Indie Films Thrive: Jeff Buckley Documentary and More Shine at Box Office

This weekend, independent films made a notable impact at the specialty box office, showcasing a variety of unique stories and strong audience engagement.
Indie Films Shine at the Specialty Box Office
This weekend saw a strong performance from new independent films, including the documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, which chronicles the life of the talented musician who passed away too soon. Other notable releases included Kristin Scott Thomas’ directorial debut My Mother’s Wedding and the quirky animated feature Boys Are From Jupiter, marking Cartuna’s first venture as a distributor. While these numbers may not significantly impact the summer box office, dominated by major studio releases like Weapons and Freakier Friday, they reflect a diverse interest among moviegoers.
Top Indie Performers
Leading the indie box office, Together, a body horror film by Michael Shanks featuring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, grossed $2.6 million in its second week across 2,225 screens, bringing its total to $17.2 million and securing the no. 9 position.
New Releases Making Waves
The TIFF-premiering Sketch, directed by Seth Worley and produced by Angel Studios, opened to $2.5 million on 2,157 screens, totaling $5 million and landing at no. 10. The film follows a single dad (Tony Hale) whose daughter’s darkly humorous drawings come to life, causing chaos in their small town.
Magnolia Pictures’ It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, directed by Oscar-nominated Amy Berg, debuted impressively with $400k from 120 theaters. The documentary showcases Jeff Buckley’s life, featuring never-before-seen footage and personal stories from those close to him. Magnolia reported enthusiastic, sold-out screenings nationwide, underscoring the lasting impact of Buckley’s music and Berg’s compelling storytelling.
Fan Engagement and Market Performance
It’s encouraging to see that nearly every city reported some level of success. Buckley’s fans are clearly engaged, with many returning for multiple viewings and excited about limited edition posters designed by Jess Rotter. Notable markets like New York City, Orange County, and Memphis performed well, with strong grosses in cities like Houston, Sacramento, and Orlando.
Cartuna’s Debut and Future Prospects
The animated feature Boys Go To Jupiter, Cartuna’s inaugural theatrical release, opened at New York’s IFC Center with an impressive $15k, marking the best opening weekend average for an animated film this year. The Tribeca Festival selection features a comedic voice cast and follows a teenager in Florida who faces unexpected challenges when a strange creature arrives.
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Director Julian Glander’s debut exceeded expectations, with multiple sold-out screenings and positive critical reception. Cartuna co-founder James Belfer praised Glander as an authentic artist, emphasizing the film’s success as a sign of the emerging wave of unique storytelling in cinema.
Additional Releases and Box Office Insights
Vertical Entertainment’s My Mother’s Wedding debuted with $432k across 402 screens, performing well in upscale markets. The film, featuring Kristin Scott Thomas, Scarlett Johansson, and Sienna Miller, showed strong numbers in cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as in non-coastal areas.
Roadside Attractions’ horror film Strange Harvest, directed by Stuart Ortiz, opened to $214k at 770 locations, while Hind Meddeb’s documentary Sudan, Remember Us garnered $6.6k at two locations, with sold-out screenings and positive reviews. The documentary highlights the power of creativity in the face of adversity.
In holdover news, Oscilloscope Labs’ CatVideoFest 2025 earned $143k in its second week, bringing its total to $680k.