Highest-Grossing Independent Film Series by Box Office Revenue

Starting with a modest budget, this action series has evolved into a global phenomenon, earning over $870 million worldwide. Its intricate choreography and world-building have revitalized the action genre, proving that high-concept indie concepts can achieve blockbuster scale through strong word-of-mouth and dedicated fanbases.

Although the first film is a singular massive success earning $248 million, subsequent entries in the expanded universe contribute to its legacy. It pioneered the modern found-footage craze and demonstrated the unprecedented marketing power of internet-based campaigns for low-budget independent horror.

This horror series generated over $950 million globally, starting from a micro-budget of $15,000. It remains the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time, showcasing the financial viability of minimalist production techniques and suspense-driven narratives that rely on atmosphere rather than expensive special effects.

With global earnings exceeding $560 million, this supernatural horror series has become a staple of independent cinema success. Produced by Blumhouse, it utilizes cost-effective scares and compelling lore to build a dedicated following, consistently delivering profitable sequels with modest budgets relative to their returns.

Originating from a single low-budget film, the series has grossed over $870 million globally. It revolutionized the slasher genre with its intricate traps and moral dilemmas, maintaining high commercial viability through a mix of theatrical releases and direct-to-video sequels that expanded its narrative universe.

As a standalone film within the Jordan Peele universe, it earned over $255 million against a $4.5 million budget. While technically a single entry, its massive success launched a thematic franchise of social thrillers, establishing a new benchmark for independent horror-comedy hybrid films in terms of profitability and cultural impact.

Though anchored by studio distribution, its roots are in independent supernatural thrillers, earning over $2.2 billion globally. This expansive universe includes multiple standalone films and spin-offs, demonstrating how a core independent concept can be scaled into a multi-billion dollar franchise through shared lore and character crossovers.

While a standalone film, it is part of A24's growing collection of high-profile indie successes. Earning over $47 million against a $9 million budget, it represents the modern indie horror trend of elevating niche genres into mainstream cultural conversations through A24's distinctive marketing and aesthetic branding.

This psychological horror film earned over $278 million globally, serving as a bridge between independent production and franchise potential. It showcased the commercial viability of psychological thrillers with star power, leading to a sequel that further expanded its narrative and solidified its status as a notable indie hit.

With a budget of only $2 million, this Australian independent film earned over $10 million globally. It established a strong cult following and critical acclaim, proving that independent psychological horror can achieve international recognition and long-tail revenue through streaming rights and home video sales.

This found-footage horror film grossed over $87 million on a $3 million budget, becoming one of the most profitable indie horror releases. Its success highlighted the market demand for scary, atmosphere-driven narratives, cementing its place in the canon of high-yield independent cinema.

This South Korean independent monster film earned over $200 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing South Korean film of its time. It demonstrated that non-English independent productions could achieve massive international box office success through universal themes and groundbreaking visual effects.

Shots entirely on an iPhone, this indie comedy-drama earned over $1.3 million against a $100,000 budget. It represents the democratization of filmmaking, showing that high-quality storytelling and innovative production techniques can yield profitable results without traditional camera equipment or large crews.

This independent drama earned over $2 million on a $500,000 budget, gaining critical acclaim for its visual composition and dialogue. It exemplifies the success of character-driven indie films that rely on strong scripts and architectural aesthetics to attract niche audiences and festival recognition.

Acquired by Netflix for a significant sum after its festival run, this film earned substantial revenue through streaming rights. It highlights the modern indie landscape where theatrical box office is just one component, with digital platforms providing crucial financial returns for dark, heavy dramas.

This independent drama grossed over $65 million globally on a $1.5 million budget, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Its success underscores the commercial and critical power of intimate, identity-focused narratives, inspiring a new wave of indie productions centered on underrepresented voices.

Although produced by a major distributor in Korea, its global breakout success was driven by its independent spirit and originality. Earning over $258 million, it became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture, redefining the box office potential for foreign-language indie cinema.

With a budget of $25 million, this indie sci-fi comedy grossed over $143 million worldwide, winning seven Oscars. It demonstrated the viability of high-concept, multiverse storytelling in the independent sector, proving that original, bizarre ideas can achieve mainstream blockbuster status with the right execution.

Produced with an independent budget, this film earned over $50 million globally and won three Academy Awards. It showcases the appeal of contemplative, character-driven narratives in an era dominated by franchises, proving that mature, slow-burn stories can still generate significant box office returns.

This independent coming-of-age comedy earned over $79 million on a $10 million budget, launching Greta Gerwig's directing career. It exemplifies the success of relatable, dialogue-heavy indie films that connect with audiences through authentic emotional experiences, generating substantial profit through strong theatrical runs.