10 Best Indie Movies Of 2024

2024 was a big year for film, with blockbuster hits like Wicked and Gladiator II dominating the box office. However, many independent films also performed well with their worldwide releases, critical responses, and ability to garner substantial social media attention. In fact, many independent films of 2024 have performed well with a wide variety of audiences, becoming mainstream hits in a way indie films have historically not.

For example, MaxXxine and The Substance were theatrical hits, garnering $22 million and $57 million (via Box Office Mojo) in worldwide box office sales respectively. Not to mention, films like Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain and Sean Baker’s Anora are up for major nominations at the Golden Globes and drummed up substantial press attention during festival runs. Positive responses like these demonstrate that indies’ commitment to original, bold storytelling resonates with audiences seeking out something fresh.

10

I Saw The TV Glow

Directed By Jane Schoenbrun

I Saw the TV Glow Poster

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7.3/10

I Saw the TV Glow

PG-13
DramaHorror

I Saw the TV Glow is a horror film by writer-director Jane Schoenbrun, released in 2024. A young man named Owen is introduced to a late-night TV show that reflects their reality. As the two begin to bond over the series, it suddenly is canceled, causing Owen’s view of reality to shatter.

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Release Date

January 18, 2024

Runtime

100 Minutes

Cast

Justice Smith
, Brigette Lundy-Paine
, Danielle Deadwyler
, Fred Durst
, Helena Howard
, Ian Foreman

Director

Jane Schoenbrun

Writers

Jane Schoenbrun

I Saw the TV Glow is one of A24’s newest indie horror movie hits. The film, which came out at the beginning of the year in January 2024, follows the surrealist journey of high schooler, Owen (Justice Smith), who meets a classmate who introduces him to a mysterious late-night television program with connections to the supernatural.

This A24 horror thriller made a small dent in the theaters, catering to a smaller audience of fans of the horror genre and A24’s projects. However, the originality of I Saw the TV Glow helped it to garner a cult following. Such fans appreciated the I Saw The TV Glow‘s shocking ending, stunning visuals, complex plotline full of twists, and deeper meanings about identity and expression. Although the film has yet to earn any major nominations or awards, it was scored by critics and audiences did well, earning an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.

9

Longlegs

Directed By Oz Perkins

Longlegs 2024 Movie Poster

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7.8/10

Longlegs

R
HorrorThriller

Longlegs is a horror thriller film by writer-director Osgood Perkins. When FBI agent Lee Harker is assigned to a serial killer cold case, their investigation leads them down a rabbit hole riddled with disturbing discoveries and the occult at the center of it all. When the trail of evidence reveals a personal connection, it becomes a race against time to prevent another murder.

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Release Date

July 12, 2024

Runtime

101 Minutes

Cast

Maika Monroe
, Nicholas Cage
, Blair Underwood
, Alicia Witt
, Michelle Choi-Lee
, Dakota Daulby
, Lauren Acala
, Kiernan Shipka

Director

Oz Perkins

Writers

Oz Perkins

Longlegs is another popular indie horror film of 2024. This Neon film follows Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), an FBI agent with a dark past, who is assigned to a case about a mysterious killer with a strange look, “Longlegs,” who is involved in the world of the occult. As she dives deeper into the case, she learns more about his personal connection to her past. Longlegs made waves for a number of reasons, earning 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and generating a fair amount of buzz online.

Maika-Monroe-in-Longlegs-

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With a star-studded cast led by Nicolas Cage as “Longlegs,” the performances in this film are hard to forget. This, along with the haunting storyline and Lee Harker twist, drew audiences to theaters en masse, with $126,942,386 in worldwide box office sales. However, despite its success with audiences who were taken by its unique villain, the film only scored a 6.7/10 on IMDB and has not earned any major nominations or awards. Yet it hardly steels from it being a standout entry of 2024.

8

MaxXxine

Directed By Ti West

MaXXXine Film Poster

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6.3/10

MaXXXine

R
HorrorCrime

In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx lands her big break, but her rise to stardom is jeopardized by a mysterious killer targeting starlets. As the body count rises, secrets from Maxine’s past threaten to surface, intertwining her quest for fame with a deadly game of survival.

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Release Date

July 5, 2024

Runtime

103 Minutes

Director

Ti West

Writers

Ti West

Cast

Mia Goth
, Elizabeth Debicki
, Moses Sumney
, Michelle Monaghan
, Bobby Cannavale
, Lily Collins
, Halsey
, Giancarlo Esposito

MaxXine is the final installment of the popular A24 Ti West X trilogy. The film revisits Maxine Minx (Mia Goth), the popular heroine from X, who fans fell in love with back in 2022. A few years after the events of the original film, MaxXxine shows Maxine having finally made it as a Hollywood star in the 1980s. However, when a serial killer begins attacking fellow actors, Maxine’s dark past threatens to resurface.

Movie

Release Date

X

2022

Pearl

2022

MaxXxine

2024

It is no surprise that MaxXxine performed well theatrically, with $22,057,077 in international box office sales (Box Office Mojo). The film’s star-studded cast features performances from Halsey, Elizabeth Debicki, Lily Collins, and more. Not to mention, for fans of the trilogy, this third installment is a welcome follow-up to Maxine’s unfinished ending in the X film’s timeline. However, the film also saw only an average performance with critics and is yet to win any larger awards.

7

Love Lies Bleeding

Directed By Rose Glass

01669162_poster_w780.jpg

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Love Lies Bleeding

R
ActionCrimeThriller

Love Lies Bleeding is a 2008 thriller centered on a struggling young couple who unexpectedly acquire a stash of dirty money following a shootout in their apartment building. Their newfound fortune leads them into a dangerous game of survival and deception, challenging their relationship and moral boundaries.

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Release Date

January 15, 2008

Runtime

94 minutes

Cast

Brian Geraghty
, Jenna Dewan
, Christian Slater
, Craig Sheffer
, James Madio
, Jacob Vargas
, Tara Summers
, Lynn Dickison
, Suzanne Cortney
, DeAnn Gonzales
, Trina Siopy
, Ellen Treanor
, Kim Thrasher
, Chris Ashworth
, Dave Colon
, Frank Bond
, Dylan Kenin
, Gerald Brodin
, Josh Berry
, Luce Rains

Director

Keith Samples

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Love Lies Bleeding is another A24 of 2024 hit that premiered in theaters in March, showing how the indie giant truly dominates this aspect of cinema. The film, which stars Kristen Stewart as Lou, follows a gym manager who falls in love with a mysterious bodybuilder in her gym, Jackie (Katy M. O’Brian). However, when Lou’s criminal family becomes involved, their relationship is threatened.

Love Lies Bleeding features a series of impressive performances from the leads as well as supporting characters like Dave Franco and Ed Harris. Beyond the acting in the film, cinematography and VFX are woven seamlessly throughout to aid the fast-paced nature of the plot, which utilizes an experimental ending to tie Love Lies Bleeding together. It went on to win best feature film at the Berlin International Festival, as well as five other wins on the festival circuit. The film also performed well with audiences, earning 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

6

My Old Ass

Directed By Megan Park

01703310_poster_w780.jpg

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10

9.5/10

My Old Ass

R
ComedyDrama

My Old Ass follows Elliott, who encounters her future 39-year-old self during a transformative summer marked by introspection and discovery. Celebrating her 18th birthday, Elliott’s psychedelic experience prompts her to reevaluate her ideals on family and love as her older self offers sage advice and warnings.

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Release Date

September 13, 2024

Runtime

89 minutes

Cast

Aubrey Plaza
, Maisy Stella
, Percy Hynes White
, Maddie Ziegler
, Kerrice Brooks
, Maria Dizzia
, Alain Goulem
, Seth Isaac Johnson
, Carter Trozzolo

Director

Megan Park

Writers

Megan Park

My Old Ass is a heart-warming coming-of-age that hit the theaters in September, following teenager Ellie (Maisy Stella) who meets her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza) while high on a mushroom trip. When she begins to warn Ellie by revealing traumatic details from her adolescence, Ellie worries about how to fix her past. The film is a touching story that many can relate to and gained the coveted cult following while in theaters.

While My Old Ass was not necessarily a hit in theaters, its 90% Rotten Tomatoes audience score is a testament to its genius story-wise. Megan Park’s film touches on themes of young romance, loss, and the challenges of never-ending change in life. Online, the film has attracted an audience who appreciate it for its strong performances and unique take on the time-travel comedy.

5

Dìdi

Directed By Sean Wang

Dìdi (2024) - Poster

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Dìdi

R
ComedyDrama

During the summer before starting high school, 13-year-old Chris Wang navigates the complexities of adolescence in a Northern California suburb. As he experiments with skating, social media, and first crushes, he also grapples with family dynamics and the pressures of growing up as a Taiwanese American. The story explores Chris’s journey of self-discovery, filled with both humor and heartfelt moments, while highlighting the cultural and emotional challenges he faces​.

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Release Date

August 16, 2024

Runtime

94 Minutes

Cast

Izaac Wang
, Joan Chen
, Shirley Chen
, Zhang Li Hua
, Mahaela Park
, Raul Dial
, Aaron Chang
, Chiron Cillia Denk

Director

Sean Wang

Writers

Sean Wang

Dìdi is another coming-of-age that made waves this year due to its subject matter about the first-generation Asian-American experience and its relatable characters. The film centers around Chris (Izaac Wang), a young 13-year-old in 2008 who struggles to find his way as one of the only Taiwanese kids in his predominantly white town. Along the way, he learns about the importance of family, friendship, and standing up for oneself.

Dìdi is loosely based on the childhood of its director, Sean Wang, whose parents emigrated from Taiwan.

Sean Wang’s film performed well in the festival circuit, winning the Sundance U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and Special Jury Dramatic Ensemble Cast Award. Not to mention, the film scored 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.4/10 on IMDB. In the media, Dìdi caught attention for its advances in diversity and message about appreciating loving and supportive family members, and the struggles of being a first-generation child during adolescence. Furthermore, Leads Izaac Wang and Joan Chen deliver heartfelt performances as mother and son worth watching.

4

A Real Pain

Directed By Jesse Eisenberg

A Real Pain Official Poster

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A Real Pain

ComedyDrama

A Real Pain explores themes of identity and loss as two estranged families confront their shared and tumultuous pasts. Through intertwining narratives, the film delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the enduring impact of unresolved grief.

Release Date

January 20, 2024

Runtime

90 Minutes

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg
, Kieran Culkin
, Will Sharpe
, Jennifer Grey
, Kurt Egyiawan
, Liza Sadovy
, Daniel Oreskes
, Ellora Torchia
, Jakub Gąsowski
, Krzysztof Jaszczak
, Piotr Czarniecki
, Marek Kasprzyk

Director

Jesse Eisenberg

Writers

Jesse Eisenberg

Few films can capture the complicated but enduring love of a family as masterfully as A Real Pain. This indie film, directed by lead actor Jesse Eisenberg, follows two polar opposite cousins, David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin). The pair travels to Poland to learn more about the roots of their grandmother who has recently passed away. However, tensions boil between them and old dynamics complicate their journey.

A Real Pain has already performed well, earning 26 awards on its festival run, and is currently considered as a nominee for several awards at the Golden Globes. The film also performed well with audiences, earning 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6/10 on IMDB. For an indie film of its size, its $8 million international box office performance also proves its successful media attention. The heart of the film lies with Culkin and Eisenberg, whose family story, about the effects of generational trauma, is told with subtlety and compassion.

3

The Substance

Directed By Coralie Fargeat

The Substance (2024) Official Poster

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24

7.6/10

The Substance

R
HorrorDrama

Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth by creating a younger, more beautiful version of herself. But splitting time between her original and new body leads to horrifying consequences as her alternate self, Sue, begins to unravel her life in a disturbing body-horror descent.

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Release Date

September 20, 2024

Runtime

140 Minutes

Cast

Demi Moore
, Margaret Qualley
, Dennis Quaid
, Gore Abrams
, Hugo Diego Garcia
, Olivier Raynal
, Tiffany Hofstetter
, Tom Morton
, Jiselle Burkhalter
, Axel Baille
, Oscar Lesage
, Matthew Géczy
, Philip Schurer

Director

Coralie Fargeat

Writers

Coralie Fargeat

The Substance is arguably one of the biggest horror movie hits in the media this year. Its provocative subject lies around the pressures of aging and ageism that women face, especially within the entertainment industry. Demi Moore makes her return to the screen in this film as Elizabeth Sparkle, an aging female fitness celebrity who turns to a mysterious drug known as “the substance” to create a younger version of herself.

The Substance Margaret Qualley as Sue scared and on the floor

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This film earned one of the largest box office sales for indie films this year, with a turnout of $57 million. The Substance‘s audience score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes also proves its popularity among viewers as well. Its success translated to the festival circuit, where it was a nominee for the Cannes Film Festival’s, Palme d’Or award, and its 22 other wins. Fargeaut’s indie film is one of the most original and ambitious of the year, with a star-studded cast, creative visuals, and horrifying use of VFX to create The Substance’s grossest scenes.

2

Girls Will Be Girls

Directed By Shuchi Talati

Shuchi Talati’s international independent film, Girls Will Be Girls, is decidedly one of the best indie films of the year. This film focuses on the complicated experience of girlhood and womanhood in India due to its social politics over gender. Girls Will Be Girls touches on this through the lens of Mira (Preeti Panigrahi), a young teenager who navigates young romance, sexual expression, and a complicated relationship with her mother.

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Girls Will Be Girls

DramaRomance

Release Date

January 20, 2024

Runtime

118 minutes

Cast

Kani Kusruti
, Kajol Chugh
, Devika Shahani
, Jitin Gulati

Director

Shuchi Talati

While Girls Will Be Girls saw fewer box office profits than films like The Substance and MaxXxine, its performance with audience members is a testament to its well-written story and masterful acting performances. For example, its whopping 100% Rotten Tomatoes score projects the success of Talati’s storytelling. The film also won several notable awards, such as its Sundance Audience Awards for Best World Cinema Dramatic Film. Beyond its accolades, the subject matter of this film is as unique as it is important, highlighting the bond between mothers and daughters in South Asia.

1

Anora

Directed By Sean Baker

Anora Official Poster

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6/10

Anora

ComedyDramaRomance

Anora’s life takes a dramatic twist when she impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, catapulting her from the streets of Brooklyn to a world of opulence and scrutiny. As her new in-laws arrive with plans to dismantle the hasty union, Anora must navigate the cultural and social chasms between her past and her present. The film, directed by Sean Baker, masterfully blends sharp social commentary with heartfelt drama, painting a vivid picture of love, identity, and the unexpected consequences of a fairytale gone awry.

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Release Date

October 18, 2024

Runtime

139 Minutes

Cast

Mikey Madison
, Mark Eydelshteyn
, Karren Karagulian
, Yuriy Borisov
, Vache Tovmasyan
, Ivy Wolk
, Luna Sofía Miranda
, Ross Brodar
, Lindsey Normington
, Darya Ekamasova
, Emily Weider
, Alena Gurevich
, Masha Zhak
, Paul Weissman
, Charlton Lamar
, Aleksey Serebryakov
, Ella Rubin
, Vincent Radwinsky
, Michael Sergio
, Brittney Rodriguez
, Sophia Carnabuci
, Anton Bitter
, Zoë Vnak

Director

Sean Baker

Writers

Sean Baker

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Few indie films this year can boast the success of Sean Baker’s newest project Anora, a projected Oscar front-runner. Baker’s film has saturated the media due to its incredible characters and an eccentric story about a sex worker, Anora/Ani (Mikey Madison), who enters into a whirlwind romance and marriage with a young party boy who is a part of a powerful Russian family. Things go south for Anora when his family threatens to end the marriage.

imagery-from-Anora-1

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Though Anora is filled with zany hysterics that audience members love, its subject matter is darker, portraying the struggles of young sex workers who are taken advantage of due to public scorn and disapproval of their field of work. The film’s popularity in the media and in theaters is also due to its win at Cannes, earning the prestigious Palme d’Or award. With its fast-paced story full of twists, well-written characters, and gorgeous visuals, Anora is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Source: Box Office Mojo