Indie movies differ from mainstream blockbusters that populate our local theaters in that they often rely on far smaller budgets secured through small production companies and private investors. While many may argue as to which art form is better, both mainstream blockbusters and smaller indies have their merits. Indie movies may lack the spectacular special effects of Marvel or the Fast and Furious franchise. Still, there is potentially greater scope in independent movies to focus on appealing to a more niche audience through more left-field subjects and creative storytelling.
Many of today’s stars started their careers in indie movies, and while many have transitioned to mainstream cinema and never looked back, others still get the itch from time to time to revisit their roots, try something different, and showcase their versatility as actors. Here are 10 actors who have found success in both blockbusters and indie movies.
10 Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst was thrust into the limelight at a very young age, appearing as a child in the epic vampire drama Interview with the Vampire alongside the likes of Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas. She then went on to appear prominently in a slew of mainstream hits, including Jumanji and Small Soldiers. It wasn’t until 2002’s Spider-Man that she really shot to superstardom, though. Playing Peter Parker’s love interest Mary Jane, the film went on to gross over $800 million.
Dunst’s Roles Show Her Love of Indie Cinema
Since then (and between returning to the two highly successful Spider-Man sequels), Dunst has mainly been focused on indie roles, receiving praise, in particular, for her roles in the non-linear comedy-drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, alongside Jim Carrey and Elijah Wood, and Lars Von Tier’s apocalyptic drama art film Melancholia.
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9 Elijah Wood
Like Dunst, Elijah Wood’s career started as a child, with notable appearances in The Adventures of Huck Finn, Flipper, and the dark thriller The Good Son alongside fellow child star Macaulay Culkin. After appearing in the cult horror movie The Faculty, directed by Robert Rodriguez, Wood became a household name after appearing in the hugely successful Lord of the Rings trilogy in which he plays the lead character Frodo Baggins, a role he would later reprise in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
From Spider-Man to Gritty Horror Movies
While still occasionally popping up in major blockbuster movies, like voicing the animated penguin Mumble in Happy Feet 1 & 2, he’s made a concerted effort to avoid being typecast since finding success in Hollywood. Wood is a keen fan of horror B-movies, and his recent appearances in a string of low-budget gritty horror flicks, including 2012’s Maniac, the horror comedy Cooties, and the Toxic Avenger reboot, show his love of the genre.
8 Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage has appeared in over 100 movies that vary so much in style, budget, and success that it’s sometimes quite difficult to make sense of the man’s career. It is certainly safe to say that he has found success in both blockbusters and indie movies. When it comes to mainstream blockbuster success, it’s best to look back at the ’90s and early ’00s when Cage was appearing in huge action movies like The Rock, Face Off, and National Treasure. On the flip side, many of Cage’s earlier roles leaned more towards the indie side, like David Lynch’s Wild at Heart and the Coen Brother’s Raising Arizona. After his ’90s prime, Cage began appearing in more and more straight-to-DVD and VOD films, a move he later admitted, via LAD Bible, was motivated by financial reasons.
A Wonderful Career Resurgence Thanks to a Cult Following
While many of these movies were critically panned and went relatively unnoticed by mainstream audiences, certain performances did begin to garner the attention of critics and fans alike, gradually helping build Cage a cult-like following and establishing him as somewhat of a maverick in the world of acting. Completely unique and unpredictable, indie projects like the underrated Lovecraftian Color Out of Space, the psychedelic revenge horror Mandy, and his nuanced and understated performance in the compelling drama Pig have helped solidify Cage as one of the most electrifying actors of a generation.
7 Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart is probably best known for her appearances in the teen fantasy mega-blockbusters The Twilight Saga in which she takes a leading role alongside Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. While she has seen subsequent success in blockbuster roles, including Snow White in Snow White and the Huntsman, she has also proven herself a critical darling of the indie scene.
From YA Romance to Indie Standout
Flexing her acting chops and garnering universal acclaim in dramatic roles in movies like Olivier Assayas’ drama film Clouds of Sils Maria and the Princess Diana biographic movie, Spencer Stewart has proved herself a diverse talent. Stewart has also embraced darker, abstract content in her most recent roles, including the body horror film by David Cronenberg, Crimes of the Future, and the A24 erotic crime masterpiece Love Lies Bleeding.
6 Bill Murray
In the ’80s and early-’90s, Bill Murray was one of the biggest comedic actors of the time, starring in a string of successful comedy blockbusters, including Ghostbusters 1 & 2, Caddyshack, Stripes, and Groundhog Day. Since then, Murray has become known to be notoriously choosey when selecting his roles. While he has appeared in several larger-budget films, including voice roles in Garfield and Disney’s The Jungle Book, he has spent much of his time focusing on more indie projects.
From King of Comedy to Thoughtful Dramas
He has a strong working relationship with writer, director, and all-round auteur Wes Anderson, with whom he has worked on numerous movies, including Isle of Dogs, The French Despatch, The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore, and The Grand Budapest Hotel, among others. His work in independent cinema has allowed him to showcase a more dramatic side to his acting, for which he has won and been nominated for multiple awards.
5 Robert Pattinson
Thanks to The Twilight Saga and, more recently, his portrayal of iconic superhero Batman in DC’s The Batman, Robert Pattinson is one of the biggest stars of his generation. What many people might not know, however, is that Pattinson has also found huge success in independent cinema.
Has Worked with the Best in Mainstream and Indie Cinema
He received universal acclaim with Willem Dafoe for his performance in Robert Eggers’ claustrophobic horror The Lighthouse. The black-and-white movie was made for just $11 million and focuses almost entirely on Dafoe and Pattinson inside the titular lighthouse. He also wowed critics in David Cronenberg’s satirical drama Maps to The Stars and the Safdie Brothers’ gritty crime thriller Good Time. It doesn’t stop there, though, as Pattinson’s repertoire is full of indie favorites that demonstrate the versatility of his acting abilities.
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4 Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe’s breakout into the mainstream arguably came with his role as Sergeant Elias Grodin in the critically acclaimed Platoon (1986). Since then, Dafoe has appeared in numerous mainstream films, including, like many others on this list, entering the Marvel universe for his iconic and meme-making role as Norman Osborn in the Spider-Man movies. Dafoe has even dabbled in voice acting roles, appearing in two critically acclaimed films, Finding Nemo and The Boy and the Heron.
Few Actors Have the Same Range as Willem Dafoe
However, for many, Dafoe is at his most beloved when he is given complete freedom in an indie film to be as unhinged as he wants. Whether it be Bobby Peru in Wild at Heart (1990) or Thomas Wake in The Lighthouse (2019), Dafoe is at his best when he is at his most eccentric. Dafoe is also not one to shy away from controversial material, with his role in Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist (2009) putting him in compromising physical and mental positions.
3 Tilda Swinton
There is a case to be made for Tilda Swinton being the best actor of our times, with her long and diverse career in both mainstream and indie films. A defining performance from Swinton is enough to draw in an audience. The British actor has made her mark in mainstream movies like Doctor Strange (2016) and Snowpiercer (2013), which are drastically different roles.
Action, Drama, Comedy, Tilda Swinton Does it all with Ease
While a big marquee name, Tilda Swinton’s indie films often examine the actor’s ability to pick powerful, unforgettable roles. Whether it is Jim Jarmusch’s dark vampire flick Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) or the unforgettable psychological thriller We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011), Swinton shines in the lead. There are also plenty of hidden gems for those who want to dive into the best Tilda Swinton performances, such as the underappreciated exploration of trauma that she masterfully conveys in The Secret Life of Words (2005).
2 Nicole Kidman
Australian-born actress Nicole Kidman has had a remarkable career from a young age. First appearing in the b-movie BMX Bandits (1983), within a few years, she came to see significant acclaim, with her breakthrough role in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm launching her career forward and making her one of the most recognizable actors of the ’90s. Of course, her success in the mainstream would continue thanks to performances in movies like Moulin Rouge! (2001), The Hours (2002), and an appearance in the MCU as Atlanna in Aquaman (2018).
An Icon of the Screen Willing to Take Chances with Indie Films
Despite mainstream success, Nicole Kidman’s roles in Indie films have offered some of her most thought-provoking performances. This includes stand-out performances in films like the minimalist drama Dogville (2003) by auteur Lars von Trier and her supporting role in the criminally underrated thriller Stoker (2013). Kidman is also unafraid to star in controversial material, with 2004’s Birth remaining a highly debated film for its taboo and provocative nature.
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1 Mads Mikkelsen
Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is not quite a household name like the other actors listed. Still, his success in mainstream Hollywood films is unparalleled by any actor out of Demark. While most know him as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the TV series Hannibal (2013-15), he has also appeared in popular franchises in supporting roles, including the MCU, James Bond, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Fantastic Beasts.
International Star of Indie and Mainstream Movies
However, much of Mads Mikkelsen’s success is owed to films in his home country and the critical acclaim and fanfare that he garnered. This includes his gritty portrayal of the troubled and violent Tonny in the first two Pusher films by underrated director Nicolas Winding Refn. Mads Mikkelsen would also work closely with Refn in the largely silent, brooding Viking fantasy movie Valhalla Rising (2009). It is not all doom and gloom, though, as Mikkelsen has shown he can handle comedic and lighter projects, as highlighted in films like After the Wedding (2006) and Adam’s Apples (2005).
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