Today is Independence Day here in the US, so I thought I’d make use of that concept of independence in this edition of Collector’s Corner, sharing the independently-produced films in my collection, and those topping my wish list!

(NOTE: I combed through Wikipedia’s “American Independent Films” category as well as my own collection list on Letterboxd in order to make this as complete as possible, but there still may be a few titles missing!)

Indies on the Shelves:

  • (500) Days of Summer (2009)
  • The Amityville Horror (1979)
  • Bernie (2011)
  • Beyond the Lights (2014)
  • The Bigamist (1953)
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The Bigamist was one of Ida Lupino’s directorial efforts, independently produced by her company, The Filmakers. (Image via Jubilee DVDs)
  • Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
  • Bring It On (2000)
  • Crooklyn (1994)
  • Dirty Dancing (1987)
  • Do the Right Thing (1989)
  • Easy A (2010)
  • Empire Records (1995)
  • Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
  • Ex Machina (2014)
  • Eyewitness (1956)
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Independent production has always allowed the talents of women filmmakers a place to shine. Eyewitness is a British indie directed by the multi-talented Muriel Box, who was also a screenwriter and co-founder of her own production company. (Image via impawards.com)
  • Five Minutes to Live (1961)
  • Ghost World (2001)
  • The Graduate (1967)
  • Halloween (1978)
  • Happy Accidents (2000)
  • Heathers (1988)
  • Hillbillys in a Haunted House (1967)
  • Ira & Abby (2006)
  • Last Days (2005)
  • Midnight in Paris (2011)
  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
  • Penelope (2006)
  • Platoon (1986)
  • The Ramen Girl (2008)
  • A River Runs Through It (1992)
  • The Sadist (1963)
  • Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
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Smoke Signals is one of my all-time favorite films, telling the story of two very different young men from a Couer d’Alene reservation, embarking on a road trip to collect the ashes of one of the men’s fathers. (Image via Movies Pictures)
  • Smoke Signals (1998)
  • Somewhere in Time (1980)

Indies on the Wish List:

  • Before I Fall (2017)
  • Begin Again (2013)
  • The Big Sick (2017)
  • The Blob (1958)
  • Carnival of Souls (1962)
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Carnival of Souls is an incredibly eerie and suspenseful indie horror/mystery. (Image via FlickFacts)
  • Eve’s Bayou (1997)
  • Girlfriends (1978)
  • Into the Wild (2007)
  • Life Partners (2014)
  • The Love Witch (2016)
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The Love Witch is a stylish spookfest about a woman obsessed with finding her perfect mate, at any cost. (Screen capture by Lindsey for TMP)
  • New Year’s Evil (1980)
  • Night of the Living Dead (1968)
  • Nightcrawler (2014)
  • Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
  • The Science of Sleep (2006)
  • Take Me Home (2011)
  • Take Shelter (2011)

What are your favorite independent films/go-to recommendations? Feel free to share in the comments!