Sundance is the largest market for independent films in the world, and with good reason. Festivals have a long history of finding quirky and independent films that are a hit with audiences. 2020 saw a $17.5 million sale for the Andy Samberg comedy “Palm Springs,”It was also one of Hulu’s most popular movies. While some films fail to make it at the box office, others manage to maintain that buzz until the Oscar season. Here are a few of those that made waves in Park City and with wide audiences. All box-office figures are domestic.
Broad Green Pictures
15. “A Walk in the Woods” (2015) – $29.5 million • It’s not surprising that Robert Redford premiered a film he starred as at his festival. He also showed that he still has some box office power.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
14. “(500) Days of Summer” (2009) – $35.9 million • This indie rom-com directed by Marc Webb, which Fox Searchlight distributed to make it one the top indie hits of 2009, stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Zooey Deschanel.
Miramax
13. “In the Bedroom” (2001) – $35.9 million • “In the Bedroom”It was the first movie to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination following its Sundance premiere. The four additional nominations, including Sissy Spacek’s, Tom Wilkinson, and Marisa Tomei, were the most well-received Sundance films until the release of “Precious”2009
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
12. “Brooklyn” (2015) – $38.3 million • The period-piece romance, starring Saoirse Roan as an Irish immigrant to New York, was a hit with buyers and audiences. Another heated bidding war ensued which saw the film ultimately go to Fox Searchlight at $9 million.
Lionsgate/Amazon
11. “The Big Sick” (2017) – $42.8 million • Kumail Nanjiani’s screenplay about their romance was a hit with buyers. Amazon purchased it for $12 million. This was just behind Netflix’s acquisition of the same year. “Mudbound.”
A24
10. “Hereditary” (2018) – $44.1 million • Sundance 2018’s biggest box office hit was the midnight screening, which A24 picked up. “Hereditary”The disturbing portrayal and destructive power of grief earned it critical and public acclaim. It was also hailed by audiences and critics alike as the most memorable performance of Toni Collette.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
9. “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) – $44.5 million • The absurd, deadpan humor “Napoleon Dynamite”Jon Heder became a star and was a big hit, despite the fact that it had a modest budget of $400,000.
Lionsgate Films
8. “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ By Sapphire” (2009) – $47.6 million • Lee Daniels’ heartbreaking film “Precious”Sundance was so popular that Tyler Perry’s and Oprah’s announcements that they would lead the film’s marketing, as well as being executive producers, made a lot of waves. It made Gabourey sidibe a star, and Mo’Nique an Oscar nominee for her fiery portrayal of Precious’ cruel mother.
Amazon
7. “Manchester by the Sea” (2016) – $47.7 million • Amazon paid $10 million to obtain Kenneth Lonergan’s rights. “Manchester by the Sea.”It made the company a major player in the indie festival scene, and even won an Oscar for Lonergan’s male lead, Casey Affleck.
Gramercy
6. “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994) – $52.7 million • The beloved comedy starring Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell was produced quickly and cheaply. It was the highest-grossing British film ever made, grossing $245.7 million worldwide at the time it was released.
Lionsgate
5. “Saw” (2004) – $55.2 million • It is hard to believe that a movie which has inspired a dozen sequels made its debut at Sundance as an independent film. But Lionsgate took it home days before the festival and launched the career of James Wan.
New Line Cinema
4. “The Butterfly Effect” (2004) – $57.9 million • When Ashton Kutcher appeared at Sundance Film Festival 2004, he was at the height of his fame. Although the film received mixed reviews from critics, Kutcher’s performance was a success in the psychological thriller. It grossed $96.1 million worldwide.
Fox Searchlight
3. “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) – $59.8 million • “Little Miss Sunshine”It might be the ultimate Sundance movie, a funny, happy-go lucky family comedy about a group of people — but it will also be a huge crowd pleaser. It was purchased by Fox Searchlight for $10.5million in a fierce bidding war. This was the highest amount spent on a Sundance title at that time. It won two Oscars for Alan Arkin and received a nomination from Abigail Breslin, its child star.
Artisan
2. “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) – $140.5 million • It premiered at Sundance for the first time. “The Blair Witch Project”It was hyped up as if the actors in the movie were either “deceased”Or “missing.”The horror film was praised by critics for its ability to introduce the audience to the genre. “found footage”Artisan Films purchased the film for $1.1million. It received months of publicity and word-of-mouth attention, proving that the film was based on actual events. It was made with a budget of $60,000 and has since gone on to become one of the most popular independent films.
Universal
1. “Get Out” (2017) – $176.0 million • Jordan Peele’s debut film “Get Out”Although it was ultimately a Universal film, the movie earned its indie cred through its premier at Sundance. It then surprised audiences with its record-setting box-office run in February 2017.