Must See Budget Indie Films

Evanne Evans, 26 Mar 2025

In 2025, budget indie films like "Anora," "The Brutalist," and "Flow" have received significant praise for their strong performances at the Oscars and from critics, including CineD. "Anora" is lauded for its visual beauty on a budget, while "The Substance" is praised for its practical horror effects. "The Brutalist" has also achieved notable commercial success, taking in about $66 million.

Indie cinema continues to thrive, captivating audiences with bold storytelling, fresh perspectives, and authentic performances. In a world increasingly saturated with franchise blockbusters, audiences are flocking to independent films that offer emotional depth, originality, and relatable human stories. Here’s a look at why these current indie movies are making waves, the themes they explore, their casts, and how they’re performing at the box office. Anora, directed by Sean Baker, leads the charge. Shot on a modest $6 million budget, the film tells the story of a Brooklyn sex worker whose life takes an unexpected turn when she marries the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. It swept the 2025 Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Actress (Mikey Madison), and Best Director. With its intimate camerawork and character-first approach, Anora proves that honest stories told well will always find an audience.

Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, another standout with a $6 million budget, combines historical drama with stark visual storytelling. It chronicles the journey of a Hungarian architect who flees war-torn Europe for America. Anchored by performances from Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, the film explores displacement, ambition, and artistic vision, making it a surprising commercial success and a critical darling.

On the animation front, Flow, a wordless Latvian-French co-production by Gints Zilbalodis, follows a stray cat navigating a surreal post-apocalyptic world. Its quiet beauty, created with a budget of just under $4 million, captivated audiences worldwide. Nominated for Best Animated Feature and Best International Film at the Oscars, Flow shows the global reach and creative possibilities of indie animation. As Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent notes, “It’s proof there’s not only one direction to take, and that Hollywood’s fixation on photorealism and A-list voice actors isn’t absolute.”

Finally, The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, blends body horror with social satire. With an estimated budget under $10 million, it garnered attention for its practical effects and feminist themes. The film, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, delivers both shock and substance, earning praise after its Cannes debut.

These films share more than just lean budgets—they reflect a growing appetite for originality, authenticity, and human connection in cinema. With strong returns upwards of 400% and widespread acclaim, they’re a testament to the enduring power of independent film in a blockbuster-heavy market. As audiences continue to seek out deeper stories and fresher voices, indie films like these prove that powerful art often starts small.