List Of All Indie Movies

All Genre Movies Lists
Updated April 25, 2024 100.2K views 135 items

An independent films list. Every indie movie listed can be sorted by title, actor, and year. This list of all indie movies is diverse and covers every genre of independent movie. Feel free to import this list and make your own ranker list of indie films. Also, if you like indie movies, you might also like some equally cool indie folk bands.

What are some examples of indie movies? For starters, some of the greatest movies of all time are indie movies. That said, those films include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Chasing Amy and Brokeback Mountain. All of these are considered some of the best of their genre and certainly among the best indie films. 
  • 21 Grams

    21 Grams

    Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Naomi Watts
    In a film that plays with the idea of straightforward storytelling, a group of troubled people find that they are linked in unpredictable ways. Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) is an academic dealing with a terminal heart condition, but his life is changed by a car crash that seems unrelated to his ailment. The traffic accident, involving ex-con Jack Jordan (Benicio del Toro) and the husband of Cristina Peck (Naomi Watts), is one that ruins lives but ultimately also resurrects them.
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  • 2001: A Space Odyssey

    2001: A Space Odyssey

    Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester
    In Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and his crew embark on a mysterious journey to Jupiter, guided by their ship's artificially intelligent computer, HAL 9000 (voiced by Douglas Rain). This epic science fiction masterpiece, which won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, explores themes of evolution, technology, artificial intelligence and the unknown. The movie is renowned for its realistic depiction of space travel and innovative special effects, providing a visually stunning cinematic experience that captivated audiences worldwide.
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  • A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

    A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

    Robert Downey, Shia LaBeouf, Chazz Palminteri
    Dito Montiel (Robert Downey Jr.), a successful author, receives a call from his long-suffering mother (Dianne Wiest), asking him to return home and visit his ailing father. Dito recalls his childhood growing up in a violent neighborhood in Queens, N.Y., with friends Antonio (Channing Tatum), Giuseppe, Nerf and Mike.
  • A Man for All Seasons

    A Man for All Seasons

    Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles
    When the highly respected British statesman Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) refuses to pressure the Pope into annulling the marriage of King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) and his Spanish-born wife, More's clashes with the monarch increase in intensity. A devout Catholic, More stands by his religious principles and moves to leave the royal court. Unfortunately, the King and his loyalists aren't appeased by this, and press forward with grave charges of treason, further testing More's resolve.
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  • A Mighty Wind

    A Mighty Wind

    Bob Balaban, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins
    In this hilarious backstage mockumentary, three eclectic, never-quite-famous folk bands come together for the first time in decades following the death of their manager to put on an reunion concert in his honor, at the request of his son (Bob Balaban). For the members of The Folksmen, The New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey, time has not been kind. As the show approaches, apprehension sets in, romances are rekindled and ambitions are permanently deferred.
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  • A Woman Under the Influence

    A Woman Under the Influence

    Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Katherine Cassavetes
    Mabel Longhetti (Gena Rowlands), desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick (Peter Falk). Increasingly unstable, especially in the company of others, she craves happiness, but her extremely volatile behavior convinces Nick that she poses a danger to their family and decides to commit her to an institution for six months. Alone with a trio of kids to raise on his own, he awaits her return, which holds more than a few surprises.
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  • Aisha and Rahul

    Aisha and Rahul

    Jas Dhanda, Zahir Gilani, Mukesh Asopa
    Aisha and Rahul is the first film of Asopa Films Incorporation, Twinkle Productions and Asopa Films International. It was distributed on DVD by Asopa Films International and Celebrity Video Distribution.
  • Amadeus

    Amadeus

    F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Jones
    In the period drama Amadeus, we journey into the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce), a prodigious composer in 18th-century Vienna. The film also introduces us to Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a contemporary of Mozart, tormented by jealousy over Mozart's divine talent. This Oscar-winning biopic, directed by Milos Forman, explores themes of envy, genius, and the destructive power of obsession. Through Salieri's perspective, we witness Mozart's career bloom amidst personal downfall, creating a riveting narrative that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
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  • American Beauty

    American Beauty

    Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch
    American Beauty, a drama directed by Sam Mendes, unravels the life of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a depressed suburban father in the throes of a mid-life crisis. The narrative pivots around his infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend, Angela Hayes (Mena Suvari). His wife Carolyn (Annette Bening), an ambitious realtor, and their alienated daughter Jane (Thora Birch) are significant characters in this introspective tale. The film earned numerous accolades, including five Academy Awards. It explores themes of love, freedom and self-discovery amidst the mundanity of American suburban life.
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  • American History X

    American History X

    Ed Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk
    In American History X, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), a former neo-Nazi leader, struggles to prevent his younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), from going down the same path of hate he once walked. Directed by Tony Kaye, this riveting drama explores themes of racism and redemption against the backdrop of contemporary American society. The film's heart-wrenching narrative is punctuated by Norton's powerful performance, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. An important subplot involves a high school history assignment, which gives the movie its title and adds depth to its exploration of past influences on present actions.
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  • American Splendor

    American Splendor

    Paul Giamatti, Shari Springer Berman, Earl Billings
    Underground comic book writer Harvey Pekar, portrayed by Paul Giamatti but also appearing as himself, is the subject of this inventive biopic. Much of the film focuses on the eccentric Pekar's day-to-day life in Cleveland, particularly his relationship with his patient wife, Joyce Brabner (played by Hope Davis and also appearing as herself). As Pekar's musings are brought to the screen in this unique and engaging production, the movie playfully incorporates comic book-like panels.
  • Amores perros

    Amores perros

    Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Goya Toledo
    "Amores Perros" is a bold, intensely emotional, and ambitious story of lives that collide in a Mexico City car crash. Inventively structured as a triptych of overlapping and intersecting narratives, "Amores Perros" explores the lives of disparate characters who are catapulted into unforeseen dramatic situations instigated by the seemingly inconsequential destiny of a dog named Cofi.
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  • Apocalypse Now

    Apocalypse Now

    Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall
    Apocalypse Now, a war drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola, plunges its audience into the heart of darkness that is the Vietnam War. Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) receives an unorthodox mission to eliminate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a decorated officer who has allegedly gone rogue deep in the Cambodian jungle. Accompanied by a small crew aboard a patrol boat, Willard's journey evolves into an introspective odyssey filled with surreal encounters and moral ambiguity. The film garnered eight Academy Award nominations for its striking portrayal of war's madness, further solidifying Coppola's place among cinema's greats.
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  • Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Taylor Nichols, Chris Eigeman, Tushka Bergen
    During the 1980s, uptight Ted Boynton (Taylor Nichols) is a salesman working in the Barcelona office of a Chicago-based company. He receives an unexpected visit from his cousin Fred (Chris Eigeman), a naval officer who has come to Spain on a public relations mission for a U.S. fleet. Not exactly friends in the past, Ted and Fred strike up relationships with women in the Spanish city and experience conflicts -- Ted with his employer, and Fred with the Barcelona community.
  • Beautiful Girls

    Beautiful Girls

    Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Noah Emmerich
    An all-star cast sparks this captivating comedy about a group of old friends whose 10-year high school reunion creates some hilariously unexpected surprises. Willie (Timothy Hutton), Tommy (Matt Dillon), and Paul may have lost a bit of their youth, but they're still ready to party with Uma Thurman, Rosie O'Donnell, Lauren Holly, and Mira Sorvino -- the beautiful girls who've turned their lives upside down!
  • Before Sunrise

    Before Sunrise

    Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Erni Mangold
    In the romantic drama Before Sunrise, Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American, encounters Celine (Julie Delpy), a French woman, on a train in Europe. Struck by an inexplicable connection, they decide to disembark in Vienna. Unfolding over the course of one night, the film captures their deep conversations, flitting from philosophy to love to the meaning of life. It is a testament to director Richard Linklater's skill that this seemingly simple premise becomes a profound exploration of human connection. The movie was nominated for Best Screenplay at the 68th Academy Awards.
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  • Before Sunset

    Before Sunset

    Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff
    A sequel to "Before Sunrise," this film starts nine years later as Jesse (Ethan Hawke) travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy). After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. They are both in relationships now, and Jesse has a son, but as their strong feelings for each other start to return, both confess a longing for more.
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  • Being John Malkovich

    Being John Malkovich

    John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener
    In the quirky film Being John Malkovich, puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) stumbles upon a bizarre secret: a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich (played by himself). Schwartz's wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz), becomes obsessed with this surreal experience, leading to an unconventional love triangle involving Maxine (Catherine Keener), who exploits the portal for profit. Directed by Spike Jonze and penned by Charlie Kaufman, this dark comedy-drama delves into themes of identity and consciousness. It snagged three Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film is a unique exploration of celebrity culture, layered with philosophical undertones.
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  • Blair Witch Project

    Blair Witch Project

    Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard
    The Blair Witch Project, a found footage horror film, tells the story of three student filmmakers - Heather Donahue (Heather Donahue), Michael C. Williams (Michael C. Williams), and Joshua Leonard (Joshua Leonard). As part of an academic project, they venture into the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland to investigate the local legend of the Blair Witch. Equipped with cameras, they document their experiences, only to find themselves lost in the woods and increasingly terrorized by unseen entities. The low-budget movie, which cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality, became a cultural phenomenon upon its release and pioneered a new era of horror filmmaking.
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  • Blood Simple

    Blood Simple

    John Getz, Frances McDormand, M. Emmet Walsh
    "Blood Simple" was the first feature film from Joel and Ethan Coen. This is the newly restored and re-edited director's cut of the film, introduced by Mortimer Young. The stylish crime thriller premiered at film festivals in 1984. "Blood Simple" begins deep in the heart of Texas, where a jealous saloon owner hires a cheap divorce detective to kill the saloon owner's younger wife and her bartender lover. But the detective gets a better idea: he follows the two lovers, and...
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  • Boogie Nights

    Boogie Nights

    Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore
    In the vivid, pulsating world of 1970s California pornography, Boogie Nights tells the tale of Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg). A young man with big dreams and an even bigger talent, Eddie is discovered by industry veteran Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), who christens him 'Dirk Diggler'. As Dirk, Eddie ascends stardom's dizzying heights but soon learns that fame comes at a steep price. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this drama delves into the dark underbelly of the golden age of adult entertainment. The film earned three Oscar nominations, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Reynolds.
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  • Brokeback Mountain

    Brokeback Mountain

    Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini
    Brokeback Mountain, a captivating drama that's won three Academy Awards, is set against the sweeping landscapes of Wyoming and Texas. The film tells the story of two young men - Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). They first meet as sheepherders in summer 1963. Over time, they forge a deep bond that spans years, marked by complex emotions and societal constraints. Ang Lee's nuanced direction coupled with Larry McMurtry's adept screenplay transforms Annie Proulx's novella into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Amidst all its raw beauty and quiet intensity, Brokeback Mountain remains a poignant exploration of love and longing.
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  • Buffalo Soldiers

    Buffalo Soldiers

    Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn
    Set on an American Army base in 1989, as the Berlin Wall is about to fall, "Buffalo Soldiers" takes a satiric look as these men steal, drink, fight, and make, take, and sell drugs. Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) is the brains behind the operation, easily duping his superior (Ed Harris) and sleeping with his wife. But with the arrival of the new sergeant (Scott Glenn), everything changes. The sergeant cracks down; Elwood retaliates by dating his daughter and attempting a big weapons-for-drugs deal.
  • Campanadas a medianoche

    Campanadas a medianoche

  • Chasing Amy

    Chasing Amy

    Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Jason Lee
    Chasing Amy, a 90s romantic comedy-drama, delves into the complex world of love and friendship. It tells the tale of Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck), a comic book artist who falls in love with Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), a fellow artist. However, Alyssa's past relationships with women create a stumbling block for their romance. Directed by Kevin Smith, this film explores themes of sexual identity and unconventional love while offering sharp dialogue and memorable performances. The movie's originality was recognized when it won two Independent Spirit Awards.
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  • Compelling Evidence

    Compelling Evidence

    Brigitte Nielsen, Dana Plato, Melissa Moore
  • Confessions of a Sexist Pig

    Confessions of a Sexist Pig

    Lauren Graham, Michael Trucco, Traylor Howard
    Confessions of a Sexist Pig is a 1998 American independent romantic comedy starring Edward Kerr and Traylor Howard. It was directed and written by Sandy Tung. It won Best Feature Film at the New Orleans International Film Festival, and the Werner Fassbinder Award at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival.
  • Crash

    Crash

    Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon
    Crash, a potent drama directed by Paul Haggis, weaves together the lives of a diverse set of characters in Los Angeles. Racial tension is at the heart of this narrative, with each character - from the district attorney Rick (Brendan Fraser) and his prejudiced wife Jean (Sandra Bullock), to the hardworking locksmith Daniel (Michael Peña) - grappling with their own prejudices and stereotypes. A pivotal car accident links these disparate lives together, setting off a chain reaction of events that challenge their perspectives on race and humanity. This film won the 2006 Academy Award for Best Picture.
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  • Crimes and Misdemeanors

    Crimes and Misdemeanors

    Martin Landau, Woody Allen, Mia Farrow
    Judah (Martin Landau) is a philandering eye doctor who wants to preserve his marriage, and his dangerous brother Jack (Jerry Orbach) comes up with what appears to be the only viable solution. Certain that his mistress (Anjelica Huston) is about to tell his wife (Claire Bloom) about his affair, Judah agrees to Jack's murderous plan. Twinned with Judah's tale is that of Cliff Stern (Woody Allen), a documentary filmmaker whose problems, which involve love and art, are tame but funny.
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  • Cry Baby