10 best independent films of 2024

2024 was a big year for cinema, with box office hits like Evil and Gladiator II dominating the box office. However, many independent films have also performed well with their worldwide releases, critical responses, and ability to attract substantial attention on social media. In fact, many independent films of 2024 have performed well with a wide range of audiences, becoming mainstream hits in a way that independent films have historically not done.

For example, MaxXxine and The substance were theatrical successes, grossing US$22 million and US$57 million (via Mojo Box Office) in worldwide box office sales, respectively. Not to mention that films like Jesse Eisenberg's A real pain and Sean Baker anora are up for major nominations at the Golden Globes and have attracted substantial press attention during the festivals. Positive responses like these demonstrate that indies' commitment to original, bold storytelling resonates with audiences looking for something new.

10

I saw the glow of the TV

Directed by Jane Schoenbrun

I saw the glow of the TV is one of A24's newest independent horror film hits. The film, which premiered earlier this year in January 2024, follows the surreal journey of high school student Owen (Justice Smith), who meets a classmate who introduces him to a mysterious late-night television show with connections to the supernatural. . .

This A24 horror thriller made a small dent in theaters, catering to a smaller audience of fans of the horror genre and A24 projects. However, the originality of I saw the glow of the TV helped garner a cult following. These fans appreciated the I I saw the glow of the TVThe shocking ending, stunning visuals, complex plot full of twists and turns and deeper meanings about identity and expression. Although the film has yet to receive any major nominations or awards, it has been well-reviewed by critics and audiences alike, earning an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.

9

Long legs

Directed by Oz Perkins

Long Legs 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 appearance, “Longlegs”, who is involved in the world of the occult. As she delves deeper into the case, she learns more about his personal connection to her past. Long legs It was successful for several reasons, earning 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and generating a fair amount of buzz online.

With a star-studded cast led by Nicolas Cage as “Long Legs,” the performances in this film are hard to forget. This, along with the frightening plot and Lee Harker's twist, drew audiences in droves to theaters, with $126,942,386 in worldwide box office sales. However, despite the success with audiences driven by its unique villain, the film only scored 6.7/10 on IMDB and did not receive any major nominations or awards. However, it hardly stands up to being a standout entry in 2024.

8

MaxXxine

Directed by Ti West

MaxXine is the latest installment of the popular A24 Ti West X trilogy. The film revisits Maxine Minx (Mia Goth), the popular heroine of X, who fans have fallen in love with in 2022. A few years after the events of the original film, MaxXxine shows Maxine finally becoming a Hollywood star in the 1980s. However, When a serial killer starts attacking other actors, Maxine's dark past threatens to resurface.

It's no surprise that MaxXxine performed well theatrically, with US$22,057,077 in international box office sales (Mojo Box Office). 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 continuation of Maxine's unfinished ending in X movie timeline. However, the film also performed only averagely with critics and has yet to win major awards.

7

Love is bleeding

Directed by Rose Glass

Love is bleeding is another hit from 2024's A24 which debuted in theaters in March, showing how the independent giant truly dominates this aspect of cinema. The film, starring Kristen Stewart as Lou, follows a gym manager who falls in love with a mysterious bodybuilder at her gym, Jackie (Katy M. O'Brian). However, When Lou's crime family gets involved, their relationship is threatened.

Love is bleeding features a number of impressive performances from the leads as well as supporting characters like Dave Franco and Ed Harris. In addition to the acting in the film, the cinematography and visual effects are woven seamlessly to aid the fast-paced nature of the plot, which utilizes an experimental ending to tie up Love is bleeding together. It won the award for best feature film at the Berlin International Film Festival, in addition to five other victories on the festival circuit. The film also performed well with audiences, earning 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

6

My old ass

Directed by Megan Park

My old ass is a touching coming-of-age that hit theaters in September, following teenage Ellie (Maisy Stella) who meets her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza) during a mushroom trip. When she begins to warn Ellie by revealing traumatic details from her teenage years, Ellie worries about how to make amends for her past. The film is a moving story that many can relate to and gained the coveted cult following while it was in theaters.

While My old ass wasn't necessarily a hit in theaters, its 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is a testament to its genius in terms of history. Megan Park's film touches on themes of young romance, loss, and the challenges of never-ending life changes. Online, the film has attracted an audience that appreciates it for its strong performances and unique take on time travel comedy.

5

Didi

Directed by Sean Wang

Didi is another coming-of-age that was a hit this year due to its theme of the first-generation Asian-American experience and its relatable characters. The film centers on Chris (Izaac Wang), a 13-year-old from 2008 who struggles to become 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 himself.

Sean Wang's film performed well on the festival circuit, winning the Sundance US Dramatic Audience Award and the Special Jury Dramatic Ensemble Cast Award. Not to mention that the film had a score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.4/10 on IMDB. In the media, Didi drew attention for its advancements in diversity and message about valuing loving, supportive family members, and the struggles of being a first-generation child during adolescence. Additionally, leads Izaac Wang and Joan Chen deliver moving performances as mother and son that are worth watching.

4

A real pain

Directed by Jesse Eisenberg

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

A real pain has already performed well, winning 26 awards at its festival, and is currently considered to be nominated for several awards at the Golden Globes. The film also performed well with audiences, earning a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6/10 on IMDB. For an independent film of its size, its $8 million international box office performance also proves its successful media attention. The heart of the film is 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 is without a doubt one of the biggest horror film hits in the media this year. Its provocative theme revolves around the pressures of aging and ageism that women face, especially in the entertainment industry. Demi Moore returns to the screen in this film as Elizabeth Sparkle, a female fitness celebrity who turns to a mysterious drug known as “the substance“to create a younger version of herself.

This film achieved one of the highest box office sales for independent films this year, with revenues of US$57 million. The substanceThe 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes also proves its popularity among viewers. Its success translated to the festival circuit, where it was nominated for the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or and 22 other wins. Fargeaut's indie film is one of the most original and ambitious of the year, with a star-studded cast, inventive visuals, and horrific use of visual effects to create THE Substance rougher scenes.

2

Girls will be girls

Directed by Shuchi Talati

Shuchi Talati's international independent film, Girls will be girlsis definitely one of the best independent films of the year. This film focuses on the complicated experience of childhood and womanhood in India due to its social policies on gender. Girls will be girls addresses this through the lens of Mira (Preeti Panigrahi), a young teenager navigating young romance, sexual expression, and a complicated relationship with her mother.

While Girls will be girls saw less box office profits than films like The substance and MaxXxinehis performance with the audience is a testament to his well-written story and masterful performances. For example, its impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes projects the success of Talati's narrative. The film also won several notable awards, such as the Sundance Audience Awards for Best World Cinema Dramatic Film. Aside from the accolades, the theme 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

Few independent films this year can boast the success of Sean Baker's newest project anoraa likely Oscar contender. Baker's film saturated the media due to its incredible characters and an offbeat story about a sex worker, Anora/Ani (Mikey Madison), who enters into a whirlwind romance and marries a young party boy who is part of a powerful family. Russian. . Things go wrong for Anora when her family threatens to break up the marriage.

However anora is filled with crazy hysteria that audiences love, its subject matter is darker, depicting 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 cinemas is also due to its victory at Cannes, winning the prestigious Palme d'Or award. With its fast-paced story full of twists, well-written characters and beautiful visuals anora will certainly leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Source: Mojo Box Office