40 Best Independent Films of the Last Decade

Independent films deliver raw, bold stories that often hit harder than big-budget fare. From intimate dramas to offbeat comedies, the past decade has given us indie gems that shine with heart and originality. Made outside the major studio system, these movies take chances that leave a lasting mark.

I’ve picked 40 of the best indie films from 2015, each a standout for its craft, emotion, or fresh voice. Here they are in no particular order, celebrating the diverse magic of indie cinema.

The Invitation (2015)

Karyn Kusama’s thriller follows Logan Marshall-Green at a tense dinner party hosted by his ex-wife. The slow-burn dread and cultish vibes build to a chilling climax. It earned $1 million on a tiny budget.

The sharp direction and unsettling atmosphere make it a standout. It’s a lean, gripping indie that keeps you guessing.

Tangerine (2015)

Sean Baker’s vibrant tale, shot on iPhones, tracks two trans sex workers, played by Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor, in LA. Its raw humor and energy pop. It grossed $900,000.

The groundbreaking style and authentic performances shine. It’s a bold, colorful snapshot of life on the margins.

The Witch (2015)

Robert Eggers’ debut stars Anya Taylor-Joy as a Puritan girl facing eerie forces in 1630s New England. The haunting visuals and creeping dread deliver. It made $40 million.

Its meticulous craft and chilling vibe set a new horror standard. It’s an indie gem that lingers.

Green Room (2015)

Jeremy Saulnier’s brutal thriller traps a punk band, led by Anton Yelchin, against Patrick Stewart’s neo-Nazis. The gory tension and tight pacing grip. It earned $3 million.

The raw performances and visceral stakes make it a standout. It’s a relentless indie thriller.

The D Train (2015)

Jack Black plays a man obsessed with a high school reunion, pulling in James Marsden’s washed-up actor. The dark comedy and bold twists surprise. It grossed $2 million.

Its quirky heart and unexpected depth shine. It’s a fun, offbeat indie comedy with bite.

Krisha (2015)

Trey Edward Shults’ debut stars Krisha Fairchild as a woman facing family demons at a tense Thanksgiving. The raw emotion and tight 81-minute runtime hit hard. It made $144,000.

The intimate camerawork and powerhouse lead make it unforgettable. It’s a gut-punch indie drama.

The Lobster (2015)

Yorgos Lanthimos’ bizarre dystopian comedy stars Colin Farrell in a world where singles must find love or become animals. Its deadpan humor and odd premise pop. It grossed $15 million.

The unique vision and sharp satire stand out. It’s a weird, brilliant indie gem.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

Paul Dano befriends a farting corpse, played by Daniel Radcliffe, in this surreal comedy. The wild premise and heartfelt bond surprise. It earned $5 million.

Its bold creativity and emotional core shine. It’s an indie oddball that’s strangely moving.

The Handmaiden (2016)

Park Chan-wook’s Korean thriller follows a conwoman and heiress in a twisty erotic tale. The lush visuals and intricate plot stun. It grossed $38 million.

Its bold storytelling and stunning craft make it a standout. It’s a seductive indie masterpiece.

American Honey (2016)

Andrea Arnold’s road drama follows Sasha Lane’s teen joining a wandering sales crew. The raw energy and vibrant cast, including Shia LaBeouf, spark. It made $2 million.

The immersive vibe and real feel shine. It’s a sprawling, heartfelt indie journey.

Moonlight (2016)

Barry Jenkins’ coming-of-age tale tracks Chiron’s life through three chapters, exploring identity and love. Mahershala Ali’s role and poetic visuals won three Oscars. It grossed $65 million.

Its emotional depth and groundbreaking voice make it a classic. It’s an indie triumph.

Lady Bird (2017)

Greta Gerwig’s debut stars Saoirse Ronan as a teen navigating family and dreams in Sacramento. The sharp humor and heart shine. It earned $78 million and five Oscar nods.

The authentic characters and tight script stand out. It’s a warm, witty indie gem.

The Florida Project (2017)

Sean Baker’s drama follows kids, led by Brooklynn Prince, living near Disney World. Willem Dafoe’s tender role grounds it. It grossed $14 million.

Its vibrant colors and raw emotion hit hard. It’s an indie stunner that captures childhood.

First Reformed (2017)

Paul Schrader’s drama stars Ethan Hawke as a pastor grappling with faith and despair. The stark visuals and intense tone grip. It made $4 million.

Hawke’s raw performance and bold themes shine. It’s a haunting indie meditation.

Hereditary (2018)

Ari Aster’s horror debut stars Toni Collette as a mom facing family trauma and dark forces. The chilling atmosphere and shocks terrify. It grossed $80 million.

Its emotional weight and terrifying craft make it a standout. It’s an indie horror landmark.

Eighth Grade (2018)

Bo Burnham’s debut follows Elsie Fisher as a shy teen navigating middle school. The raw humor and real feel connect. It earned $13 million.

Its authentic voice and tender heart shine. It’s a small but powerful indie gem.

The Favourite (2018)

Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark comedy stars Olivia Colman and Emma Stone in a royal power struggle. The sharp wit and bold visuals won an Oscar. It grossed $95 million.

Its wild energy and stellar cast stand out. It’s a wickedly fun indie period piece.

Shoplifters (2018)

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Japanese drama follows a makeshift family of thieves. The quiet emotion and subtle twists move you. It made $72 million.

Its heartfelt story and universal themes shine. It’s a tender indie masterpiece.

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Barry Jenkins’ romance follows Regina King and Teyonah Parris in a 1970s love story amid injustice. The lush visuals and emotion grip. It grossed $20 million.

Its poetic style and strong performances stand out. It’s a gorgeous indie drama.

Midsommar (2019)

Ari Aster’s folk horror stars Florence Pugh in a Swedish cult’s sunny nightmare. The bold visuals and creeping dread stun. It earned $48 million.

Its unique tone and emotional depth make it a standout. It’s an indie horror classic.

The Lighthouse (2019)

Robert Eggers’ black-and-white tale stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as isolated lighthouse keepers. The surreal vibe and wild performances pop. It made $18 million.

Its bold craft and intense energy shine. It’s a weird, gripping indie gem.

Uncut Gems (2019)

The Safdie brothers’ thriller follows Adam Sandler’s jeweler in a high-stakes gamble. The relentless pace and chaos grip. It grossed $50 million.

Sandler’s raw performance and tense vibe stand out. It’s an indie adrenaline rush.

Parasite (2019)

Bong Joon-ho’s dark comedy follows a poor family conning a rich one. The sharp twists and class commentary won four Oscars. It earned $258 million.

Its flawless script and universal appeal make it a classic. It’s an indie game-changer.

Knives Out (2019)

Rian Johnson’s whodunit stars Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas in a twisty murder mystery. The witty script and ensemble shine. It grossed $311 million.

Its clever fun and sharp pacing stand out. It’s a crowd-pleasing indie hit.

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Taika Waititi’s satire follows a boy, played by Roman Griffin Davis, with an imaginary Hitler. The bold humor and heart move you. It made $90 million.

Its unique tone and emotional core shine. It’s a daring indie gem.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Céline Sciamma’s French romance stars Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel as lovers in 1700s Brittany. The quiet passion and visuals stun. It grossed $10 million.

Its intimate story and gorgeous craft make it a standout. It’s a poetic indie love story.

Sound of Metal (2019)

Riz Ahmed plays a drummer losing his hearing in Darius Marder’s drama. The immersive sound and raw emotion grip. It earned $2 million and two Oscars.

Ahmed’s performance and bold sound design shine. It’s a powerful indie drama.

Minari (2020)

Lee Isaac Chung’s drama follows a Korean-American family, led by Steven Yeun, farming in Arkansas. The tender story and cast move you. It grossed $15 million.

Its heartfelt authenticity and quiet beauty stand out. It’s an indie treasure.

The Father (2020)

Florian Zeller’s drama stars Anthony Hopkins as a man facing dementia. Olivia Colman grounds the emotional puzzle. It won two Oscars and made $24 million.

Hopkins’ raw performance and clever structure shine. It’s a heartbreaking indie gem.

Nomadland (2020)

Chloé Zhao’s drama follows Frances McDormand as a woman living on the road. The quiet beauty and real nomads add depth. It won three Oscars and grossed $39 million.

Its poetic visuals and human story stand out. It’s an indie masterpiece.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Emerald Fennell’s thriller stars Carey Mulligan seeking justice with dark wit. The bold style and twists pop. It won an Oscar and made $18 million.

Mulligan’s fierce role and sharp script shine. It’s a fierce indie standout.

Another Round (2020)

Thomas Vinterberg’s Danish drama stars Mads Mikkelsen as a teacher experimenting with drinking. The lively tone and depth move you. It won an Oscar and grossed $21 million.

Its heartfelt story and Mikkelsen’s charm stand out. It’s a vibrant indie gem.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

The Daniels’ wild sci-fi comedy stars Michelle Yeoh in a multiverse adventure. The chaotic humor and heart won seven Oscars. It grossed $139 million.

Its bold creativity and emotional core shine. It’s an indie phenomenon.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as friends in conflict. The Irish setting and wit grip. It made $49 million.

The sharp performances and quiet tragedy stand out. It’s a poignant indie classic.

Aftersun (2022)

Charlotte Wells’ debut follows Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio as a father and daughter on vacation. The subtle emotion and visuals move you. It grossed $8 million.

Its tender heart and delicate craft shine. It’s a quiet indie gem.

Tár (2022)

Todd Field’s drama stars Cate Blanchett as a conductor facing downfall. The sharp writing and intense performance stun. It earned $29 million.

Blanchett’s commanding role and bold story stand out. It’s a powerful indie drama.

The Fabelmans (2022)

Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama follows Sammy, played by Gabriel LaBelle, chasing filmmaking dreams. The personal story and craft shine. It grossed $45 million.

Its heartfelt nostalgia and strong cast make it a standout. It’s a warm indie gem.

Past Lives (2023)

Celine Song’s debut follows Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in a quiet love story across years. The tender emotion and subtle visuals move you. It made $25 million.

Its intimate story and authentic heart shine. It’s a beautiful indie romance.

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Justine Triet’s French drama stars Sandra Hüller in a courtroom mystery. The sharp script and moral ambiguity grip. It won an Oscar and grossed $37 million.

Its clever storytelling and strong lead stand out. It’s a gripping indie thriller.

The Zone of Interest (2023)

Jonathan Glazer’s chilling drama follows a Nazi family near Auschwitz. The haunting sound design and cold visuals stun. It won two Oscars and made $52 million.

Its bold approach and unsettling power shine. It’s an indie masterpiece.

Which indie film is your favorite, or did I miss one you love? Share your thoughts in the comments!