Best Indie Movies

An independent film (or indie film) is a film initially produced without financing or distribution from a major movie studio. Often, films that receive less than 50% of their budget from major studio are also considered "independent." This list is a collection of the greatest Indie films of all time. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.

The Top Ten

1
Requiem For A Dream

Saw it really Great acting, really GREAT movie, must see!

Devastatingly true-to-life portrayal of the extremes of desire for the common man... It is capable of providing to inception of terror in the minds of most of the young public that passes of getting high as a culture.

It shows people who are essentially killing themselves and they would go through sickening lengths to continue to do so.

logblobo

More comments about Requiem For A Dream
2Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! / The world forgetting, by the world forgot / Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! / Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd. " -Alexander Pope. Need I say more?

This is absolutely my favorite movie in the entire world. I had to watch it in a film appreciation class my sophomore year of college and It was amazing.

Really beautiful, interesting movie. I totally could relate to the guy in this one.

More comments about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Juno
3Juno

how can you not like juno?

whatsitsname

4Garden State

The BEST indie movie ever made
It's flawless. The soundtrack fits like a glove. Acting is outstanding.

Simply amazing! The actors are great, the music is splendid, the photography is wonderful, and the scenario and dialogue are perfect. I've never seen a movie I love that much.

Heart warming, charming and beautiful Nathalie Portman combined with the best soundtrack a movie could have. I loved it the first time and every time I watch it again.

More comments about Garden State
Little Miss Sunshine
5Little Miss Sunshine

Such a beautiful, well-written script, and contains one of the best scenes in film history, delivered by Paul Dano

One of my favorites. Doesn't matter how many times I watch it. Never get bored.

6The Royal Tennenbaums

Best movie in this list. Not the most commercial one, but with the unique Wes Anderson style that makes this movie great.

Great Wes anderson movie! You got to love his style. Great acting by Mr. Wilson, and a good storyline. What would you expect more from a movie?

7Trainspotting

omg... pitch black comedy... at its best!!!

8Thumbsucker
9Closer

amazing performances by all and a storyline to tear your heart out. definetely a "must see!"

10Transamerica

-2I love the movie make me laugh and cry is just a good movie I can get tired of this trip of founding yourself amazing the fact that this happen in reality wow

-2Has to be one of the best movies I've seen because it's one of those films I can watch over and over again! Huffman and Zegers are very blievable in their roles and it portrays USA (the nature and the people) in a very real yet fascinating way. Makes me wanna go on a roadtrip of my own!

The Contenders

11Wristcutters - A Love Story

This movie is my favorite movie of all time, the idea of it is just mind blowing and makes you rethink things. Even though no one laughs in the movie it's quite funny (if you like dark humor) and even though the movie is a bit dark the end will make everyone who has a heart smile.

Such a wonderful movie. It made me feel so much and it's such a great story with great actors. One I'd would try to make everyone I know watch. I could watch it over and over again.

Did not like Wristcutters. A far superior film is 'The Troublesome Man' which covers much of the same territory in a much better way.

More comments about Wristcutters - A Love Story
12Slumdog Millionare

I am an Indian. I like the storyline of the movie. It simply represents the dark sides of slums in India.

This won the best picture award! Definitely one of the greatest, most inspiring masterpieces to every hit the big screen.

the-dude-2000

13(500) Days of Summer

The "Expectations vs Reality" scene with the split-screen is honestly the best scene I have ever watched.

Beautiful movie! One of the best I've ever seen! Could make a person feel so many emotions, was hilarious, romantic and just amazing!

Great music. Great story. Great actors. Just simply an amazing film! I could honestly say its my favorite movie!

More comments about (500) Days of Summer
14Rushmore

So quirky, great soundtrack, interesting characters, and Bill Murray in one of his finest performances.

Fantastic film about troubled a teen

15Third on a Match

One of the best Independent films to come along! Great acting!

Paolo2thepeople

Amazing story! Will bring a ear to any eye!

apn9988

16Eraserhead
17Once

One of the best movies I have ever seen. So honest. And the soundtrack was amazing, had to be, considering it starred two musicians. I would definitely rate it higher.

Once is a beautiful movie with real human emotion and spectacular music. It truly blew me away. Steven Spielberg said "A little movie named Once gave me enough inspiration for the rest of the year."

18The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

An amazing and underrated film. With a star studded lineup, witty dialogue, and genius situational comedy this movie could easily be your new favorite.

19The House of Mirth

A really great movie with an outstanding gillian anderson!

Gillian Anderson and Laura Linney are superb in it.

A Terence Davies Masterpiece

20High Fidelity

This movie is great, definitely John Cusack's finnest as an neurotic record store owner, just amazing!. And you've got to love Jack Black in his role

21Harold and Maude

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Between the soundtrack, theme and humor, this movie will always entertain you - no matter how many times you watch it.

An amazing movie with a great moral-it doesn't matter what age you are to love.

22Eagle vs. Shark

Excellent comedy. Please see it. It has Jermaine from Flight of the Concords.

So hilarious and heartwarming.

23The Bully

A great movie! Everyone should see

24King of New York
25Gummo

So brutally honest, yet surreal in so many ways. Korine is a genius. Such an amazing movie about such a nihilistic town.

26Thirteen

+1This movie, even though may be a bit much is a great movie to teach young girls about teenager hood which isn't what it's cracked up to be. It really is a greta film.

-1Was a good movie... a lot of teens have gone through things like that before... and it can also show teens that havn't been through that... not to do drugs or anything eles like that xXx

kassybaby133

27Home Room
28Blue Velvet

+1Surreal and a masterpiece. A Great Mystery, thriller by David Lynch with a story you might have never come acros

29Tadpole
30Dakota Skye

good story line! not like the other overdone "lovey-dovey "movies. it's better described as an intriguing love interest.

Awesome characters! Totally engaging movie! One of my all time favorites.

watch the movie
it's great

lala12345

31Donnie Darko

One of the greatest movies I've ever seen. You go through the movie believing that Donnie is crazy and in the end everyone else is in the wrong. Must see.

Time travel at best. Donnie Darko is my favorite movie of all time. It has a shocking ending and keeps you wanting more. It is a must see if you enjoy a creepy mind thrill. You wont be able to watch it just once. Trust me.

32The Tracker
33Bad Lieutenant
34Junebug
35Bully

great movie. Honestly raw and gritty. From the same director of "Kids. " I suggest you watch this one.

36Killer of Sheep
37Jackie Brown
38Clay Pigeons

One of the greatest black comedies, ever!

Joaquin Phoenix, Vince Vaughn, and Janeane Garofalo are the name actors, but every performance deserves mention. The writing and direction are inspired.

I'll just say, you will never see another movie slattern to match Georgina Cates' performance, and watch for Phil Morris, as Agent Reynard, trying to get some down time, for embroidery and an episode of Lassie.

39Wanda
40The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
41Til' Death Do Us Part
42The Passion of the Christ
43Pulp Fiction

Pulp Fiction is one the grestest films ever made.
Quentin Tarantino is one of the best screenwriter/directors.
There's no way Pulp Fiction isn't top 10.

44American History X
45Inland Empire
46Punishment Park
47The Station Agent

One of the best indies ever made. Light on dialogue, but there is a LOT going on here. It's about the problem of being human.

jcebbing

48Psycho
49Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
50One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
51Clerks
52Outsourced
53Still Green

I think that this was a really good movie and not many people have seen it or even heard of it... I'v seen it like a million times and still loved it... I think that ryan kelley was brilliant in this movie... I give this indie film A 10/10 loved it xXx

kassybaby133

54Se7en
55Memento
56Down to the Bone
57Session 9
58The Million Dollar Hotel
59Mad Max
60Leon: The Professional
61Dr. Strangelove
62Apocalypse Now
63Napoleon Dynamite
64Anderson's Cross

Amazing truly independent movie. Perfect blend of drama and comedy. And from someone in the Judd Apatow family! Joanna Cassidy is still as beautiful as ever. Michael Warren is amazing. Joyce Guy will break your heart. Add to that that the guy who plays the son (Jerome Elston Scott)wrote and directed it and you've got independence at its best.

moviefan1982

65Larry Keel: Beautiful Thing
66Buffalo 66
67Pi
68Julien Donkey-Boy
69Coming Apart
70The Usual Suspects
71Service With a Smile
72Half Nelson
73Leaving Las Vegas
74Caught
75Winter's Bone
76Brokeback Mountain

Optional - Explain why you think your addition should be included in this list

New Item:

Comments:


Comments About This List