10. Richard Linklater
WhileRichard Linklaterhas certainly done big-budget productions—like the cult classicSchool of Rock(2003)—he actually made his name as an independent filmmaker.
His best-known films include the likes ofDazed and Confused(1993),Before Sunrise(1995),Waking Life(2002), andBefore Sunset(2004), which all cost less than $10 million to make.
He’s also known forBoyhood(2014), the experimental film that took 12 years to complete and featured the actual aging-up of the film’s actors over those many years.
Considering the lack of substantial funding, there’s a fantastic quality and artistic integrity to all of his films.
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9. Trey Edward Shults
As of this writing,Trey Edward Shultshas only directed three films, but they’ve all been stellar and they all find themselves within the independent genre.
His debut featureKrisha(2015), which is recognized as one of the best directorial debuts in recent years, was made on only $30,000.
His two other features—It Comes at Night(2017) andWaves(2019)—were made on $5 million and $6 million, respectively.
Considering that all of his films have been well-received critically, it demonstrates a promising career in the independent film circuit.
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8. Kelly Reichardt
Kelly Reichardtisn’t just one of the best independent directors, but also one of the best female directors, period. She’s made movies that are visually stunning, soul-soothing, and just wonderful.
Her lyrical filmFirst Cow(2019) not only received96% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it was made on a mere $2 million budget.
Other great works from her filmography includeNight Moves(2013) andCertain Women(2016), which both earned similar levels of critical praise despite their small production budgets.
Related:The Greatest Female Movie Directors (And Their Best Films)
7. The Duplass Brothers
The Duplass brothershave certainly made the most out of having friends interested in making movies.
Baghead(2008) andJeff, Who Lives at Home(2011) both went on to receive critical acclaim, and both Duplass brothers have indulged in acting, writing, and producing in the independent film sector.
These two are a prime example of a pair of filmmakers who took advantage of the digital revolution.
Related:The Best Indie Movies of the 2000s, Ranked
6. Barry Jenkins
Barry Jenkinsis one of the more artistic filmmakers on this list. Plus, at the risk of stating the obvious, he’s made a name for himself as one of the greatest black filmmakers of our time.
Drawing inspiration from European auteurs, Jenkins developed an eclectic style that places emphasis on gorgeous cinematography and quiet-yet-captivating performances.
His triumph inMoonlight(2016) demonstrated to the world that he was a director to take notice of—and it was made on under $4 million.
His follow-up featureIf Beale Street Could Talk(2018) also received universal acclaim, which was made on a little over $10 million (which is still considered a small budget in big Hollywood).
Related:The Best Movies by Black Directors of All Time, Ranked
5. Thomas Vinterberg
Though his name may not sound familiar,Thomas Vinterbergis one that you’ll want to remember. He recently won an Oscar for Best International Feature Film as the director ofAnother Round(2020).
This Oscar-winning drama was made on only $5 million, and many of his other films were made on even less.
As one of the co-authors of theDogme 95 Manifesto(alongside fellow indie filmmaker Lars von Trier), Vinterberg has frequently found himself on the cutting edge of independent cinema.
His feature debutFesten(1998) was made on just $1 million yet ended up being one of the most stunning films of the decade.
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4. Noah Baumbach
Noah Baumbachhas recently been finding himself more involved with mainstream Hollywood, but he first made a name for himself in independent cinema.
His debut featureKicking and Screaming(1995)—about a group of college graduate friends working out what the next steps of their lives should be—was made on only $1.5 million.
The comedy-drama was his calling card for the next few years, during which time he directed the likes ofThe Squid and the Whale(2005) andFrances Ha(2013) on a meager $1.5 million and $3 million, respectively.
Sure, he’s gone on to direct bigger features—likeWhite Noise(2022) on a budget of $100 million—but Baumbach’s real strength lies in making small-budget movies look like big-budget productions.
For proof of that, check outThe Meyerowitz Stories(2017) andMarriage Story(2019), which were both made on less than $20 million.
Related:The Best Romance Drama Movies of All Time, Ranked
3. Jim Jarmusch
Jim Jarmuschis frequently recognized as the coolest filmmaker of all time. His films are filled with slow long-takes that feature stream-of-consciousness dialogue and pop culture icons like Iggy Pop, Bill Murray, and Tom Waits.
In fact, you could argue that his auteur style was tailor-made for the independent film scene, which was largely revived by the role he played with his revolutionary cinema productions.
For example,Stranger Than Paradise(1984) breaks all of the filmmaking rules of Hollywood, yet it’s still good and was made on $100,000. His debut feature,Permanent Vacation(1980), was made on an impressively smaller budget of just $12,000.
Jim Jarmusch is a renegade who attracted other filmmaking renegades and inspired an entire generation of independent directors.
Related:The Best Classic Indie Movies of the 1980s, Ranked
2. Roger Corman
Nobody had quite the same impact on the independent film industry that the legendaryRoger Cormanhad. With his work in the 1960s, Corman was a significant driving force behind New Hollywood.
Corman’s efforts nearly made independent cinema into the norm. He inspired a whole generation of up-and-comers by showing them how much could be done with so little to work with.
For examples of what he could do, you should check outThe House of Usher(1960) andLittle Shop of Horrors(1960).
Roger Corman was so influential, he helped jumpstart the careers of Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, George Lucas, and Ron Howard. You know, just some of the biggest movie directors to have ever lived…
Due to his wide-reaching influence, Roger Corman is easily the most important independent filmmaker of all time. Yet even so, I wouldn’t say he was thebest—because that prestigious title belongs to…
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1. John Cassavetes
John Cassaveteswas once referred to as an iconoclastic maverick, and that characterization isn’t too far wrong!
Cassavetes had such disdain for the Hollywood scene that he often self-financed his films to avoid having to work within the studio system.
His directorial debutShadows(1959) was made on $40,000. Other great titles from his incredible filmography includeFaces(1968),Husbands(1970), andA Woman Under the Influence(1974), all of which were produced on less than $2 million each.
He may have been frequently met with criticism during his day, but in modern times, John Cassavetes is uniquely remembered as the best independent filmmaker of all time.
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