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Most Popular British Indie 2023

An exceptional year for British cinema; captured in our collection of the year's most popular.

It’s the year of the new. Names like Oakley, Edwards, Campbell and Regan told forceful stories of ordinary people. Privilege and power yielded to a focus on real and recognisable lives. The workers rose up.

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Blue JeanBlue Jean

Drama202297 minsDirector: Georgia Oakley

A closeted PE teacher reckons with her identity during Thatcherite Britain in Georgia Oakley’s delicate yet gripping BAFTA-nominated debut.

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ScrapperScrapper

Comedy202390 minsDirector: Charlotte Regan

A gorgeous and colourful heart-warming gem from Charlotte Regan, one of the best new voices in British film.

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God's CreaturesGod's Creatures

Drama2022100 minsDirector: Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer

Paul Mescal and Emily Watson star in this gripping Irish psychological drama that asks how far you might go to protect someone you love.

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Enys MenEnys Men

Horror202291 minsDirector: Mark Jenkin

Mark Jenkin follows Bait with this chilling, endlessly mysterious folk horror tale, beautifully shot on grainy 16mm.

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Pretty Red DressPretty Red Dress

Drama2022110 minsDirector: Dionne Edwards

One dress changes everything for a family in Dionne Edwards’ brilliant debut. Defiant, uplifting and with music at its core.

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LOLALOLA

Science Fiction202279 minsDirector: Andrew Legge

Two sisters in WWII Britain invent a machine that can decode TV broadcasts from the future, in this irresistible found-footage sci-fi that buzzes with timeless ingenuity.

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Nil by MouthNil by Mouth

Drama1997129 minsDirector: Gary Oldman

Twenty-five years old and newly restored, Gary Oldman’s BAFTA-winning debut as writer-director remains a magnificent achievement.

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Lady MacbethLady Macbeth

Period drama201789 minsDirector: William Oldroyd

Florence Pugh shines in this exceptional British debut of a young wife's need for freedom, whatever the cost.

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BeastBeast

Drama2018106 minsDirector: Michael Pearce

The hunt for a Jersey serial killer sparks a dangerous awakening in a young woman (Jessie Buckley, in her feature debut) in this astonishing psycho-sexual thriller, which sets all the senses aflame.

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MuscleMuscle

Drama2019111 minsDirector: Gerard Johnson

A directionless call centre salesman gets more than he bargained for when he joins a local gym, in Gerard Johnson's stunning dissection of masculinity.

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All My Friends Hate MeAll My Friends Hate Me

Comedy202294 minsDirector: Andrew Gaynord

A deliciously dark comedy about social paranoia that will have you joyfully squirming in your seat.

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Dance CrazeDance Craze

Documentary198189 minsDirector: Joe Massot

Legendary concert film that brilliantly captures the cultural phenomenon that was the 2 Tone movement, and showcases the very best of the British Ska revival.

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Deep EndDeep End

Drama197092 minsDirector: Jerzy Skolimowski

Jerzy Skolimowski’s darkly comic and utterly compelling story of teenage infatuation in a run-down swimming pool.

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Bullet BoyBullet Boy

Drama200586 minsDirector: Saul Dibb

Ashley Walters impresses in the hard-hitting Hackney drama that’s still one of the best of Britain’s black urban crime films.

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I Am WeekenderI Am Weekender

Anthology202372 minsDirector: Wiz and Chloé Raunet

Groundbreaking 1992 music film Weekender, coupled with Chloé Raunet’s documentary about the making of the film and its enduring impact, offering a unique insight into the heart of acid house.

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Days of the Bagnold SummerDays of the Bagnold Summer

Comedy201986 minsDirector: Simon Bird

Simon Bird’s directorial debut is a warm and witty graphic novel adaptation about a single librarian trying to reconnect with her introverted, metalhead teenage son.

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Ray & LizRay & Liz

Drama2018104 minsDirector: Richard Billingham

In this astonishingly personal film, artist Richard Billingham delves into his Black Country upbringing to recreate visceral family memories and desperate living in Thatcher’s Britain.

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Name Me LawandName Me Lawand

Documentary202290 minsDirector: Edward Lovelace

Edward Lovelace explores the power of communication and community with this rapturous portrait of a young deaf Kurdish boy.

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JustineJustine

Drama202182 minsDirector: Jamie Patterson

A young woman struggles with her demons, in this arresting sophomore feature from Tucked (Flare 2019) director Jamie Patterson.

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Flux GourmetFlux Gourmet

Comedy2022112 minsDirector: Peter Strickland

This darkly comic tale from Peter Strickland and recipient of seven BIFA nominations, is a fantastic feast for the senses, starring Asa Butterfield and Gwendoline Christie.

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The AppointmentThe Appointment

Horror198189 minsDirector: Lindsey C. Vickers

An evil and enigmatic entity throws a family into turmoil in Lindsey C. Vickers' much sought-after cult horror.

Discover more in our Most Popular World Cinema 2023 collection.

Discover more in our Most Popular LGBTQIA+ 2023 collection.