13 Really Good Independent Films to Watch

Really good independent films offer more than entertainment—they invite you into stories that challenge, surprise, and connect on a deeper level.

If mainstream movies always feel the same, our curated list highlights 13 standout independent films known for bold vision and original storytelling.

Here, you’ll find the kind of films celebrated by devoted indie enthusiasts and championed by voices like Level 33 Entertainment.

1. Chasing Amy

For independent film fans who value narrative complexity and representation, Chasing Amy is an essential watch. This title explores friendship and identity with sharp humor and emotional honesty. It’s not just about romance; it’s about the blurred lines between love and self-discovery.

• This film sparked genuine conversation about LGBTQ+ topics, embracing what mainstream cinema ignored at the time.

• Characters confront messy truths, helping viewers see their own emotional struggles reflected onscreen.

• Its witty, layered script invites active engagement and debate.

• Perfect for those who care about cultural impact and want more than surface-level stories.

The indie spirit shines in every scene. If you want stories that defy the ordinary and make you think, start here.

Indie films like Chasing Amy break barriers by bringing new identities and hard questions right into the spotlight.

2. Finding Tony

Original, introspective journeys matter in indie cinema. Finding Tony stands out for its focus on resilience and the quest for belonging. The film’s distinctive cinematography and narrative style elevate it above standard coming-of-age stories.

• It centers marginalized voices, challenging viewers to walk a mile in shoes they rarely see on screen.

• Our belief in creative freedom means films like this provide more than entertainment; they allow you to connect deeply with overlooked experiences.

• If you care about story over spectacle, this film delivers.

We champion underrepresented storytellers. For those craving character-driven arcs and personal growth, Finding Tony sets a benchmark in the indie landscape.

3. Facing Monsters

Documentaries get real when they go beyond the facts. Facing Monsters takes you into extreme surf culture while drilling into the real psychological battles underneath. Every frame pulses with kinetic energy and raw honesty.

• Immersive visuals pull you into windswept isolation and exhilarating risk.

• The film tackles personal struggle and community, avoiding the clichés of many big-budget documentaries.

• It’s the ideal pick for viewers who want to see the line between human grit and wild nature blurred.

Here, innovation in filmmaking is not a luxury. It’s the baseline. If visual audacity and fresh angles on perseverance call to you, this is a documentary you won’t forget.

4. Emily the Criminal

Choices driven by survival. Systems stacked against ordinary people. Emily the Criminal cuts deep into today’s realities. With a tense script and magnetic performance from Aubrey Plaza, the film explores gritty crime through the lens of financial desperation.

• The story’s authenticity brings to life modern anxieties around debt, work, and risk.

• Its Sundance pedigree highlights its bold rejection of tidy endings—this is for realists who want nuance, not bedtime morality tales.

• Best fit for fans wired for suspense and social commentary in equal measure.

We know the pulse of indie cinema. If you’re motivated by stories about ordinary people taking on impossible odds, Emily delivers both stakes and style.

Great indie films challenge not just how we see the world, but how we see ourselves navigating it.

5. ROMA

Few films place you so squarely in another world as ROMA. Alfonso Cuarón’s deeply personal, visually poetic work is immersive in every sense. The black-and-white visuals feel timeless, yet every detail pulses with present-day relevance.

• Widely recognized for its artistry, having won three Academy Awards.

• The narrative focus never leaves the human level, stripping away the excess and zeroing in on daily resilience and quiet heroism.

• Ideal for indie fans driven by craft, cultural depth, and global stories.

Stories like this redefine what cinema can do. Our mission is to surface films with this level of audacity and truth.

6. Marriage Story

No one captures the heartbreak and complexity of human relationships like Noah Baumbach in Marriage Story. The film delivers raw, grounded drama, free of melodrama. Every argument, every reconciliation feels true.

• The actors lay everything bare, digging into themes of love, identity, and change.

• The script’s realism bridges the gap between indie art and mainstream empathy.

• Fans searching for emotional honesty and layered characters won’t find a better match.

Indie cinema thrives by refusing shortcuts. If you want to see real life reflected with intelligence and care, start here.

7. Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation delivers subtle, powerful insight about isolation and human connection. The Tokyo backdrop adds intrigue, while two unforgettable performances anchor the story.

• Sofia Coppola’s direction heightens the sense of distance and quiet yearning.

• Emotional ambiguity and a moody, atmospheric style set this film apart, inviting you to look closer and feel more.

• Perfect for viewers who value films that prompt reflection, quiet impact, and dialogue about belonging.

This is where indie film merges with artistry to create something lasting. If you’re seeking films that weigh less on spectacle and more on substance, Lost in Translation raises the bar.

8. Happy as Lazzaro

When you crave poetic, unconventional stories, Happy as Lazzaro comes through. This Italian gem fuses magical realism with grounded social critique, making every scene unpredictable.

• Luminous cinematography elevates rural settings and gives even harsh realities a dreamlike glow.

• The film’s blend of fairytale and authenticity creates questions about justice, tradition, and hope.

• Best for deep thinkers and those who want beauty with their commentary—not just one or the other.

If you hunger for films that shift perspectives and challenge comfort zones, this one rewards careful viewers.

International indie films expand our understanding by forcing us to see the world in new, compelling ways.

9. Frances Ha

Frances Ha wins your loyalty with charm and honesty. This black-and-white New York dramedy leans into the everyday stumbles of chasing dreams and redefining adulthood.

• Its quirky style and witty dialogue hit hard for anyone navigating friendship, ambition, or change.

• The episodic structure keeps things authentic, echoing the unpredictable pace of real life.

• Ideal for those who value character quirks, laugh-out-loud moments, and the messiness of self-discovery.

Our roster celebrates films that feel lived-in and true. Frances Ha is for anyone who has ever felt out of step with their own big plans.

10. I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore

Looking for something that mixes comedy, grit, and originality? This film delivers a jolt. It’s a wild ride fueled by anger, oddball humor, and a determination to push boundaries.

• Blends noir, thriller, and quirky comedy into a fresh package.

• Its focus on alienation strikes a nerve with those who feel out of place in a world gone weird.

• Fits perfectly for viewers who want bold genre hybrids that don’t play by the rules.

At Level 33, we love movies that take risks and break form. Stories like this prove indie cinema can hit hard with both style and substance.

11. Only Lovers Left Alive

If you want art and style, Only Lovers Left Alive delivers both. Jim Jarmusch’s unique take on vampires replaces action with mood, music, and philosophical musing.

• The film’s slow-burn pace rewards patience with haunting visuals and thoughtful questions about identity.

• Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston craft characters who embody outsiderdom, appealing to indie fans looking for something deeper than clichés.

• Great for those drawn to creative, atmospheric storytelling that lingers.

You deserve films that push boundaries and stay with you long after the credits roll. We look for directors who trust you to grapple with big, lasting ideas.

12. Bait

Bait is raw, urgent, and unforgettable. Its use of 16mm black-and-white film pushes every frame into a new kind of realism, while the story hits modern pressures head-on.

• Tackles gentrification and community change without sugarcoating the fallout for locals.

• Analog filmmaking creates a look and feel you won’t find in glossy, over-produced movies.

• Ideal for anyone who wants their cinema defiantly independent and unafraid to confront tough issues.

Real stories about real people matter. Our team stands behind films that give a voice to communities struggling to be heard.

13. Tangerine

For those who want something radically fresh, Tangerine is a must. Shot on iPhones, it thunders through Los Angeles at Christmas with energy and truth.

• Features transgender sex workers at the center, offering perspectives often unseen—and unheard—in mainstream cinema.

• The kinetic blend of comedy and drama tears down boundaries and spotlights real lives.

• Terrific for anyone who values innovation, representation, or just wants to see what’s possible outside a studio lot.

These are the films that inspire us at Level 33—to back original vision, new technology, and authentic voices.

What Sets Really Good Independent Films Apart

There’s a reason you’re drawn to indie films. You want discovery, not the same formulas. You want stories where stakes are personal, not patched together from focus group data. Our experience curating diverse titles has taught us what makes a truly good independent film stand out.

Key Qualities to Watch For

• Relatable characters who feel real and tackle meaningful issues

• Bold storytelling—think non-linear plots, surprising genres, and emotional depth

• Perspectives that are missing from mainstream Hollywood, including stories from marginalized communities

When you choose indie, you support bold voices and new viewpoints. You help drive change in what stories get told—and who gets to tell them.

The best indie films risk failure for the chance to show you something real and rare.

Conclusion

If you value authenticity, risk-taking, and personal connection, really good independent films offer more than just movies—they offer insight and inspiration. Our work at Level 33 is to help you find these unforgettable stories.

When you want more from your film experience, look beyond the marquee. Let these films—and our commitment to unique storytelling—guide your next viewing. Open up, ask more, and discover what indie cinema can really deliver.