Welcome to The Era of Low-Budget Indie Films
The rise of indie films as they enter the cinema and challenge big-budget blockbusters.
Photo Source: iStock
When I consider watching a movie, my first thought is to stream something on Netflix or Hulu - probably something I’ve seen before, and probably something produced by one of the streaming services themselves. The problem with this is that lately I’ve been feeling tired of the same old films, with traditional actors and painfully predictable plots. Enter: Low-budget indie films. These films are carving out a niche in an industry dominated by big studios and mainstream productions.
According to Esquire, we have now entered the era of low-budget films, as this corner of the film industry is actually thriving. With the exponential advances in technology that have defined recent years came the ability for aspiring filmmakers to produce high quality movies with only a few thousand dollars. For reference, a few thousand dollars may seem like a boatload of money to some of us, but it's actually squat in the film industry. Although these films may not achieve the same level of fame that their larger budgeted counterparts reach, they can be equally, if not more, captivating.
Today, companies are more interested in financing movies that they can ensure will be a smashing success, which simply means more Disney remakes and superhero movies. Don’t get me wrong, I like “Spiderman” as much as the next person, but pushing small filmmakers and fresh ideas to the sidelines ultimately creates a monotonous experience for viewers who end up feeling like they’re watching the same movie again and again. And again.
On the bright side, the difficulty of breaking into the big time media industry means a low budget that pushes smaller filmmakers to get creative, and can often lead to some really fascinating productions. Without the sky high expectations and numerous regulations of a bigger budget, small producers can use their imagination to display their individual artistry in unique ways. While they might not be recognized on a major scale, small streaming platforms, such as NoBudge support DIY movies, offer the chance to get these films to viewers.
However, by some combination of talent, timing and pure luck, some low-budget films go on to become major blockbusters. I’m sure you’ve heard of “The Blair Witch Project” or “Annabelle.” These were actually low-budget films! According to Collider, “The Blair Witch Project” brought in $246.8 million worldwide, despite only having a budget of $60,000. And it isn’t just horror movies that can achieve this success on a modest budget. Some other examples of well-known films with budgets of only a few thousand to a few million dollars (again, this is paltry in the world of Hollywood movies) include “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Rocky” and “Mad Max,” all of which brought in astounding revenue.
I almost forgot to mention - “Star Wars” was produced with only $11 million, and then went on to gross an enormous $775.4 million, becoming the highest grossing film of all time (until “E.T.”).
Photo Source: Esquire
While low-budget movies are on the rise, mid-budget movies may be seeing a decline, according to CNN. Mid-budget refers to a film produced within the range of 15 to 60 million dollars, such as “Good Will Hunting” or “Sleepless in Seattle.” In recent years, as we’ve focused our attention on big-budget movies and remakes, media platforms have continued the cycle of refusing to fund any idea they deem too niche or too controversial. This means that movies with identical formulas are the ones that get theatrical releases, while indie films scramble for a spot on a streaming platform.
Streaming services do generally access more narrow audiences through algorithms, but it can be hard for movies with less marketing to get noticed, as they slip between the cracks in the endless shuffle of streamable movies. This widening gap between mainstream and low-budget films raises questions about the future of the film industry, with some speculating that smaller indie films may soon become the new norm in theaters.
Mainstream blockbusters won’t be enough to keep local movie theaters in business, especially with the growth of streaming services that dealt a major blow to the community experience of movie theaters, so some theaters have already started showcasing classic films as supplemental income. With that being said, showing more low-budget films seems to me like the obvious next step. In fact, some low-budget films actually have had theatrical releases, so if you’re looking to see any of those awesome contemporary films made for under $10 million, check out this list on Den of Geek.
In a world dominated by big-budget blockbusters (that’s a tongue twister!), it's refreshing to see that the era of low-budget indie films is thriving. These films not only push the boundaries of creativity, but also have the potential to become major hits. So, the next time you're searching for something to watch, don't overlook the hidden gems of the indie film world - you just might discover the next cult classic.