30 Best Underrated Indie Films to Watch

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.

30. Eddie The Eagle

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Dexter Fletcher

Year released: 2015

Box office earnings: $46.2 million

Bottom Line: Eddie The Eagle

This comedy drama is based on the true story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards. Eddie was disabled as a boy but overcame his handicap to become a ski-jumper and take part in the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada.

The movie tells the story of Eddie’s determination to find a coach and persuade the Olympic Committee to allow him to join the English team. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 81 percent, calling it “delightful and positive” with a “strong cast [and] good script.”

Watch now: Eddie the Eagle, $3.80 to rent

29. Following

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Year released: 1998

Box office earnings: $48,482

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

28. The World’s Fastest Indian

Genre: Biopic, Drama

Directed by: Roger Donaldson

Year released: 2005

Box office earnings: $18.3 million

Bottom Line: The World’s Fastest Indian

Based on a true story, “The World’s Fastest Indian” tells the story of Burt Munro, a man from New Zealand, who spent many years rebuilding his 1920 Indian motorcycle to make it faster. In the 1960s, he took his bike to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where he set the world land speed record. 

Critics gave the film an overall score of 82 percent, calling it “a sweet, heartbreaking road trip film” and a “wonderfully uplifting and charming biopic.”

Watch now: The World's Fastest Indian, $3.99 to rent, free with a Dox or Magnolia Selects subscription 

27. the Motorcycle Diaries

Genre: Biopic, Drama

Directed by: Walter Salles

Year released: 2004

Box office earnings: $57.7 million

Bottom Line: The Motorcycle Diaries

Apparently, biopics about motorcycles are a surefire hit in the indie film world. “Motorcycle Diaries” is the true story of a four-month road trip that Ernesto “Che” Guevara took through South America with his friend and fellow medical student Mial in 1952.

The future revolutionary Guevara found his life purpose during the trip after meeting a group of Communists and would go on to become a major figure in the Cuban Revolution. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 83 percent, calling it “a thought-provoking film” and “beautiful, with strong acting, breathtaking location cinematography and a vibrant story.”

Watch now: The Motorcycle Diaries, $3.99 to rent, $4.99 to buy

26. Talk To Me

Genre: Biopic

Directed by: Kasi Lemmons

Year released: 2007

Box office earnings: $4.8 million

Bottom Line: Talk To Me

“Talk to Me” is a biopic about Petey Green, who was a popular DJ and radio personality in Washington, D.C., in the 1960s.

Green was an ex-con who became a community activist and a popular voice on the D.C. airwaves. He addressed issues of race and power in America with biting humor, straight-talking and a refusal to back down on controversial topics. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 83 percent, calling it a “radio drama of flamboyance, fury and finesse” and “human and lively.”

Watch now: Talk to Me, $3.60 to rent, free with a Cinemax subscription

25. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Genre: Crime, Comedy

Directed by: Shane Black

Year released: 2005

Box office earnings: $15.8 million

Bottom Line: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

This comedic crime film pays homage to film noir classics from the 1930s. The story is about a small-time thief, Harry Lockhart, who is posing as an actor and gets caught up in a murder investigation. He goes on the run with a private investigator, who is also his acting coach. 

The film relaunched Robert Downey Jr.’s movie career after he was sidelined because of his drug addiction. Critics gave this film an overall score of 86 percent, calling it “dark, witty and wittingly funny” and “a film that is unjustly ignored.”

Watch now: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, $3.99 to rent

24. The Nightingale

Genre: Historical Drama, Thriller

Directed by: Jennifer Kent

Year released: 2018

Box office earnings: $909,847

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

23. Boy

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Taika Waitit

Year released: 2012

Box office earnings: $8.6 million

Bottom Line: Boy

“Boy” tells the story of a Maori youth in New Zealand who lives with his grandmother and dreams about meeting his hero, Michael Jackson, and having adventures.

When his father returns from serving time in jail, looking for a bag of stolen money, the boy has to face the truth about who his father really is. 

“Boy” was the top-grossing film of all time in New Zealand. Critics gave this film an overall score of 88 percent, calling it “a beautiful film” and “heartwarming.”

Watch now: Boy, $4.99 to rent, free with a Fandor, Sundance Now or AMC+ subscription

22. Hereditary

Genre: Horror

Directed by: Ari Aster

Year released: 2018

Box office earnings: $80.2 million

Bottom Line: Hereditary

“Hereditary” is a horror film about a family with dark supernatural secrets in its past. When artist and model-maker Annie’s mentally ill mother dies, Annie and her children begin to experience strange visions and supernatural manifestations that hint at the family’s dark past.

As the visions continue and further tragedy strikes the family, a traumatic history involving witchcraft and summoning demons is revealed. 

Critics gave it an overall score of 89 percent, calling it “the best horror movie of the year” and “dark and disturbing.”

Watch now: Hereditary, $3.99 to rent, free with a Showtime subscription

21. The Magdalene Sisters

Genre: Historical Drama

Directed by: Peter Mullen

Year released: 2002

Box office earnings: $21 million

Bottom Line: The Magdalene Sisters

Based on real events, “The Magdalene Sisters” follows the lives of three women in Ireland in 1964. All three gave birth out of wedlock and were considered “fallen women.”

They were committed to a prison-like asylum run by an order of nuns and forced to labor in the workhouse laundry. The trio bonded, becoming friends, and plotted their escape. 

Critics gave the film an overall score of 91 percent, calling it a “riveting piece of drama about a forgotten slice of history” and “touching, potent and incredibly human.”

Watch now: The Magdalene Sisters, watch with a Paramount+ subscription

20. The Assistant

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Kitty Green

Year released: 2019

Box office earnings: $1.3 million

Bottom Line: The Assistant

“The Assistant” tells the story of one day in the life of a woman who is an assistant to a powerful figure in the entertainment world.

The film was based on hundreds of interviews with real assistants and gives a critical view of sexual harassment in the workplace as well as the culture of complicity that can go along with it. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 92 percent and said the movie was “compelling” and “a thoughtful study of power and complicity.”

Watch now: The Assistant, $3.80 to rent

19. Another Round

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Thomas Vinterberg

Year released: 2020

Box office earnings: $7.9 million

Bottom Line: Another Round

“Another Round” follows four middle-aged male teachers who decide to participate in an experiment in drinking every day and maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood.

At first, the experiment is successful, and the four men feel rejuvenated in their careers and personal lives. However, as the experiment continues, issues arise around alcohol abuse and midlife crises. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 92 percent and called it a “hymn to life” and “fresh and unique and compelling.”

Watch now: Another Round, $4.99 to rent

18. Frances Ha

Genre: Comedy

Directed by: Noah Baumbach

Year released: 2012

Box office earnings: $11.3 million

Bottom Line: Frances Ha

Frances, the movie’s title character, is spontaneous, carefree and refuses to grow up. She dreams of being a dancer, but the closest she can get is being an apprentice for a dance company.

Over the course of the film, Frances manages to lose both her boyfriend and her best friend, but she won’t give up on her dreams. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 92 percent calling it “a rare and wonderful film” and “funny, sad and bittersweet.”

Watch now: Frances Ha, $13.65 to buy, free with an IFC Films, AMC+ or Showtime subscription

17. Fyre

Genre: Documentary

Directed by: Chris Smith

Year released: 2019

Box office earnings: N/A

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

16. The Squid and the Whale

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Noah Baumbach

Year released: 2005

Box office earnings: $11.2 million

Bottom Line: The Squid and the Whale

“The Squid and The Whale” tells the story of a family living in New York City in the 1980s going through a divorce and the effect it has on the two teenage sons.

Each son backs a different parent, and the mother’s career takes off after the divorce, leading to tensions in the now-divided family. 

Critics gave the film an overall score of 92 percent, calling it a “disarmingly funny film” and “a simple, but engrossing parable.”

Watch now: The Squid and the Whale, $3.60 to rent, free with a Sundance Now or AMC+ subscription

15. Babyteeth

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Shannon Murphy

Year released: 2019

Box office earnings: $1 million

Bottom Line: Babyteeth

“Babyteeth” is a coming-of-age film about a terminally ill teenager, Milla, who falls in love with a drug dealer.

While Milla wants a chance to explore love and relationships in the limited time left to her, her parents object to her choice as they deal with their own grief at the imminent loss of their daughter. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 93 percent and said the film was “raw, sensitive, astute and arresting” and “an incredibly poignant film.”

Watch now: Babyteeth, $3.60 to rent, $5.99 to buy

14. Bad Education

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Cory Finley

Year released: 2019

Box office earnings: N/A

Bottom Line: Bad Education

Broadcast on HBO, “Bad Education” is based on the true story of the largest embezzlement of public school funds in U.S. history.

After a student newspaper reporter finds discrepancies in the school budget for the district of Roslyn, New York, the popular area superintendent and his staff become the prime suspects in the theft of a large amount of money. 

Critics gave the film an overall score of 94 percent, calling it “well-crafted,” “a gripping embezzlement drama” and “one of the finest movies of the year.”

Watch now: Bad Education, $3.80 to rent, free with HBO subscription

13. Blindspotting

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Carlos Lopez Estrada

Year released: 2018

Box office earnings: $5 million

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

12. The Station Agent

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Tom McCarthy 

Year released: 2003

Box office earnings: $8.7 million

Bottom Line: The Station Agent

“The Station Agent” is a story of three misfits who are thrown together and teach each other the real meaning of friendship and community.

When a man born with dwarfism loses his only friend, he moves to an abandoned train station in New Jersey. Although he wishes to be alone, he winds up meeting an artist who has her own tragedy and a zany hot dog vendor. 

Critics gave the film an overall score of 94 percent, calling it “a quiet joy with breathtaking performances” and “a pleasurably quaint tale.”

Watch now: The Station Agent, $4.20 to rent

11. Mary and Max

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Directed by: Adam Elliot

Year released: 2009

Box office earnings: $1.7 million

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

10. You Can Count On Me

Genre: Family Drama

Directed by: Kenneth Lonergan

Year released: 2000

Box office earnings: $11 million

Bottom Line: You Can Count On Me

“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

9. Archipelago

Genre: Family Drama

Directed by: Joanna Hogg

Year released: 2010

Box office earnings: N/A

Bottom Line: Archipelago

“Archipelago” centers around a reserved English family on holiday together in the Scilly Isles, a small chain of islands off Cornwall, England. The son, Edward, has quit his job and plans to go traveling around the world. His decision brings long-simmering family tensions to the surface. 

Actor Tom Hiddleston has since become well-known for his role as Loki in the Marvel films. Critics gave this film a score of 96 percent, calling it a “sad, funny, wise film” and a “sharply observed and excruciatingly honest exploration of family relationships.”

Watch now: Archipelago, $2.99 to rent

8. Blue Ruin

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Directed by: Jeremy Saulnier

Year released: 2013

Box office earnings: $993,313

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

7. First Cow

Genre: Historical Drama

Directed by: Kelly Reichardt

Year released: 2019

Box office earnings: $351,017

Bottom Line: First Cow

“First Cow” is set on the American frontier in the Oregon territory in the early 1800s. Two Chinese immigrants form a friendship and set up a baking business together using milk stolen from the only local cow.

The two face obstacles of class imbalance, colonialism and a lack of money in their pursuit of the American Dream. 

Critics gave this film a score of 96 percent and said it was a “lyrical, beautifully performed and gently engrossing ballad” and a “beautifully majestic piece of work.”

Watch now: First Cow, $4.99 to buy

6. What We Do in the Shadows

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mockumentary

Directed by: Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi

Year released: 2014

Box office earnings: $7 million

Bottom Line: What We Do in the Shadows

“What We Do in the Shadows” is a spoof on vampire horror films. The film, in a mockumentary style, follows the adventures of three roommates, Viago, Deacon and Vladislav, who also happen to be immortal vampires.

The trio have to deal with real-world issues such as paying rent, roommate conflicts and sharing chores, while also finding victims to feed on and avoiding sunlight. 

Critics gave the film an overall score of 96 percent and called it an “endlessly entertaining mockumentary” and a “flat-out hilarious comedy.”

Watch now: What We Do in the Shadows, $4.20 to rent

5. Hunt for the WIlderpeople

Genre: Comedy, Adventure

Directed by: Taika Waititi

Year released: 2016

Box office earnings: $23.2 million

Bottom Line: Hunt for the Wilderpeople

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is about a couple in rural New Zealand, Bella and Hector, who become foster parents to Ricky, a juvenile delinquent whose mother abandoned him.

When Bella dies, Child Services decide they will send Ricky to an orphanage. He runs away into the wilderness, and Hector goes looking for him. The authorities mount a massive manhunt for the pair. 

Critics gave it an overall score of 97 percent, calling it a “unique adventure film” and “funny, exciting and deeply moving.”

Watch now: Hunt for the Wilderpeople, $4.20 to rent

4. Rocks

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Sarah Gavron

Year released: 2019

Box office earnings: $598,859

Bottom Line: Rocks

“Rocks” is about an English teenager, Shola, who lives with her mother and brother in a public housing unit in London.

After her mother abandons them, Shola must take care of her little brother on her own, while also dealing with school and the authorities. Her circle of teen friends tries to help and support her. 

Critics gave this film an overall score of 97 percent and called it “authentic, human and deeply humane” and “beautiful and heart-wrenching.”

Watch now: Rocks, free with Netflix subscription

3. The Wrestler

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

Year released: 2008

Box office earnings: $44.7 million

Bottom Line: The Wrestler

“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

2. Miss Juneteenth

Genre: Family Drama

Directed by: Channing Godfrey Peoples

Year released: 2020

Box office earnings: $105,908

Bottom Line: Miss Juneteenth

A single Black mother in Texas pushes her daughter to participate in a local beauty pageant that she herself once won. The top prize is a full college scholarship, and the mother is determined that her daughter will win it, but the girl rebels against living her mother’s unfulfilled dreams. 

Critics gave this debut film by writer and director Peoples an overall score of 99 percent, saying that it contains “high-caliber acting,” a “well-developed mother-daughter story” and “nuanced and authentic performances.” 

Watch now: Miss Juneteenth, $3.99 to rent (free with BET+ subscription)

1. Saint Frances

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: Alex Thompson

Year released: 2019

Box office earnings: N/A

Bottom Line: Saint Frances

“Saint Frances” is about a 30-something woman, Bridget, who wants to be a writer but is drifting through life.

She finds herself pregnant after having a casual relationship with a younger man. After deciding she isn’t ready for motherhood, Bridget has an abortion and takes a job as a nanny to six-year-old Frances. The two form an unlikely friendship. 

Critics gave the film an overall score of 99 percent and said the movie was “smart and original” and “effortlessly real and charming.”

Watch now: Saint Frances, $4.99 to rent (Free with STARZ subscription)