The Best Indie Drama Movies, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 1.1K votes 209 voters
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Indie Drama Movies, Ranked
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite drama films released by independent film studios.
Latest additions: Before Sunset, Little Miss Sunshine
Most divisive: Spanking the Monkey

More than 200 movie fans have voted to shape these rankings of the best indie drama movies. Indie films are known for their unique perspectives and stories, as well as their ability to make a lasting impact on audiences with limited budgets and resources. These independent dramas often feature stunning performances that bring complex characters to life in powerful ways, while exploring themes like love, family, identity, and more.

From poignant coming-of-age stories to hard-hitting social commentaries, there's something special about these films that really resonates with fans of independent cinema. Take Richard Linklater's Before Sunset (2004), which follows two strangers who meet again nine years after falling in love at first sight during a brief encounter in Vienna. Or The Wrestler (2008), Darren Aronofsky's award-winning drama about an aging professional wrestler struggling to reconnect with his estranged daughter amid personal turmoil.

Other great indie dramas include Moonlight (2016), Boyhood (2014) and Little Miss Sunshine (2006). All of these films showcase impressive filmmaking craftsmanship from some of independent cinema’s most talented directors - so why not check out the list yourself? Vote up your favorite indie dramas below so they can ascend this ranking.

Ranked by
  • Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
    1

    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

    Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst
    55 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Michel Gondry
    In the mind-bending drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) finds his world turned upside down when he learns his ex-girlfriend, Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet), has undergone a medical procedure to erase him from her memory. Struck by despair, he decides to do the same. The movie then takes us on an intricate journey through Joel's mind as his memories with Clementine progressively vanish. Renowned for its unique narrative structure and surreal visuals, this film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2005. A poignant exploration of love, loss, and memory, it remains a standout in director Michel Gondry's oeuvre.

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  • Lost in Translation
    2

    Lost in Translation

    Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi
    45 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Sofia Coppola
    In Lost in Translation, a film that swept up an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Bob Harris (Bill Murray), an aging movie star, finds himself marooned in Tokyo. Concurrently, Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young woman grappling with her own existential crisis, is also navigating the same foreign cityscape. Both characters, adrift and alienated, form an unlikely bond in this subtly humorous drama. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo's vibrant nightlife and serene temples, this Sofia Coppola-directed masterpiece explores themes of loneliness, inscrutability of love, and the fleeting nature of human connection.

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  • Donnie Darko
    3

    Donnie Darko

    Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore
    49 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Richard Kelly
    In the eerie, yet fascinating movie Donnie Darko, Jake Gyllenhaal portrays the titular character; a troubled, sleepwalking teen who is plagued by visions of an apocalyptic future. Guided by Frank (James Duval), his prophetic and sinister bunny-costumed friend, Donnie grapples to understand the complex web of time travel and parallel universes that unfold before him. The film, masterfully directed by Richard Kelly, is a blend of psychological thriller and science fiction genres. It has won several awards for its innovative storytelling and compelling performances, making it a cult classic in contemporary cinema.
  • Requiem for a Dream
    4

    Requiem for a Dream

    Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly
    44 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
    Requiem for a Dream, a harrowing dive into the depths of addiction, paints an unflinching picture of four lives ravaged by drug dependency. The movie stars Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb, a lonely widow obsessed with television fame, while Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly portray young lovers Harry Goldfarb and Marion Silver, whose dreams are derailed by heroin. Lastly, Tyrone C. Love (Marlon Wayans), Harry's best friend, struggles to escape his past in their shared downward spiral. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, this intense drama weaves a tale of dreams shattered under the relentless weight of substance abuse.

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  • Whiplash
    5

    Whiplash

    Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist
    34 votes
    • Released: 2014
    • Directed by: Damien Chazelle
    In the gripping drama Whiplash, Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), a young jazz drummer, seeks to climb the ranks at a prestigious music conservatory. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an esteemed yet terrifying conductor, becomes his mentor and tormentor in equal measures. The movie delves into their intense relationship, punctuated by Fletcher's relentless pursuit of perfection and Neiman's obsessive ambition. This thrilling narrative won three Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor for Simmons. Whiplash is a riveting exploration of dedication, discipline, and the high price of artistic brilliance.

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  • Léon: The Professional
    6

    Léon: The Professional

    Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Jean Reno
    40 votes
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: Luc Besson
    Léon: The Professional, a thrilling crime drama, revolves around Léon (Jean Reno), an Italian hitman residing in New York City. A quiet man with a lethal profession, Léon's solitary life takes a turn when he becomes the reluctant guardian to Mathilda (Natalie Portman), a 12-year-old girl whose family has been brutally murdered by corrupt DEA agent Stansfield (Gary Oldman). As Léon teaches Mathilda his deadly skills to exact her revenge, their relationship deepens into an unconventional bond. Amidst gritty action and poignant moments, the film explores themes of vengeance, morality and redemption. Directed by Luc Besson, this movie is acclaimed for its exceptional performances and gripping narrative.

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