Indie Films Make Waves at the Box Office: A Weekend Recap
This past weekend marked an exciting moment for independent cinema, with several new releases making a significant impact. Among these was the documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, which pays tribute to the rising star whose life was tragically cut short. Other noteworthy releases included Kristin Scott Thomas’ directorial debut, My Mother’s Wedding, and the quirky animated film Boys Are From Jupiter, marking Cartuna’s first foray as a distributor.
While the numbers from these indie films may not dramatically shift the summer box office landscape, which is dominated by major studio releases like Weapons and Freakier Friday, they do indicate a growing interest among moviegoers for diverse storytelling.
Leading the indie box office was Neon’s Together, a body horror film by Michael Shanks, featuring stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie. In its second week, the film garnered an impressive $2.6 million across 2,225 screens, bringing its total to $17.2 million and securing the 9th position in the box office rankings.
Another notable entry was Sketch, a TIFF-premiering adventure fantasy from Angel Studios written and directed by Seth Worley. It opened with a solid $2.5 million over the weekend on 2,157 screens, accumulating a total of $5 million and landing in the 10th spot. The film follows a single dad, played by Tony Hale, navigating the chaos unleashed by his daughter’s darkly humorous drawings that come to life, featuring performances by D’Arcy Carden, Biana Belle, Kue Lawrence, and Kalen Cox.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg, debuted to an impressive $400k across 120 theaters. The documentary features never-before-seen footage and heartfelt stories from those who knew Buckley, who left behind a legacy of music and a devoted fanbase after his untimely death at 30. Magnolia Pictures reported enthusiastic, sold-out screenings nationwide, highlighting the enduring appeal of Buckley’s music and Berg’s compelling storytelling. Specific markets, such as New York City, Orange County, and Memphis, showed particularly strong performances, with some fans returning for multiple showings.
Cartuna’s Boys Go To Jupiter, co-distributed with Irony Point, debuted exclusively at New York’s IFC Center, earning a remarkable $15k, achieving the highest opening weekend average for an animated film this year. This Tribeca Festival selection features a talented comedic voice cast, including Julio Torres and Janeane Garofalo. The story follows a teenager in suburban Florida whose winter break takes a wild turn with the arrival of an extraterrestrial creature.
Kristin Scott Thomas’ My Mother’s Wedding opened to a commendable $432k across 402 screens, showcasing solid performances in upscale markets like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in cities like Kansas City and Dallas.
Meanwhile, Roadside Attractions launched the horror film Strange Harvest, directed by Stuart Ortiz, to $214k at 770 locations. The chilling narrative follows detectives as they hunt for a sadistic serial killer connected to otherworldly crimes.
In addition, filmmaker Hind Meddeb’s poignant documentary Sudan, Remember Us opened to $6.6k at two locations, with sold-out screenings in New York City. The film has received critical acclaim, boasting a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is set to expand to key markets, including Los Angeles next Friday.
Lastly, Oscilloscope Labs’ CatVideoFest 2025 continued to perform well, earning $143k in its second week for a total of $680k across 78 screens.
This weekend’s indie box office results demonstrate a vibrant appetite for diverse cinematic experiences, showcasing the power of storytelling across various genres and formats.
