A new year is upon us (decade, actually), and with that comes a tidal wave of new films that come crashing into theaters, for better or worse. Not only did 2019 mark the end of the 2010s, but it was also a year that saw some of the biggest franchises in the industry, Marvel and Star Wars, bring some of their most climactic chapters to a close. Now, 2020 sheds light on new beginnings and thrilling next steps. Of course, there are a variety of big-name blockbusters to look forward to this year—such as Warner Bros. and DC’s highly anticipatedWonder Woman 1984, or James Bond’s climactic 25th outingNo Time To Die—but there are plenty of independent films worth keeping on your movie-watching list as well.
Some of the most-anticipated independent films of this year will be making their grand debut at theSundance Film Festivalin Park City, Utah, which kicks off at the end of January. From there, the buzziest features make their way out into the world and are, hopefully, talked-about throughout the remainder of the year. But, with so many big budget films clogging up the box office, it can be difficult to unearth these spectacular hidden treasures. So, to help you craft your must-see list of films in 2020, here are 10 indies that are worth keeping on your radar this year.
The Assistant (July 28, 2025)
Kitty Greendirects this thriller which chronicles a day in the life of an assistant to a powerful entertainment executive. Led by recent Emmy-winnerJulia Garner(Ozark), who plays the titular assistant named Jane, the film centers on her character as she begins to unravel and piece together the toxic behavior and abuse that’s unfolding at the hands of her boss. And although he isn’t specifically named, the boss in question is eerily familiar to the disgracedHarvey Weinstein, whose horrific actions sparked the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements back in 2018.
The Assistantoriginally made its debut last year at the Telluride Film Festival and will also be showing at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Thankfully, Bleecker Street acquired the film shortly after its Telluride premiere, so it’ll officially be released in theaters on January 31st. Not only is the story an important one that’s worth watching unfold, but Garner’s harrowing performance has been universally praised by those that have already seen the film.
Saint Maud (August 22, 2025)
A24 is gearing up to bring us even more scares this year, just in case you need to fill thatAri Aster-sized hole in your heart.Saint Maudis the directorial debut fromRose Glassand starsMorfydd Clarkas a hospice nurse named Maud. This psychological horror flick centers on Maud, who’s also a recently converted Roman Catholic, as she’s charged with the hospice care of a former dancer named Amanda (Jennifer Ehle). But, Maud quickly becomes obsessed with her new patient and feels that her soul must be saved, no matter the cost.
This film premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival and was widely acclaimed by critics, especially for Glass’s spectacular direction and Clark’s unsettling performance. Festivals aside,Saint Maudis set to release on March 27th in the United States and on May 1st in the United Kingdom.
Blow The Man Down (TBD, 2020)
This film starsMorgan SaylorandSophie Loweas Mary Beth and Priscilla Connolly, two sisters who are grieving the loss of their mother. Not long after their mother’s passing, their world is flipped upside down once again when they find themselves having to cover-up a crime. As they work together to sweep this under the rug, several other suspicious secrets begin to boil to the surface of their seemingly quaint seaside Maine town.
Blow The Man Down, taken from the sea shanty of the same name, is the directorial debut fromBridget Savage ColeandDanielle Krudy. It expertly walks the line between thriller and dark comedy, keeping the audience invested in the Connolly’s story and the strange events unraveling around them. It initially had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last year and was acquired by Amazon Studios not long after. Although an official release date is yet to be announced, it’s likely that the film will be hitting Amazon Prime Video sometime this year.
How to Build a Girl
If you adoredBeanie FeldsteininBooksmart, then get ready for an even more delightful performance inHow To Build A Girl. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name byCaitlin Moran, who also co-wrote the script, this comedy centers on a teenage girl named Johanna Morrigan (Feldstein). Similar toBooksmart’s academically-inclined Molly, which Feldstein embodied with an effortless charisma, Johanna is a whip-smart writer with a lackluster social life. But, she has a wild energy that can’t be tamed. After landing a writing gig with a punchy rock magazine, she begins a life-changing transformation into an eccentric rock critic named “Dolly Wilde”.
The coming-of-age plotline inHow To Build A Girlmay have points of familiarity for viewers, but the way it collides Johanna’s growth with her new alter ego adds an exciting new twist. DirectorCoky Giedroyccaptures this narrative with a loving humor that dares to challenge the idea of reinvention. It first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and will likely be coming to the big screen this year.
Last Night In Soho (July 05, 2025)
Edgar Wright’s upcoming psychological horror film has piqued the interest of many since its initial announcement, and while it’s maybe not an indie in a traditional sense (it’s being produced and released by Focus Features), it’s a highly anticipated film nonetheless. Production wrapped last September, but details surrounding the story have largely been kept a secret. As of right now, all that’s known is that it’s set in London and is led byThomasin McKenzie(Leave No Trace),Anya Taylor-Joy(The Witch), andMatt Smith(Doctor Who). As for the plot, it’s set in the sixties and has a dash of time travel sprinkled throughout. Interested?
Hopefully, the first trailer will be popping up soon to give eagerly-awaiting fans a glimpse at the thrilling horror thatLast Night In Sohohas in store. The film hits theaters on September 25th.
Falling (TBD, 2020)
Fallingmarks the feature directorial debut forViggo Mortensen. Yes, Aragorn himself has stepped behind the camera for a change. He also leads his film as a man named John who lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Monica (Gabby Velis), in California. The story centers on John’s relationship with his conservative father Willis (Lance Henriksen), whose mind is slowly failing as he gets older. In an attempt to help him find a new place to live that’s closer by, John decides to bring his father west to live with him and his family for a while instead of remaining isolated on his rural farm.
It’s clear that this story will be a heart-wrenching one to watch unfold as it explores the broken relationship and ideals between John and Willis. It’s set to have its world premiere on January 31st at the Sundance Film Festival, and will likely be picked up and set with a release date shortly after. Hopefully, for those not attending the festival, it’ll be sooner rather than later.
The Last Thing He Wanted (TBD, 2020)
Mudboundwriter/directorDee Reesis making her triumphant return to the Sundance Film Festival once again with another powerhouse story. Based on the book of the same name byJoan Didion,The Last Thing He Wantedis a political thriller that centers on a veteran DC journalist named Elena McMahon (Anne Hathaway) who becomes more invested in her work than she hopes to be. After taking on a series of arms deals in Central America left behind by her dying father (Willem Dafoe), Elena is soon thrust into the crossfire of the Contra activity that she had covered as a journalist for years.
Rees is no stranger to capturing the spotlight at Sundance. Her two previous filmsMudboundandPariahalso premiered at the festival and were immediately met with praise. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t have an official release outside of Sundance yet, but since it’s a Netflix movie it shouldn’t be long before the public can dig into this intriguing narrative on the streaming platform.
First Cow (August 27, 2025)
Based onJonathan Raymond’s novel titledThe Half Life,First CowstarsJohn Magaroas a cook named Cookie Figowitz who joins up with a group of fur trappers in the Pacific Northwest in the 19th Century. Among the individuals in the group, Cookie forms the strongest connection with a Chinese immigrant named King Lu (Orion Lee). Together, they collaborate on a successful business plan. But the company’s longevity is heavily reliant on the participation of a nearby landowner’s prized cow.
Directed and co-written byKelly Reichardt, with Raymond being the film’s other co-writer,First Cowpremiered last year at the Telluride Film Festival and was met with rave reviews right out the gate. Critics and audiences alike adored Reichardt’s drama, and the film was picked up by A24 not long after its debut. Now, It’s gearing up for an official release on March 6th.
The Lodge (June 17, 2025)
Another horror flick worth keeping an eye out for.The Lodgeis a film that has already been praised by critics for its phenomenal direction byVeronika FranzandSeverin Fiala, eerie screenplay, and incredible performances led byRiley Keough. The film centers on Keough’s character Grace, a young woman who finds herself snowed in at a remote winter cabin with her two soon-to-be stepchildren (Jaeden MartellandLia McHugh). Unfortunately, bonding time doesn’t last long between the trio, as the horrific mysteries of Grace’s past soon start to bubble to the surface.
This film had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last year and was acquired by NEON not long after. The film is set to finally release in just a few weeks on February 7th.
Promising Young Woman (June 22, 2025)
Thistrailerjust about broke the internet when it debuted, and it wasn’t just because of that sharp and snappy remix of “Toxic” that plays over it. Many have already expressed thatPromising Young Womanis one of their most anticipated films of this year, and for good reason. Written and directed byEmerald Fennell, who’s most notably known as the head writer and executive producer on season 2 of BBC’sKilling Eve, this film centers on a young woman named Cassie (Carey Mulligan). During the day, she appears to lead a quiet and uneventful existence as a barista. But, when the evening rolls around, a different and much darker side to Cassie is revealed. Traumatized by an event from her past, she seeks weekly vengeance against men who dare to cross her.
Considering how expertly Fennell writes femme fatales, withKilling Eve’s Villanelle being an excellent example, there’s no doubt that Cassie will be a complex, captivating, and thrilling character to watch on screen. Not only that, but from what’s already known about the story, it’ll surely be unforgettable.
Fennell’s feature film debut will be premiering this year at the Sundance Film Festival. After that, it’ll be released to the public via Focus Features on April 17th. And truly, that day can’t come fast enough.
