The Best Indie Film Apps
For film novices and cinephiles alike.
In the battle of the streaming wars, there are numerous platforms from which to choose, and it can be difficult to sort through the larger studio features to find more niche gems. Luckily, over the past decade and change, we’ve seen the advent of smaller, independent streaming services.
Indie streamers aren’t trying to compete with the behemoth platforms but instead cater to those interested in both old and new world cinema—to the highly regarded and cult-followed movies alike. They boost films by directors short on cash yet big on impact, non-English language films, and even older studio hits. So, where exactly do those who love film history and those new to the French New Wave stream films? We asked filmmakers and film enthusiasts of passerby for their recommendations on the best indie streaming platforms.
Mubi
Recommended by clémence polès, angela kohler, naima abed, jenna saraco, marina sulmona, eva berezovsky, and @dghins
With a new featured film every day, it’s easy to see why Mubi is among the most loved streamers. The all-encompassing platform boasts a highly-curated selection of independent films, festival spotlights, and award-winning favorites. Their “lists” feature and publishing outlet Notebook offer intricate guidance and thoughtful reading to complement the film catalog, respectively. Photographer and filmmaker Angela Kohler puts it simply: “I LOVE Mubi.”
Standout films to start with include Force Majeure, Charade, and Dead Pigs.
stream now
The Criterion Channel
Recommended by clémence polès, mahen bonetti, isabel sandoval, marina sulmona, kerrilynn pamer, and maryam mortaz
“Please absolutely include Criterion on this list — it’s the favorite of many folks who love foreign/world cinema films,” says Founder & Director of The New York African Film Festival Mahen Bonetti. With over 1,000 films and exclusive interviews, The Criterion Channel provides in-depth access to many of cinema’s most celebrated entries. Criterion’s continued restoration work and online magazine cement its status as a film history favorite, perfect for those who want a deep dive.
Standout films to start with include Tampopo, Paris, Texas, and Le Bonheur.
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Kanopy
Recommended by marina sulmona and @texasjaynesawmassacre
“Kanopy is low-key the best app out there,” says photo producer and former passerby editor Marina Sulmona. “It’s available for FREE to so many people and houses so much of film history. You can watch much of Criterion’s catalog, every A24 movie, or more obscure gems.” Access Kanopy with a library card — or, if you’re a student, with your university login.
Standout films to start with include The Lobster, Ex Libris, and La Strada.
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This Light
Recommended by clémence polès and marina sulmona
Run by Andrew Norman Wilson, this film archive sprang from a “desire to make private viewing habits public” and foster opportunities for people to connect over the love of cinema. The platform creates both an informed and curious cache of movies, and Wilson is always looking to add rare films to the archive. Others may contribute films too, making This Light the most eclectic and community-generated streaming option on our list.
Standout films to start with include Ms. 45, Bound, and The Last Picture Show.
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Shudder
Recommended by marina sulmona and eva berezovsky
The streaming home for horror fans with a library of essential classics and original content, Shudder provides an excellent introduction for those new to the genre and has plenty of movies to keep seasoned fans entertained. The list of sub-genres––from creature features to killers to a wealth of international horror standouts––helps subscribers find their niche within horror, making a daunting genre much more novice-friendly.
Standout films to start with include Night of the Living Dead, The Scary of Sixty-First, and Andy Warhol’s Blood for Dracula.
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Shasha
Recommended by clémence polès, marina sulmona, and eva berezovsky
Shasha specializes in South-West Asian and North African cinema, featuring a fresh batch of 20 hand-selected films every two months in addition to other on-demand programming. All films on Shasha are shown in their original language with English subtitles, preserving the integrity of the viewing experience while bringing the works to a wider audience. Be sure to keep an eye out for their nomadic film club, which hosts intimate screenings in different cities.
Standout films to start with include A Handful of Dates and Brick of Life.
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tënk
Recommended by clémence polès
A platform devoted exclusively to documentary film, tënk offers a “Dive In” course of four films plus written analysis from their team to give those new to auteur-driven documentaries a thoughtful introduction. Change your VPN to access films from the French streamer around the globe.
Standout films to start with include We The People, Signing, and Coffee Has to be Drunk Swearing Hot.
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NoBudge
Recommended by nadia bedzhanova
Actor and director Kentucky Audely thought up NoBudge for DIY and low-budget gems. This option presents a curation of shorts and feature-length films from emerging talent; “the platform has always [supported] independent filmmaking,” notes filmmaker Nadia Bedzhanova.
Standout films to start with include Santa Monica, Alyssa Learns to Drive, and Agua Viva.
stream now
Additional recommendations include AnotherScreen (recommended by Marina Sulmona), Metrograph (recommended by Nellie Killian), Alter (recommended by Marina Sulmona), and a selection from our founder and film-lover Clémence Polès, including Underground Film Journal, Re:Voir, rarefilmm, Arte and Arte Boutique, (which require changing your VPN to France, if you’re outside of the country).
Words by Jayne O’Dwyer