Independent films, or “indie films”, have become increasingly popular over the past few decades. As major studios focus more on big-budget blockbusters, indie films provide a platform for lower-budget productions outside the studio system. Some of the most acclaimed and influential films in recent years have actually been indie films made on relatively small budgets. And, the accessibility of the best free video editor software has made it easier than ever for aspiring filmmakers to craft high-quality indie films on a budget. As indie films continue to break out, these free editor options help mitigate production costs. Here is a look at some of the biggest and most successful indie films over the years.
Early Independent Filmmaking
Independent films started to gain attention in the 1970s and 80s as filmmakers like John Cassavetes pioneered new low-budget production and distribution models. Films like Cassavetes’ Faces (1968) and A Woman Under the Influence (1974) were gritty, intimate character studies rather than big flashy productions. Other filmmakers like George Lucas also got their start in indie film before transitioning to major studio projects.
However, independent films started to really enter the mainstream in the late 1980s and 1990s with the rise of popular indie directors like Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino, and the Coen Brothers. Their unique directing styles and emphasis on character-driven stories appealed to audiences looking for something different from typical Hollywood fare. Indie films proved they could be just as compelling and successful as major studio films.
Breakthrough Hits in the 1990s
Several indie films in the 1990s achieved huge commercial success and helped demonstrate the mainstream appeal of independent cinema. A few major examples include:
Pulp Fiction (1994) – Quentin Tarantino’s stylized and nonlinear crime film became a pop culture phenomenon. Made for just $8 million, it earned over $200 million worldwide.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) – One of the first viral hits and “found footage” horror films, The Blair Witch Project cost only $60,000 to make but earned a whopping $248 million worldwide.
Shakespeare in Love (1998) – Despite its modest $25 million budget, this period romantic comedy upset major studio films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
These massive indie hits proved low budget films could compete with major studios. Independent filmmaking was now a viable pathway to huge success in Hollywood.
Indie Films of the 2000s
Building on earlier breakthroughs, indie films continued to flourish in the 2000s. Directors like Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, and Christopher Nolan made their mark with unique indie films that offered fresh visions compared to blockbuster studio franchises:
Memento (2000) – Christopher Nolan’s reverse-chronology thriller was a sleeper hit, earning over $39 million on a $9 million budget.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – This quirky comedy about a dysfunctional family took home over $100 million worldwide and had several major award nominations.
Juno (2007) – Featuring whip-smart dialogue and an iconic lead performance from Ellen Page, Jason Reitman’s Juno became both a critical darling and commercial hit.
By telling smaller, character-focused stories, these indie films resonated strongly with audiences despite their modest budgets and lack of star power. Their success paved the way for more indie filmmakers to get noticed.
Indie Films Today
In the 2010s and beyond, indie films continue to thrive by embracing unique subjects and filmmaking styles. Recent acclaimed indie hits include:
The King’s Speech (2010) – This historical drama earned over $414 million globally and won Best Picture at the Oscars.
Get Out (2017) – Jordan Peele’s provocative horror film earned $255 million on just a $4.5 million budget.
Lady Bird (2017) – Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut was a critical smash and earned $78 million worldwide.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) – An absurdist sci-fi action film made for just $25 million, it’s become A24’s highest grossing release ever.
While indie films sometimes struggle to compete with big studio tentpoles, they continue to release some of the most compelling and original films each year by embracing bold creative visions. Their influence remains essential to the vitality of the film industry.
The Enduring Legacy of Indie Film
As this overview shows, indie films have repeatedly subverted expectations and achieved mass success over the past few decades. Their ability to take creative risks and tell unique stories on modest budgets has allowed independent cinema to thrive and evolve alongside big-budget studio productions.
From ultra-low budget horror to prestige Oscar winners, indie films come in all shapes and sizes. But they share a spirit of innovation and artistic vision that continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and audiences. Even as major studios dominate the box office charts, indie cinema remains vital by offering diverse perspectives and pushing the medium forward. The legacy of independent film seems poised to grow even stronger in the decades to come.
