Romance films are quintessential for film enthusiasts who want a glimpse into how people interpret love. Indie Romance movies fill this need while also adding experimentation and creative storytelling. They aren’t blockbusters (though many are highly acclaimed)! And most of them didn’t have a huge budget to work with. But, that keeps them grounded in the story. Here are 10 of the best indie romance movies that you’ll be sure to fall in love with time after time:

Lady Bird (2017)

This critically-acclaimed film tells the story of “Lady Bird,” a high schooler looking for love. She does this while dealing with her relationship with her mother. Starring Saoirse Ronan, who won Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy at the 75th Golden Globes, Lady Bird was nominated for over 40 awards. It also stars the now famous Timothée Chalamet.

Blue Valentine (2010)

Harsh reality and a dull life can often decay love. Blue Valentine, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, shows flashes of romance and desire against the backdrop of a crumbling marriage. At times hard to watch, this film captures the turmoil of a relationship at its end.

Enough Said (2013)

Enough Said stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini. Dedicated to Gandolfini, Enough Said features tricky relationships, with Gandolfini at its center. While heavy in drama at times, the chemistry between the two leads carries this romantic comedy to a satisfying end.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

A star-studded duo of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence carry Silver Linings Playbook. It’s the first movie since 2004 nominated for the Big Five Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay). This is one of those indie romance movies that made it big!

(500) Days Of Summer (2009)

This creative, nonlinear film gives us the message, “We believe what we want to believe.” Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel feature in this movie timelining a failed romance. Its premise of living in the present, not the future, is endearing to us.

Sleeping With Other People (2015)

Starring Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis, Sleeping With Other People centers around these two as they reconnect at a sex addicts support group. Having lost their virginities to each other in college. Delivering jokes that puts a twist on the usual will-they-won’t-they, this movie will have you rooting for this unlikely couple.

The Big Sick (2017)

Written by and starring Kumail Nanjiani of stand-up comedy and Silicon Valley fame, Nanjiani tells his personal romance story about him and his wife Emily Gordon (who also co-wrote the film). The story addresses important themes of cultural relationships, identity, and family. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, The Big Sick is a must-see indie that will tug at your heart strings.

Her (2013)

Does it matter who we fall in love with? Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson delves into a man’s relationship with the AI voice of his computer system. This creative, sci-fi setting reveals how relationships are complex and not always based on what is thought to be “real”. Quirky and unique, this is definitely one of those indie romance movies we think is worth watching. 

Blue Jay (2016)

An old relationship brimming with nostalgia carries this indie film. High school sweethearts reconnect, but the memories they share soon turn to the worst of them. Passing under the radar in 2016, Blue Jay gives you the feeling that love is never forgotten, only subdued.

The Spectacular Now (2013)

The Spectacular Now is more than a flash in the pan. In the dog days of senior year, with life ahead of them, Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley look, act, and feel like real teenagers. This rare combination shines in this timeless indie romance.

Final Takeaway

Whether you laugh, cry, or sit and think, these indie romance movies will invoke a wide range of emotions. The best advice we can give you is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the essence of these indie romance films in all their glory. We can’t wait to see what indie romance movies will impact and inspire us in the 2020s. And be sure to check out our feature films here!