (pgs.286-293)][https://hyperallergic.com/467306/ucla-gower-gulch-poverty-row-series/ An Archive Restores and Resurrects Hollywood's Earliest Indie Films - Hyperallergic][https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hollywood_Independents/0mPWE4Ysa0wC?hl=en&gbpv=0 Hollywood Independents: The Postwar Talent Takeover - Google Books]

Many post-WWII period independent filmmakers, like Francis Thompson, believed that cinema is an art form and a forum for discussing social issues.[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Nonfiction_Film/z7p36FdLYdIC?hl=en&gbpv=0 Nonfiction Film: A Critical History Revised and Expanded - Google Books (pg.290)]

A notable scholar of indie cinema is Ray Carney, known for championing the works of Cassavetes and Mark Rappaport.[https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-strange-and-sad-saga-of-how-filmmaker-mark-rappaport-lost-his-movies-and-what-he-can-do-to-get-them-back-39582/ The Strange and Sad Saga of How Filmmaker Mark Rappaport Lost His Movies (And What He Can Do To Get Them Back)|IndieWire]

Throughout the middle of the 1990s, the word "Indiewood" (a.k.a. "indie boom" or "indie film movement") was invented to describe a component of the spectrum of American films in which distinctions exist, it seemed as if Hollywood and the independent sector had become blurred.[https://academic.oup.com/book/757/chapter-abstract/135407801?redirectedFrom=fulltext Home video and Indiewood|Hollywood: A Very Short Introduction|Oxford Academic][https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17503280.2016.1171688 'Indie doc': documentary film and American 'independent', 'indie' and 'indiewood' filmmaking: Studies in Documentary Film Volume 10, 2016 - Issue 1][https://books.google.com/books?id=TTr8DwAAQBAJ The Cinema Book - Google Books (pg.59)]

Divisions

Indiewood divisions gain from expert experience of the niche industry by hiring leading independent personalities such as Harvey Weinstein[https://www.moma.org/calendar/film/5190 American Indies, 1980-1989|MoMA] from the Disney fold after the exit of the Weinsteins,[https://online.ucpress.edu/fq/article-abstract/64/2/88/41832/Review-Indiewood-USA-Where-Hollywood-Meets?redirectedFrom=fulltext Review: Indiewood, USA: Where Hollywood Meets Independent Cinema, by Geoff King|Film Quarterly|University of California Press][https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7560/729124-009/html Chapter Eight. Maxed Out: Miramax and Indiewood in the New Millennium - De Gruyter] and James Schamus, former joint head of Good Machine alongside producer Ted Hope, at Focus Features.{{Cite web|title=Indiewood, USA: Where Hollywood meets Independent Cinema|url=http://www.gkindiefilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Indiewood-extract.pdf|last=King|first=Geoff|date=2009|website=gkindiefilm.com|publisher=I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=17 May 2020}}

=Other "mini-major" subdivisions/indie distributors=

Sources:[https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/somewhere-only-we-know Somewhere Only We Know on Notebook|MUBI][https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/movies/24film.html New Yorkers Films, an Independent Distributor, Will Close After 44 Years - The New York Times][https://variety.com/2024/film/news/bleecker-street-1236005020/ How Bleecker Street Survived a Decade in the Indie Film Business - Variety][https://www.avclub.com/sundance-film-festival-2024-indie-movies-1851237346 The indie film outlook for 2024 - AV Club][https://www.google.com/books/edition/MGM/2GJRDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 MGM - Google Books (pg.1980)][https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt5hjdj2 The Battle of the Bs: 1950s Hollywood and the Rebirth of Low-Budget Cinema on JSTOR][https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/indie-insights-hollywoods-87696/ Indie insights from Hollywood's past - The Hollywood Reporter][https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/opinion-why-time-now-bold-160019732.html Opinion: Why the Time Is Now for a Bold Indie Renaissance - Yahoo Entertainment][https://www.thecollector.com/hollywood-peak-avant-garde-cinema/ The Rise & Fall of Hollywood's Avant-Garde Cinema|TheCollector]

List of notable American independent films

=Notes=

=1920s=

=1930s=

  • Mamba (1930)
  • Damaged Lives (1933)
  • The Sin of Nora Moran (1933)
  • The Vampire Bat (1933)
  • Maniac (1934)[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-27-ca-41380-story.html The Lessons Are Lost, but Not the Laughs - Los Angeles Times]
  • The Plow That Broke the Plains (1936)[https://leohurwitz.com/collaborators/paul-strand/ Paul Strand - Leo Hurwitz]≠
  • Reefer Madness (1936)[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.15258?af=R Reefer Madness: an undeserved classic movie - Hall - 2021 - Addiction - Wiley Online Library]
  • As the Earth Turns (1938){{cite web |last1=Macdonald |first1=Moira |title=A 20-year-old made a movie in Seattle in the 1930s. This week, it finally makes its TV debut |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/a-20-year-old-made-a-movie-in-seattle-in-the-1930s-this-week-it-finally-makes-its-broadcast-debut/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 9, 2022 |date=October 27, 2021}}

=1940s=

  • The Blood of Jesus (1941)[https://www.academymuseum.org/en/programs/detail/the-blood-of-jesus-with-hell-bound-train-0181269c-0e01-b1f4-f0e8-5a162c3d2540 The Blood of Jesus with Hellbound Train - Academy Museum]≠
  • Native Land (1942)[https://www.filmlinc.org/films/native-land/ Native Land + The Forgotten Village - Film at Lincoln Center]
  • Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)[https://filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/fall1996/50most.php The 50 Most Important Independent Films - Filmmaker Magazine - Fall 1996]≠
  • Hell-Bent for Election (1944)[https://macleans.ca/uncategorized/an-election-year-campaign-video-thats-really-nasty/ An Election-Year Campaign Video That’s Kind of Nasty - Macleans.ca][https://calaborfed.org/california-history/animated-cartoon-sponsored-by-union-played-role-in-reelecting-roosevelt/ Animated cartoon sponsored by union played role in reelecting Roosevelt - California Labor Federation]
  • Brotherhood of Man (1945){{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.10/2.10pages/2.10cohen.html|title=The Unnatural History of Independent Animated Films on 16mm.|website=www.awn.com}}
  • Detour (1945)[https://academic.oup.com/edinburgh-scholarship-online/book/15493/chapter-abstract/170156211?redirectedFrom=fulltext Independent Filmmaking in the Studio Era: The Poverty Row Studios (1930–50s)|American Independent Cinema: An Introduction|Edinburgh Scholarship Online][https://www.uri.edu/news/2023/05/uri-film-professor-picks-five-essential-american-indie-films/ URI film professor picks five essential American indie films - Rhody Today][https://books.google.com/books?id=F868EAAAQBAJ Screening American Independent Film - Google Books]≠
  • Mom and Dad (1945)[https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-film-preservation-board/documents/mom_dad.pdf film essay for "Mom and Dad" - loc.gov][https://wexarts.org/read-watch-listen/amazing-story-mom-and-dad The amazing story of Mom and Dad|Wexner Center for the Arts]
  • The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)≠
  • Duel in the Sun (1946)
  • Fireworks (1947)[https://nofilmschool.com/2016/11/watch-how-new-hollywood-created-the-american-indie Watch: How New Hollywood Created the American Indie - No Film School]
  • Motion Painting No. 1 (1947)[https://www.moma.org/collection/works/315486 Oskar Fischinger, Motion Painting no. 1, 1947|MoMA]≠
  • Louisiana Story (1948)≠
  • The Quiet One (1948)
  • I Shot Jesse James (1949)

=1950s=

  • The Baron of Arizona (1950)[https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/499-eclipse-series-5-the-first-films-of-samuel-fuller Eclipse Series 5: The First Films of Samuel Fuller|The Criterion Collection]
  • Outrage (1950)≠
  • Five (1951)[https://trailersfromhell.com/five/ Five - Trailers From Hell]
  • The Steel Helmet (1951)
  • Kansas City Confidential (1952){{cite news|last=Kehr|first=Dave|title=New DVDs|date=10 July 2007|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/movies/homevideo/10dvd.html|access-date=4 April 2018}}
  • Othello (1952)
  • Park Row (1952)[https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Emotion-filmmaker-Fuller-gets-his-due-2659591.php 'Emotion' filmmaker Fuller gets his due - SFGATE]
  • Rancho Notorious (1952)
  • Fear and Desire (1953)[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8181-the-criterion-channels-july-2023-lineup The Criterion Channel's July 2023 Lineup|Current|The Criterion Collection]
  • The Hitch-Hiker (1953)≠
  • Invaders from Mars (1953)[https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/25-films-named-to-national-film-registry-for-preservation/s/55d5285d-916f-4105-b7d4-7fc3ba8664e3 25 Films Named to National Film Registry for Preservation|Library of Congress][https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/invaders-from-mars-sci-fi-classic-inspired-spielberg-generation/ Invaders From Mars: The Sci-Fi Classic That Inspired The Spielberg Generation|Den of Geek]≠
  • Little Fugitive (1953)[https://www.avclub.com/the-52-most-important-american-independent-movies-1842597128 The 52 most important American independent movies|The A.V. Club]≠
  • Robot Monster (1953)[https://www.cinemastance.com/blasts-from-the-past-blu-ray-review-robot-monster-1953-aka-robot-monster-3d/ Blasts from the Past! Blu-ray Review: ROBOT MONSTER (1953) aka ROBOT MONSTER 3D - CinemaStance Dot Com]
  • Johnny Guitar (1954)[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dietrich_Icon/3sduqvD_0mAC?hl=en&gbpv=1 Dietrich Icon - Google Books (pg.261)]≠
  • Salt of the Earth (1954)[https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/declaration-of-independents-the-30-greatest-american-indie-films-19373/ Great U.S. Indie Films: 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' to 'Pulp Fiction' - Rolling Stone]
  • Bride of the Monster (1955)[https://trailersfromhell.com/bride-of-the-monster/ Bride of the Monster - Trailers From Hell]
  • Killer's Kiss (1955)
  • The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)≠
  • 3rd Ave. El (1955)
  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)≠
  • The Adventures of an * (1957)
  • Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)
  • Forty Guns (1957)
  • I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957)
  • A Man and His Dog Out for Air (1957)[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Animation/RuZWDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 Animation - Google Books (ch.4 "Independent Animators and the Artisanal Mode 1947-1989")]
  • On the Bowery (1957)≠
  • 12 Angry Men (1957)[https://www.ign.com/articles/best-independent-indie-movies-cinefix-list The Top 10 Indie Movies of All Time | A Cinefix Movie List - IGN]≠
  • Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958)
  • The Blob (1958)[https://trailersfromhell.com/blob/ The Blob - Trailers From Hell]
  • I Want to Live! (1958)
  • Missile to the Moon (1958)[https://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s128missle.html Savant Review: Missile to the Moon - DVD Talk]
  • The Screaming Skull (1958)
  • Anatomy of a Murder (1959)≠
  • Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)[https://movieweb.com/50s-horror-movies-underrated/ Underrated Horror Movies of the 1950s, Ranked - MovieWeb]
  • A Bucket of Blood (1959)[https://www.newwavefilm.com/international/american-new-wave-1.shtml American New Wave Cinema, A History (Part One)]
  • The Cry of Jazz (1959)≠
  • Moonbird (1959)[https://animationobsessive.substack.com/p/when-indie-animation-won-its-first When Indie Animation Won Its First Oscar|Animation Obsessive][https://animationobsessive.substack.com/p/a-film-that-lives-forever A Film That Live Forever|Animation Obsessive]
  • Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)
  • Science Friction (1959)[https://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/12/25/an-auteurist-history-of-film-independent-animation-1947-60/ "MoMA | An Auteurist History of Film: Independent Animation, 1947–60".] www.moma.org.
  • Skyscraper (1959)
  • Pull My Daisy (1959)≠
  • Shadows (1959){{refn|[https://www.austinfilm.org/series/the-original-indies-the-birth-of-american-independent-cinema/ THE ORIGINAL INDIES: THE BIRTH OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENT CINEMA|Austin Film Society]}}≠
  • The Violinist (1959){{cite web|title=Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1959 -|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/cartoons-considered-for-an-academy-award-1959/|website=cartoonresearch.com}}

=1960s=

  • The Fall of the House of Usher (1960)≠
  • The Flower Thief (1960)
  • The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
  • Munro (1960){{cite web|title=Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1960 -|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/cartoons-considered-for-an-academy-award-1960/|website=cartoonresearch.com}}[https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Animated_Cartoons_of_the_Vietna/WlEjmDkdc08C?hl=en&gbpv=0 American Animated Cartoons of the Vietnam Era: A Study of Social Commentary in Films and Television Programs, 1961-1973 - Google Books (pg.197)]
  • Psycho (1960)[https://www.sagindie.org/indieblog/more-movies-you-probably-forgot-were-indies/ More Movies You Probably Forgot Were Indies - SAGIndie]≠
  • The Savage Eye (1960)
  • Allures (1961)≠
  • The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)
  • Blast of Silence (1961)[https://www.bkmag.com/2016/12/19/reel-brooklyn-blast-of-silence-east-new-york/ REEL BROOKLYN: BLAST OF SILENCE, EAST NEW YORK - Brooklyn Magazine][https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/blast-of-silence/ BLAST OF SILENCE - American Cinematheque][https://screenanarchy.com/2023/12/blast-of-silence-blu-ray-review-a-cult-late-noir-gem.html BLAST OF SILENCE Blu-Ray Review: A Cult Late Noir Gem Remastered - ScreenAnarchy]
  • The Connection (1961)
  • The Exiles (1961)≠
  • Night Tide (1961)[https://variety.com/1960/film/reviews/night-tide-1200419935/ Night Tide - Variety][https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/cinema/screening/night-tide-2020-02-05/ Night Tide - Cinema - Queensland Art Gallery|Gallary of Modern Art]
  • Something Wild (1961)[https://harvardfilmarchive.org/calendar/something-wild-2016-03 Something Wild - Harvard Film Archive][https://cinemadailyus.com/reviews/tribeca-festival-review-the-wild-one-a-magnificent-documentary-where-life-and-craft-resound-social-justice-consciousness/ Tribeca Festival : Review / The Wild One, A Magnificent Documentary Where Life And Craft Resound Social Justice Consciousness- Cinema Daily US]
  • Carnival of Souls (1962)[https://www.popmatters.com/carnival-of-souls-indie-horror-meets-world-cinema-2495418954.html INDIE HORROR MEETS WORLD CINEMA IN THE CULT 'CARNIVAL OF SOULS'|PopMatters][https://nofilmschool.com/2016/10/how-carnival-souls-bridges-art-house-and-horror How Obscure Horror Film 'Carnival of Souls' Influenced Everything You've Ever Seen - No Film School][https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/carnival-of-souls-review/ 'Carnival of Souls' Proves the Shocking Allure of Indie Horror - Hollywood in Toto][https://trailersfromhell.com/carnival-of-souls/ Carnival of Souls - Trailers From Hell]
  • Eegah (1962)
  • The Hole (1962)≠
  • Wild Guitar (1962)[https://www.offbeat.com/news/arch-hall-jr-inside-the-wild-guitar/ Arch Hall, Jr.: Inside the Wild Guitar - Off Beat Magazine]
  • Beach Party (1963)
  • Blood Feast (1963)
  • The Cool World (1963)≠
  • The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (1963)
  • Mothlight (1963)
  • Pianissimo (1963)[https://www.moma.org/momaorg/shared/pdfs/docs/press_archives/4784/releases/MOMA_1972_0013_11.pdf FILMS FOR CHILDREN (1972 program) on MoMA.org]
  • The Sadist (1963)
  • Shock Corridor (1963)[https://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s3414corr.html DVD Savant Blu--ray Review: Shock Corridor - DVD Talk]≠
  • The Brig (1964)
  • Help! My Snowman's Burning Down (1964)
  • Nothing But a Man (1964)≠
  • Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)[https://keyframe.fandor.com/santa-claus-conquers-the-martians-take-one/ SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS, Take 1 - Keyframe]
  • Teenage Strangler (1964)[https://www.grafwv.com/on-the-big-screen/2009/11/23/west-virginia-related-films/ West Virginia related films|News, Sports, Jobs - Graf WV]
  • Two Thousand Maniacs (1964)
  • Time Piece (1965)[https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/22/17765296/jim-henson-muppets-snl-happytime-murders Jim Henson: Before Happytime Murders, Muppet creator told edgy stories - Polygon][https://www.awn.com/animationworld/help-i-love-watching-animated-shorts Help! I Love Watching Animated Shorts|Animation World Network]
  • Vinyl (1965)
  • Chafed Elbows (1966)
  • Chelsea Girls (1966)≠
  • A Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Double Feature (1966){{cite web|title=Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award 1966 -|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/cartoons-considered-for-an-academy-award-1966/|website=cartoonresearch.com}}
  • Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)[https://books.google.com/books?id=A1FrnAEACAAJ Huh?: An A-Z of why Classic American Bad Movies Were Made - Google Books]
  • The Wild Angels (1966)
  • The Box (1967)[https://aquariumdrunkard.com/2022/03/03/50-years-of-harry-nilssons-the-point/ 50 Years Of Harry Nilsson's The Point - Aquarium Drunkard]
  • David Holzman's Diary (1967)≠
  • Dont Look Back (1967)≠
  • The Graduate (1967)[https://movieweb.com/timeless-indie-movies/ The 20 Most Timeless Indie Movies - MovieWeb]≠
  • The Jungle (1967)[https://www.cinema.ucla.edu/events/2020/02/08/jungle-several-friends The Jungle / Several Friends / The Pocketbook / Grey Area|UCLA Film & Television Archive]≠
  • Portrait of Jason (1967)[https://www.oscars.org/events/real-indies-close-look-orphan-films THE REAL INDIES: A CLOSE LOOK AT ORPHAN FILMS|Oscars.org]≠
  • Spider Baby (1967)[https://www.oscars.org/events/real-indies-spider-baby The Real Indies: A Close Look at Orphan Films|Oscars.org (title: "Spider Baby")]
  • The Trip (1967)
  • Wavelength (1967)[https://jonathanrosenbaum.net/2024/03/local-color-five-american-touchstones/ Local Color: Five American Touchstones|Jonathan Rosenbaum]
  • Who's That Knocking at My Door? (1967)
  • Beyond the Law (1968)
  • Faces (1968)≠
  • Greetings (1968)
  • Murder a la Mod (1968)
  • Night of the Living Dead (1968){{refn|}}≠
  • No More Excuses (1968)
  • Symbiopsychotaxiplasm Take One (1968)[https://books.google.com/books?id=6Il-DwAAQBAJ Rewriting Indie Cinema - Google Books]≠
  • Targets (1968)[https://trailersfromhell.com/the-last-picture-show/ The Last Picture Show - Trailers From Hell]
  • Why Man Creates (1968)≠
  • Wild 90 (1968)
  • Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)
  • Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)
  • Easy Rider (1969)≠
  • The Learning Tree (1969)≠
  • Midnight Cowboy (1969)≠
  • Putney Swope (1969)[https://trailersfromhell.com/putney-swope/ Putney Swope - Trailers From Hell]≠

=1970s=

  • The Further Adventures of Uncle Sam (1970)
  • Husbands (1970)
  • Is It Always Right to Be Right? (1970){{cite web|title=Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1970 -|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/cartoons-considered-for-an-academy-award-1970/|website=cartoonresearch.com}}
  • Joe (1970)[https://trailersfromhell.com/joe/ Joe - Trailers From Hell]
  • Maidstone (1970)
  • Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1970)[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/7807-the-criterion-channels-june-2022-lineup The Criterion Channel's June 2022 Lineup|Current|The Criterion Collection]≠
  • Wanda (1970)[https://books.google.com/books?id=WKZzDwAAQBAJ When the Movies Mattered - Google Books]≠
  • Billy Jack (1971)
  • Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
  • (nostalgia) (1971)≠
  • Shinbone Alley (1971)
  • THX-1138 (1971)
  • Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)≠
  • Fritz the Cat (1972)
  • The Last House on the Left (1972)
  • Pink Flamingos (1972)≠
  • Badlands (1973)[https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/10-great-breakthrough-american-indie-films 10 great breakthrough American indies|BFI]≠
  • Coffy (1973)
  • Frank Film (1973)≠
  • Ganja & Hess (1973)≠
  • Godmonster of Indian Flats (1973)
  • Heavy Traffic (1973)
  • Mean Streets (1973)≠
  • Messiah of Evil (1973)[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/4143-carnival-of-souls-thinkin-like-that-dont-it-give-you-nightmares Carnival of Souls: "Thinkin' Like That, Don't It Give You Nightmares?"|Current|The Criterion Collection][https://moviesandmania.com/2014/09/28/nightmare-usa-the-untold-story-of-the-exploitation-independents-book/ Nightmare USA - Book by Stephen Thrower - MOVIES and MANIA]
  • Sisters (1973)
  • Walking Tall (1973)[https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2017/great-directors/phil-karlson/ Karlson, Phil - Senses of Cinema]
  • Benji (1974)[https://www.visitmckinney.com/benji/ 'Benji' Events|Visit McKinney]
  • Closed Mondays (1974)
  • Dark Star (1974)
  • Female Trouble (1974)
  • Fuji (1974)≠
  • The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)≠
  • A Woman Under the Influence (1974)≠
  • 200 (1975)
  • A Boy and His Dog (1975){{cite web|date=2022|title=A Boy and His Dog|url=https://thenewbev.com/blog/2017/05/a-boy-and-his-dog/|website=New Beverly Cinema|access-date=February 6, 2022}}
  • Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1975){{Cite magazine|last=Brody|first=Richard|title=Movie of the Week: "Aloha, Bobby and Rose"|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/movie-of-the-week-aloha-bobby-and-rose|access-date=2021-02-22|magazine=The New Yorker|language=en-us}}
  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975)[https://books.google.com/books?id=0aS0_v5rr9MC Contemporary American Independent Film - Google Books]
  • Cooley High (1975)[https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/chicago-based-cooley-high-turns-40 Chicago-based Cooley High turns 40|Time Out Chicago]≠
  • Coney (1975)[https://www.oscars.org/events/real-indies-altered-reality The Real Indies: A Close Look at Orphan Films|Oscars.org (title: "Altered Reality")]
  • The Giant Spider Invasion (1975)[https://books.google.com/books?id=7J6vBwAAQBAJ A Year of Fear - Google Books (pg.117)][https://www.amazon.com/NIGHTMARE-USA-Untold-Exploitation-Independents/dp/1903254469 NIGHTMARE USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents on Amazon.com]
  • Hester Street (1975)≠
  • Kick Me (1975)[https://www.animationforadults.com/2017/11/the-academy-presents-restored-animated.html THE ACADEMY PRESENTS 'RESTORED ANIMATED RARITIES'|AFA: Animation for Adults]
  • Loose Ends (1975){{Cite web|url=https://www.splittoothmedia.com/david-burton-morris-victoria-wozniak/|title=Loose Ends: An Interview with David Burton Morris and Victoria Wozniak|first=Brett|last=Wright|date=April 25, 2022}}[https://www.trylon.org/film/loose-ends/ Loose Ends – TRYLON]
  • Quasi at the Quackadero (1975)≠
  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)≠
  • Harlan County U.S.A. (1976)≠
  • The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
  • Massacre at Central High (1976)
  • Rocky (1976){{Cite web|url=https://www.filmsite.org/70sintro.html|title=Film History of the 1970s|website=www.filmsite.org}}≠
  • Alambrista! (1977)≠
  • Eraserhead (1977){{refn|}}≠
  • Furies (1977)
  • The Hills Have Eyes (1977)[https://www.americangenrefilm.com/theatrical-film-catalog/the-hills-have-eyes/ American Genre Film Archive THE HILLS HAVE EYES]
  • Killer of Sheep (1977){{refn|}}≠
  • Opening Night (1977)
  • Annie Hall (1977)≠
  • Dawn of the Dead (1978)[https://screenrant.com/best-indie-horror-films-1970s/ Best Indie Horror Films From The 1970s - Screen Rant]
  • Gates of Heaven (1978)[https://www.thewrap.com/daniel-talbot-iconic-indie-film-distributor-and-exhibitor-dies/ Daniel Talbot, Iconic Indie Film Distributor and Exhibitor, Dies|The Wrap]
  • Girlfriends (1978)[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/23/girlfriends-review-claudia-weill-lo-fi-miracle Girlfriends review – a lo-fi indie miracle about love and the city|Movies|The Guardian]≠
  • Halloween (1978)≠
  • Martin (1978)
  • Northern Lights (1978)
  • Piranha (1978)
  • The Whole Shootin' Match (1978)[https://books.google.com/books?id=KoVOCgAAQBAJ Chainsaws, Slackers, and Spy Kids - Google Books (pg.49)][https://www.americangenrefilm.com/theatrical-film-catalog/the-whole-shootin-match/ American Genre Film Archive THE WHOLE SHOOTIN' MATCH]
  • Asparagus (1979)[https://mspfilm.org/films-and-events/wonder-women-suzan-pitt/ MSP Film Society|WonderWomen: The Works of Suzan Pitt][https://books.google.com/books?id=xOFeEAAAQBAJ Mad Eyed Misfits - Google Books]
  • Bush Mama (1979)≠
  • The Driller Killer (1979)Nick Johnstone (1999). Abel Ferrara: The King of New York. Omnibus Press: 8-9
  • Free Radicals (1979)≠
  • Heartland (1979)[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZmVODQAAQBAJ A Companion to American Indie Film - Google Books]
  • Psychotronic Man (1979)[https://spectrumculture.com/2019/10/30/from-the-vaults-of-streaming-hell-the-psychotronic-man/ From the Vaults of Streaming Hell: The Psychotronic Man - Spectrum Culture]{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gKUqAAAAYAAJ|title=Creature Features: The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Guide|last=Stanley|first=John|publisher=Berkley Boulevard Books|year=2000|isbn=0-425-17517-0|edition=illustrated, revised|pages=418}}
  • The Wizard of Speed and Time (1979)

=1980s=

[https://www.sundanceguide.net/sundance-festival-guide/history-of-the-sundance-film-festival/part-3.php History of the Sundance Film Festival (Part 3) - Sundance Guiide]}}

[https://books.google.com/books?id=O1rCKK7pegwC Outsider Features - Google Books]}}≠

=1990s=

  • All My Relations (1990)[https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Eyed-Misfits-Writings-Animation-ebook/dp/B09SJ21C7L?ref_=ast_author_dp Amazon.com: Mad Eyed Misfits: Writings on Indie Animation]
  • The Grifters (1990)
  • House Party (1990)[https://www.bet.com/article/m4pneq/commentary-you-re-remembering-house-party-all-wrong Commentary: You're Remembering House Party All Wrong|News|BET][https://www.sagindie.org/indieblog/movies-you-probably-forgot-were-indies/ Movies You Probably Forgot Were Indies - SAGIndie]≠
  • Jacob's Ladder (1990)
  • King of New York (1990)[https://archive.nerdist.com/schlock-awe-the-driller-killer/ Schlock & Awe: THE DRILLER KILLER - Nerdist]
  • Metropolitan (1990)
  • Miller's Crossing (1990)
  • Mountains of the Moon (1990)
  • Paris Is Burning (1990)[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/queer-cinema-shaped-90s-indie-200053241.html How the New Queer Cinema Shaped the '90s Indie Film Boom - Yahoo Finance][https://books.google.com/books?id=KIxjwKqGXQ4C Indie, Inc. - Google Books]≠
  • Pump Up the Volume (1990)[https://movieweb.com/highly-underrated-90s-indie-movies/ 21 Highly Underrated ‘90s Indie Movies - MovieWeb]
  • Sink or Swim (1990)≠
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)[https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/undercover-indies-unlikely-origins/ Undercover Indies: The Unlikely Origin Story of 1990’s ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ - Film Independent]
  • To Sleep with Anger (1990)[https://www.ioncinema.com/news/disc-reviews/charles-burnett-to-sleep-with-anger-review Criterion Collection: To Sleep with Anger | Blu-Ray Review - IONCINEMA.com][http://blueprintreview.co.uk/2019/03/to-sleep-with-anger/ To Sleep With Anger - Blueprint: Review]≠
  • Total Recall (1990)
  • Trust (1990)[https://collider.com/best-90s-movies-underrated/ 25 Great 90s Movies That Time Forgot|Collider]
  • Wild at Heart (1990)
  • Barton Fink (1991)
  • Daughters of the Dust (1991)≠
  • Dogfight (1991)
  • Homicide (1991)
  • L.A. Story (1991)
  • Truth or Dare (1991)
  • Mississippi Masala (1991)[https://www.sundanceguide.net/sundance-festival-guide/history-of-the-sundance-film-festival/part-4.php History of the Sundance Film Festival (Part 4) - Sundance Guiide]
  • My Own Private Idaho (1991)
  • Night on Earth (1991)≠
  • Poison (1991)[https://www.tasteofcinema.com/2022/the-10-most-underrated-american-independent-films-of-the-1990s/ The 10 Most Underrated American Independent Films of The 1990s – Taste of Cinema]
  • Queen of Diamonds (1991)[https://chicagoreader.com/film/queen-of-diamonds/ Queen of Diamonds - Chicago Reader][https://www.kviff.com/en/programme/film/57/34779-queen-of-diamonds KVIFF|Queen of Diamonds]≠
  • Rambling Rose (1991)[https://books.google.com/books?id=XKEaiePVDpIC Cinema of Outsiders - Google Books]
  • The Rapture (1991)
  • Slacker (1991){{refn|}}≠
  • Straight Out of Brooklyn (1991)
  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)≠
  • Wax or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees (1991)[https://www.screenslate.com/articles/wax-or-discovery-television-among-bees Wax, or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees|Screen Slate][https://isea-archives.siggraph.org/art-events/david-blair-wax-or-the-discovery-of-television-among-the-bees/ “WAX: Or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees” by David Blair – ISEA Symposium Archives][https://366weirdmovies.com/270-wax-or-the-discovery-of-television-among-the-bees-1991/ 270. WAX, OR THE DISCOVERY OF TELEVISION AMONG THE BEES (1991)|366 Weird Movies]
  • American Me (1992)≠
  • Army of Darkness (1992)
  • Bad Lieutenant (1992)[https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/best-indie-movies-you-need-to-watch/ Top 50 Indie Movies You Need to See Before You Die|Complex]
  • Basic Instinct (1992)
  • Bob Roberts (1992)
  • A Brief History of Time (1992)
  • Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (1992)[https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/07/16/robin-williamss-best-role/ The Paris Review - Robin Williams's Best Role]
  • Gas Food Lodging (1992)
  • Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
  • In the Soup (1992)
  • The Living End (1992)
  • Malcolm x (1992)[https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/best-indie-films-1990s-173025843.html The Best Indie Films of the 1990s - Yahoo Entertainment]≠
  • One False Move (1992)[https://screenanarchy.com/2023/07/one-false-move-4k-review-hold-your-breath-never-relax.html ONE FALSE MOVE 4K Review: Hold Your Breath, Never Relax - ScreenAnarchy][https://www.thewrap.com/carl-franklin-one-false-move-anniversary-interview/ Carl Franklin Says ‘One False Move’ Early Screenings Caused ‘Mass Exodus’ - TheWrap]
  • Passion Fish (1992)
  • The Player (1992)
  • Reservoir Dogs (1992){{refn|}}
  • Simple Men (1992)
  • Swoon (1992)
  • The Tune (1992)[https://www.animationmagazine.net/2006/09/indie-animation-king-bill-plympton/ Indie Animation King Bill Plympton|Animation Magazine]
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
  • Alma's Rainbow (1993)
  • Dazed and Confused (1993){{refn|[http://www.thecine-files.com/parker-posey-new-york-flight/ The Cine-Files » Parker Posey: New York Flight]}}
  • El Mariachi (1993){{refn|}}≠
  • Menace II Society (1993)
  • Mi Vida Loca (1993)
  • Red Rock West (1993)
  • Ruby in Paradise (1993)
  • Short Cuts (1993)
  • Suture (1993)
  • The Wedding Banquet (1993)≠
  • Clean, Shaven (1994)
  • Clerks (1994){{refn|

}}≠

=2000s=

=2010s=

  • Beginners (2010)
  • Black Swan (2010)
  • Blue Valentine (2010)
  • Catfish (2010)
  • Greenberg (2010)
  • Inside Job (2010)
  • The Kids Are All Right (2010)
  • The King's Speech (2010)
  • Meek's Cutoff (2010)
  • Winter's Bone (2010)[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118758359.ch14 Rural Crimewave - A Companion to American Indie Film - Wiley Online Library]
  • The Color Wheel (2011)[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-jun-03-la-ca-indie-focus-20120603-story.html Indie Focus: 'The Color Wheel' finally rolls into theaters - Los Angeles Times]
  • The Descendants (2011)
  • Drive (2011)
  • Margaret (2011)
  • Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
  • Pariah (2011)[https://www.firstshowing.net/2011/focus-features-sets-indie-pariah-for-christmas-day-limited-release/ Focus Features Sets Indie 'Pariah' for Christmas Day Limited Release|FirstShowing.net][https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-SEB-68321 Pariah Wins Acceptance In Indie Film World - Wall Street Journal]≠
  • Project Nim (2011)
  • Take Shelter (2011)[https://yourislandnews.com/the-indie-film-corner-take-shelter/ The Indie Film Corner: 'Take Shelter' - The Island News][https://www.indiewire.com/2011/09/review-take-shelter-a-naturalistic-novelistic-portrayal-of-madness-apocalypse-116075/ Review: 'Take Shelter' A Naturalistic, Novelistic Portrayal Of Madness & Apocalypse|IndieWire]
  • The Tree of Life (2011)
  • Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
  • Frances Ha (2012){{Cite web |date=Feb 14, 2024 |title=The Criterion Channel's March 2024 Lineup |url=https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8388-the-criterion-channels-march-2024-lineup |website=The Criterion Channel}}
  • Fresh Guacamole (2012)[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/most-viewed-indie-animated-shorts-on-youtube Top 50 Most-Viewed Indie Animated Shorts On Youtube|Cartoon Brew][https://www.zippyframes.com/shorts/fresh-guacamole-by-pes-the-shortest-film-ever-nominated-for-an-oscar Fresh Guacamole by PES: The shortest film ever nominated for an Oscar|Zippy Frames]
  • It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)[https://www.zippyframes.com/feature-animation/reviews/its-such-a-beautiful-day-review-mind-your-head It's Such a Beautiful Day review: Mind your head|Zippy Frames]
  • The Master (2012)
  • Middle of Nowhere (2012)[https://www.essence.com/news/5-reasons-check-out-indie-film-middle-nowhere/ 5 Reasons to Check Out the Indie Film 'Middle of Nowhere' - Essence][https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/article_87cdffe2-21cb-5fc8-9534-394ccb4acb18.html 'Middle of Nowhere' review: Quiet indie drama offers a look at a woman in limbo|Movies/TV|nola.com][https://www.salon.com/2012/10/11/will_whites_see_a_black_indie_film_like_middle_of_nowhere/ Will whites see a black indie film like "Middle of Nowhere"?|Salon.com]
  • Paranorman (2012)
  • The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
  • Spring Breakers (2012)
  • Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
  • Fruitvale Station (2013)[https://www.sundanceguide.net/sundance-festival-guide/history-of-the-sundance-film-festival/part-8.php History of the Sundance Film Festival (Part 8) - Sundance Film Festival]
  • Moonrise Kingdom (2013)
  • Nebraska (2013)
  • Only God Forgives (2013)
  • 12 Years a Slave (2013)≠
  • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
  • Birdman (2014)
  • The Boxtrolls (2014)
  • Boyhood (2014)
  • Ex Machina (2014)
  • Foxcatcher (2014)
  • Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
  • The Imitation Game (2014)[https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2015/01/15/viewpoint-victory-indiewood-oscars/ Viewpoint: Victory for 'indiewood' at the Oscars?]
  • Listen Up Philip (2014)[https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/listen-up-philip-movie-review-uneven-dramatic-comedy-gives-jason-schwartzman-a-role-to-sink/article_339c075e-9edf-522d-bddb-72190334225b.html 'Listen Up Philip' movie review: Uneven dramatic comedy gives Jason Schwartzman a role to sink his teeth into|Movies/TV|nola.com]
  • Nightcrawler (2014)
  • The Theory of Everything (2014)
  • Whiplash (2014)
  • Carol (2015)
  • Dope (2015)[https://www.oscars.org/calendar/lights-camera-action-production-biographies LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! PRODUCTION: BIOGRAPHIES|Oscars.org]
  • It Follows (2015)
  • Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
  • Spotlight (2015)
  • Tangerine (2015)[https://ew.com/movies/sean-baker-tangerine-best-unconventional-christmas-movie/ Why Tangerine is the best Christmas movie that's not really about Christmas|EW.com]
  • The VVitch (2015)
  • World of Tomorrow (2015)[https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sight-sound-magazine/best-animation-2015 The best indie animation of 2015|Sight & Sound|BFI]
  • American Honey (2016)
  • I Am Not Your Negro (2016)[https://qz.com/quartzy/1192729/sundance-2018-full-sentence-movie-titles-are-increasingly-common Sundance 2018: Full-sentence movie titles are increasingly common - Quartz]
  • La La Land (2016)[https://screenrant.com/la-la-land-opens-big-sets-indie-box-office-records/ La La Land Opens Big; Sets Indie Box Office Records - Screen Rant][https://www.thewrap.com/lauded-la-la-land-breaks-indie-box-office-records/ Lauded 'La La Land' Breaks Indie Box Office Records - TheWrap][https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/making-la-la-land-important-modern-cinema/story?id=45112391 The making of 'La La Land': Why it's important to modern cinema - ABC News][https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/11/la-la-land-lionsgate-film-studio La La Land's success heralds return to Lionsgate's small-scale roots|Film|The Guardian]
  • Life, Animated (2016)[https://thinkingautismguide.com/2016/08/life-animated-autistic-adults-review.html Life, Animated: An Autistic Adult Review – THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM][https://www.bhwcares.com/life-animated/ "Life, Animated": The Owen Suskind Story|Behavorial Health Works][https://www.barnstablepatriot.com/story/news/2016/07/21/disney-helps-young-hyannis-man/27451894007/ Disney helps young Hyannis man find 'Life, Animated' - Barnstable Patriot]
  • Manchester by the Sea (2016)
  • Moonlight (2016){{refn|[https://playback.wisc.edu/2018/03/16/simon-says-the-marketing-of-a-mass-released-lgbtq-film/ Simon Says: The Marketing of a Mass-Released LGBTQ Film - Playback][https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2020/01/14/academy-award-nominations-2020-the-return-of-the-quality-hollywood-studio-film/ Academy Award nominations 2020: The return of the "quality" Hollywood studio film - News - University of Liverpool][https://ew.com/movies/best-a24-films/ The best A24 films to date|EW.com]}}
  • Swiss Army Man (2016)
  • 20th Century Women (2016)[https://brocku.ca/social-sciences/cpcf/brock-university-film-series/bufs-behind-the-scenes/ BUFS Behind-the-Scenes – Brock University (Communication, Popular Culture and Film)]
  • Call Me By Your Name (2017)
  • The Disaster Artist (2017)
  • First Reformed (2017)
  • The Florida Project (2017)[https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/evolution-21st-century-director/ Indie darling to sellout: the shift of the 21st century director|Far Out Magazine]
  • Get Out (2017)[https://movieweb.com/what-is-an-independent-film/ Indie Movies, Explained: What is an Independent Film? - MovieWeb]
  • Good Time (2017)
  • In a Heartbeat (2017)[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Animated_Mischief/HbrYEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 Animated Mischief: Essays on Subversiveness in Cartoons Since 1987 - Google Books (pg.176)][https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/aug/04/in-a-heartbeat-short-film-youtube In a Heartbeat: the story behind the animated gay love short that's gone viral|Animation in film|The Guardian]
  • Ingrid Goes West (2017)
  • I, Tonya (2017)[https://www.thewrap.com/i-tonya-indie-box-office-star-wars/ 'I, Tonya', Other Awards Contenders Keep Indie Box Office Alive Against 'Star Wars'|The Wrap][https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-indie-focus-the-shape-of-water-i-tonya-foxtrot-bombshell-20171209-story.html Indie Focus: Outsiders abound in 'The Shape of Water', 'I, Tonya', 'Foxtrot' and 'Bombshell' - Los Angeles Times]
  • Lady Bird (2017)
  • Phantom Thread (2017)
  • The Shape of Water (2017)
  • Eighth Grade (2018)
  • Hale County This Morning, This Evening (2018)[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8677-the-criterion-channel-s-january-2025-lineup The Criterion channel's January 2025 Lineup|Current|The Criterion Collection]
  • Hereditary (2018)
  • Isle of Dogs (2018)
  • The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2018)
  • Minding the Gap (2018)
  • RBG (2018)
  • The Rider (2018)[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-rider-trailer-release-date-movie-western-chloe-zhao-brady-jandreau-a8494211.html The Rider: Exclusive trailer for new western hailed best indie of the year|The Independent]
  • Sorry to Bother You (2018)
  • The Farewell (2019)
  • First Cow (2019)
  • Hair Love (2019)[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/hair-love-short-will-get-north-american-release-in-front-of-angry-birds-2-177853.html 'Hair Love' Short Will Get North American Release In Front of 'Angry Birds 2'|Cartoon Brew]
  • Jojo Rabbit (2019)
  • The Lighthouse (2019)
  • Marriage Story (2019)[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-08/indie-focus-marriage-story-honey-boy-the-kingmaker Indie Focus: A ballad of love and divorce in Marriage Story - Los Angeles Times]
  • The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)[https://agoodmovietowatch.com/best-indie/ The 50 Best Indie Movies of All-Time - A Good Movie To Watch]
  • Uncut Gems (2019)

=2020s=

  • Cryptozoo (2020)[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/reviews/article-cryptozoo-is-animated-chaos-for-the-indie-film-crowd/ Cryptozoo is animated chaos for the indie-film crowd - The Globe and Mail][https://www.pressherald.com/2021/08/23/indie-film-15/ Indie Film: Fantastical creatures populate the what-if world of 'Cryptozoo' - Portland Press Herald][https://www.zippyframes.com/feature-animation/reviews/cryptozoo-review 'Cryptozoo' Film Review: My Cryptid and Other Animals|Zippy Frames]
  • The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020)
  • Miss Juneteenth (2020)[https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/where-to-watch-the-best-classic-indie-movies-streaming-october-2023/mcdmiju-ec011/ Where to Stream the Best Classic Independent Films This October, from ‘Eraserhead’ to ‘Igby Goes Down’ - IndieWIre]
  • Minari (2020)
  • Nomadland (2020)[https://www.criticsnotebook.com/2021/06/i-carry-you-with-me-te-llevo-conmigo-movie-review-heidi-ewing.html Over the Borderline - Critic's Notebook][https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/newsletter/2021-02-19/nomadland-i-care-a-lot-supernova-indie-focus Indie Focus: On the road with Frances McDormand in ‘Nomadland’ - Los Angeles Times]
  • Zola (2020)
  • CODA (2021)[https://www.avclub.com/an-atypical-sundance-opens-with-typical-indie-drama-and-1846162629 Sundance 2021: Coda, One For The Road, and Censor|AV Club]
  • Jockey (2021)[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2021-12-15/clifton-collins-jockey How real-world magic graces the making of Clifton Collins Jr.’s ‘Jockey’ - Los Angeles Times]
  • The Lost Daughter (2021)[https://collider.com/peter-sarsgaard-movies-best-ranked/ 10 Best Peter Sargaard Movies, Ranked|Collider]
  • Mad God (2021)[https://www.zippyframes.com/feature-animation/mad-god-phil-tippett-review Mad God by Phil Tippett|Film Review|Zippy Frames]
  • Pig (2021)
  • Shiva Baby (2021)[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/newsletter/2021-04-02/shiva-baby-this-is-not-a-burial-its-a-resurrection-nina-wu-indie-focus Indie Focus: Sitting with the anxious comedy of 'Shiva Baby' - Los Angeles Times]
  • Summer of Soul (2021)[https://www.sunjournal.com/events-calendar/#!/details/Indie-Film-Series-Summer-of-Soul/9271246/2021-08-25T17 Indie Film Series: Summer of Soul - Sun Journal Events][https://frontporchne.com/article/indie-prof-the-rescue-and-summer-of-soul/ Indie Prof: "The Rescue" and "Summer of Soul"|Front Porch]
  • Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)[https://deadline.com/2022/04/everything-everywhere-all-once-box-office-milestone-arthouse-indie-cinema-1235007713/ 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Crosses $20M, Reignites Indie Cinema. - Deadline][https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/a24-everything-everywhere-all-at-once-box-office-1235255460/ A24's 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Hits Box Office Milestone - Variety][https://deadline.com/2022/12/box-office-independent-film-specialty-preview-spoiler-alert-the-eternal-daughter-lowndes-county-last-film-show-emancipation-anne-heche-1235187561/ Indie Film Crush, Ahead Of 'Avatar' & Year End, Puts Arthouse Woes On Back Burner – Specialty Preview - Deadline][https://defector.com/indie-cinema-is-now-genre-cinema Indie Cinema Is Now Genre Cinema|Defactor]
  • Fire of Love (2022)[https://www.screendaily.com/features/sara-dosa-on-fire-of-love-this-forced-me-to-work-and-think-in-a-completely-different-way/5177973.article Sara Dosa on 'Fire Of Love': "This forced me to work and think in a completely different way"|Features|Screen Daily]
  • Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022)[https://deadline.com/2022/07/a24-marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-specialty-box-office-2-1235061104/ A24 Has Another Indie Hit, As 'Marcel The Shell' Slides Into Top 10 – Specialty Box Office - Deadline][https://www.thewrap.com/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on-dean-fleischer-camp-interview/ 'Marcel the Shell With Shoes On' Director Explains What It Took to Pull Off One of the Year's Most Charming Movies|The Wrap][https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/50th-annie-awards-2023/ Guillermo del Toro's 'Pinocchio' and 'Turning Red' Lead the Nominations for the 50th Annie Awards 2023 - Hollywood Insider][https://www.avclub.com/a-brief-history-of-adult-animation-1850067524 A brief, and somewhat shocking, history of adult animation|The A.V. Club]
  • My Year of Dicks (2022)[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/know-your-indie-filmmaker/know-your-indie-filmmaker-sara-gunnarsdottir-227855.html Know Your Indie Filmmaker: Sara Gunnarsdóttir|Cartoon Brew][https://www.awn.com/blog/look-my-year-dicks A Look at ‘My Year of Dicks’|Animation World Network]
  • The People's Joker (2022)[https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-indie-movies-overlooked-2024/mcdhith-zx005-2/ Best Indie Movies Overlooked in 2024|IndieWire]
  • Tár (2022)
  • The Whale (2022)[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-whale-box-office-crosses-10-million-brendan-fraser-hit-1235488798/ The Whale Crosses $10 Million at Box Office, Brendan Fraser Hit - Variety]
  • American Fiction (2023)
  • Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project (2023)[https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/2023-documentary-films-1234935147/ In 2023, Golden Age of Documentary Films Seemed Like Distant Memory - IndieWire]
  • The Holdovers (2023)
  • Kokomo City (2023)
  • Ninety-Five Senses (2023)[https://www.slugmag.com/arts/film-arts/you-cant-really-plan-for-getting-an-oscar-a-chat-with-hubbel-palmer/ "You Can't Really Plan for Getting an Oscar": A Chat with Hubbel Palmer - SLUG Magazine]
  • Past Lives (2023)[https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-american-indie-movies-21st-century/ Best American Indies: 'Tangerine', 'Past Lives' and More|IndieWire]
  • Poor Things (2023)
  • Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (2023)
  • Saltburn (2023)
  • Sound of Freedom (2023)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYBU8QmeBTY&t=319s 2023 in Film: Barbie triumphs, Marvel loses steam | The Excerpt - USA Today on YouTube]
  • The Sweet East (2023)[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/review/2024/05/31/gasoline-rainbow-a-pleasantly-meandering-gen-z-road-trip-from-upcoming-auteur-siblings-the-ross-brothers/ Gasoline Rainbow: A pleasantly meandering Gen-Z road trip from upcoming auteur siblings the Ross brothers - The Irish Times]
  • Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)
  • A Thousand and One (2023)
  • War Is Over! (2023)[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/war-is-over-animated-short-lennon-yoko-ono-1234941594/ "War is Over": Animated Short Short Creates Timely Message of Humanity - IndieWire]
  • Anora (2024)[https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-11-29/from-t-shirts-to-thongs-how-indie-film-merchandise-became-a-hot-commodity How independent film merchandise became a hot commodity - Los Angeles Times][https://www.npr.org/2025/03/03/g-s1-51732/anora-indie-film-best-picture-oscars-2025 Oscars best picture 'Anora' is an indie film – what does that mean? : NPR]
  • The Apprentice (2024)[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oct/05/apprentice-trump-movie-ali-abbasi 'I'm fine with people bashing us': inside the controversial Trump biopic|Biopics|The Guardian][https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/the-apprentice-movie-kickstarter-1235991544/ Why 'The Apprentice' Movie Needed a Kickstarter Campaign – The Hollywood Reporter]
  • Babes (2024)
  • The Brutalist (2024)[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-12-23/the-brutalist-producers-adrien-brody-trevor-matthews-nick-gordon 'The Brutalist' producers betting on a 3.5-hour Adrian Brody Indie - Los Angeles Times]
  • Civil War (2024)[https://movieweb.com/indie-movies-best-of-2024-so-far/ Best Indie Movies of 2024 (So Far) - MovieWeb]
  • Dìdi (2024)[https://deadline.com/2024/08/indie-film-box-office-strange-darling-between-the-temples-coraline-1236049872/ Indie Film Box Office: 'Strange Darling', 'Between The Temples' & 'Coraline' - Deadline]
  • A Different Man (2024)
  • Gasoline Rainbow (2024)[https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/gasoline-rainbow-review-ross-brothers-mubi-1235990884/ ‘Gasoline Rainbow’ Review: Five Zoomers Hit the Road to Put Off Growing Up in an Endearing, Semi-Improvised Indie - Variety]
  • His Three Daughters (2024)
  • I Saw the TV Glow (2024)[https://www.meer.com/en/81139-top-indie-films-of-2024-unveiling-this-years-best-gems Top indie films of 2024: unveiling this year's best gems|Meer][https://www.flickeringmyth.com/how-indie-horror-went-mainstream-in-2024/ How Indie Horror Went Mainstream in 2024|Flickering Myth][https://www.avclub.com/american-indie-film-shift-sundance-cannes-directors-fortnight Cannes' Directors' Fortnight: American indies' new proving ground|AV Club][https://www.indiewire.com/news/events/i-saw-the-tv-glow-impact-trans-community-1235098310/ 'I Saw the TV Glow' Team Talks Impact of Film on Trans Community|IndieWire]
  • The Last Showgirl (2024)[https://deadline.com/2025/01/indie-film-box-office-the-brutalist-a24-hard-truths-the-last-showgirl-1236254954/ Indie Film Box Office: A24 Turns 'The Brutalist' Into Event Cinema|IndieWire]
  • MaXXXine (2024)[https://screenrant.com/10-best-indie-movies-of-2024/ 10 Best Indies Movies Of 2024 - Screen Rant]
  • Nickel Boys (2024)
  • Priscilla (2024)
  • A Real Pain (2024)[https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2025/02/sundance-best-indie-movies-2025-preview/681595/ Sundance 2025: 10 Indie Movies to Watch Out For - The Atlantic]
  • The Substance (2024)
  • Thelma (2024)[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-07-28/-longlegs-thelma-and-indie-film-s-new-formula-for-success 'Longlegs,' 'Thelma' and Indie Film's New Formula for Success - Bloomberg]

List of notable directors of American independent cinema

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See also

References

{{reflist}}

Bibliography

  • Spike, Mike, Slackers, & Dykes: A Guided Tour Across a Decade of American Independent Cinema, John Pierson
  • A Killer Life, Christine Vachon
  • Down & Dirty Pictures, Peter Biskind
  • [https://www.amazon.com/Indie-American-Film-Culture/dp/0231144652/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1146QOXE5IBPT&keywords=indie+an+american+film+culture&qid=1671137386&sprefix=indie+an+american+cu%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-1 Indie: An American Film Culture], Michael Z. Newman Ph.D.
  • [https://books.google.com/books?id=7ibUEeJMNCYC American Independent Cinema], Geoff King
  • Enchanted Drawings: The History of Animation, Charles Solomon
  • [https://www.fabpress.com/nightmare-usa.html Nightmare USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents], Stephen Thrower

External links

  • [https://www.vulture.com/2007/10/indiewood_finally_figures_out.html Indiewood Finally Figures Out That Their Movies Are Depressing on Vulture]
  • [https://muse.jhu.edu/book/14685 Indie, Inc. on Project MUSE]
  • [https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/tag/10-indies-we-love/ 10 Indies We Love Archives on Film Independent]
  • [https://www.learner.org/series/american-cinema/the-edge-of-hollywood/ "The Edge of Hollywood" episode of American Cinema on Annenberg Learner]
  • [https://vimeo.com/131793306 BAM's Indie 80s trailer on Vimeo]
  • [https://siskelebert.org/?p=1678 Low-Budget, Independent Films, 1981 – Siskel and Ebert Movie Reviews]
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVRMy3n3Zh0 AFS Essential Cinema: The Original Indies: The Birth of American Independent Cinema on official YouTube channel]
  • [https://www.oscars.org/news/academy-presents-real-indies-close-look-orphan-films-new-york-october-31-and-november-1 The Real Indies: A Close Look at Orphan Films at Oscars.org]
  • [https://www.criterionchannel.com/american-independents American Independents on The Criterion Channel]

{{Cinema of the United States}}

{{Film genres}}

{{Independent production}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Independent Film}}

Category:Film genres

Category:Film and video terminology

Category:Independent animation

Category:Modern art

Category:Postmodern art

Category:Exploitation films