It’s no secret that independent films are thriving. It's no longer subjective to say that independent screenplays, directors, and performers have produced some of the finest work of the 21st century – they've got the accolades to prove it. And NEON has been one of the frontrunners. If you’re unfamiliar with the world of independent or arthouse cinema, allow us to introduce you. At a time when streaming platforms are increasingly monopolising the industry, there’s never been a better moment to start exploring.
NEON has been operating since 2017, and has swiftly become one of the leading independent film production companies in the world. Despite being less than a decade old, it has produced some of the 21st century’s highest-grossing and most acclaimed films. Take Parasite by Bong Joon Ho, for example, which won four Academy Awards. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ho shared that NEON “saw the heart of the film and understood that it was about all of us living in our modern class-based society. I was always grateful for that.” Perhaps that’s what defines NEON – to put it simply, they just get it. It’s not only their eye for compelling storytelling, but also their sensitivity to the social and philosophical undercurrents within each film. Their foundation lies in intellectual rigger and artistic conviction, and their films invite audiences to actively engage with complex, and challenging ideas presented.
Alongside other production houses like A24, NEON has become a cultural interlocutor, shaping conversations about what cinema can and should do. In that spirit, we’re sharing some of our favourite NEON films below.
Sentimental Value
Sentimental Value is a Norwegian film that follows two sisters that come together to reunite with their estranged father. It won the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, an award bestowed by the jury for the most compelling stories in the festival, and went on to receive multiple Oscar nominations. In other words, we knew it would be incredible, and it is.
Anora
Anora won the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, and became a career-defining moment for lead Mikey Madison, who later took home Best Actress at the Oscars. The story follows Madison's character Anora, who is a young sex worker that seemingly gets her 'fairytale' ending with an Oligarch's son. Predictably, however, it all goes wrong.
Anatomy of a Fall
Another Palm d'Or winner at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Anatomy of a Fall follows a woman who is suspected in her husband's death that, you guessed it, was caused by a fall.
Parasite
NEON's highest-ever grossing film, Parasite was a pivotal moment not only for the production company, but also for non-English language films more generally. The story follows the Ki-taek’s family as they take interest in a wealthy family and get a bit too entangled in their lives.
It was just an Accident
A Palm d'Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, It was Just an Accident is a political thriller that follows a mechanic that finds a man he suspects to be his jailhouse captor from his time in an Iranian prison.
Triangle of Sadness
An extremely sharp, dark, and funny film about a celebrity couple that boards a cruise where everything goes wrong, and eventually ends in the worst possible outcome: they become stranded on a desert island. The witty script is one like no other, hilariously dark but smart. A must watch.
Longlegs
Lee Harker is a detective with psychic powers that gets put on one of the oldest cold cases in the department. But when Harker finds out she has a personal connection to the case, the story starts to twist, turn and get very dark.
Leviticus
While Leviticus hasn't technically been released yet, based on the hype and reviews off the back of its Sundance premiere, we're already accepting this might be the horror film of the year. An Australian film, the story follows two teenage boys that must escape a violent, shape-shifting entity that takes the form of each other.
The Secret Agent
This film won both Best Director and Best Actor at the Cannes film festival 2025, and lead Actor Wagner Moura went on to be nominated for an Academy Award for his performance. The story follows Marcelo who is on the run in 1977 Brazil, and looking to reunite with his son, but realises the city may be against him.
