4 of the best indie romance movies ever made

Indie romance films have a special way of capturing the nuances of love and connection, often presenting stories that feel raw, authentic, and deeply relatable. These films, typically made outside the constraints of major studios, allow filmmakers the creative freedom to delve into the intricacies of relationships, showcasing both the joys and challenges that come with falling in love.

In this article, we’ll highlight four of the best indie romance movies ever made, each offering a unique perspective on love that has left a lasting impact on viewers and critics alike.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

When you think of the best indie romance films, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has to come to mind. This thought-provoking film explores the intricacies of love, loss, and the human experience. It's a timeless classic, resonating with anyone who has ever loved deeply and grappled with the idea of letting go.

Featuring a unique blend of romance and sci-fi, the story follows a broken-up couple, Joel and Clementine, who both decide to undergo a procedure to erase all memories of their former relationship from their minds. However, as Joel goes through the procedure, he begins to relive all their happier memories, from their first meeting to their most intimate moments.

As he experiences the memories being wiped away, he realizes how much he cherishes their time together and fights to hold onto the fleeting moments they shared. Jim Carrey stars as Joel, while Kate Winslet plays Clementine.

The Spectacular Now (2013)

What makes The Spectacular Now one of the best indie romance flicks is its raw and authentic portrayal of young love and the challenges of growing up. We follow troubled high school senior, Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), who after being broken up by his girlfriend, gets extremely drunk and wakes up the next morning on the front lawn of one of his classmates, Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley).

Sutter and Aimee couldn't be more different from each other. While Sutter is one of the popular kids at school and only really cares about having fun and partying, Aimee is shy and introverted and chooses to stay under the radar. After their chance encounter, they begin to spend time together, and a romantic relationship develops. Aimee offers Sutter a fresh perspective on life and love, while Sutter shows her that there's more to life than just school and good grades.

Call Me by Your Name (2017)

Call Me by Your Name captures the nuances of first love with a level of authenticity that resonates deeply with audiences. It's a coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on André Aciman’s novel of the same name. It received critical acclaim and was even nominated for many prestigious awards. It went on to win the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards.

The story takes place in the summer of 1983. Timothée Chalamet stars in the leading role of Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old boy living with his parents at their 17th-century villa in Lombardy, Italy. When a charming and charismatic 24-year-old graduate student named Oliver (Armie Hammer) arrives at the villa to work as an intern for Elio's dad, he immediately captures Elio's interest. As the summer progresses, an unexpected romance ignites between the two.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

The Fault in Our Stars is a standout in the indie romance genre for its heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of living with illness. It's a beloved classic that continues to touch hearts around the world, leaving a lasting impact on all who experience it. I personally go back and rewatch it every couple of years.

Based on the 2012 bestselling novel of the same name by John Green, the story revolves around Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a 16-year-old girl living with terminal thyroid cancer. Due to her mother's insistence, she decides to attend a support group for cancer patients, where she meets 17-year-old Augustus "Gus" Waters (Ansel Elgort), who is in remission after losing a leg to bone cancer.

As they bond over their shared experiences and hobbies, they develop a deep connection that blossoms into a full-blown romance. And together, they embark on an adventure to meet Hazel's favorite author in Amsterdam.