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‘Get Out’ (2016)
Best known for his comedy, Jordan Peele surprised Sundance with the runaway hit “Get Out” – his directorial debut. With critics calling it one of the best films of the year, the horror flick wowed in Park City, building a lasting buzz that would take the movie and its star Daniel Kaluuya all the way through awards season.
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'Little Miss Sunshine' (2006)
The feel-good drama about an oddball family is one of the biggest business deals in Sundance history with Fox shelling out big money for "Little Miss Sunshine". It proved to be a very good deal – the movie banked nearly $60 million at the box office and nabbed two Oscars.
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'Heathers' (1989)
Edgy, bold and decidedly not politically correct, the audacious "Heathers" arrived at Sundance as the anti-John Hughes movie. Now considered a cult classic, the Winona Ryder and Christian Slater black comedy paved the way for wannabes and set the tone for "Mean Girls" and "Clueless".
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'Whiplash' (2014)
"Whiplash" would go on to earn three Oscars, but its buzz began building after its Sundance premiere. Director Damien Chazelle's ("La La Land") first major feature, "Whiplash" is full of kinetic energy, explosive pressure and stand-out performances from eventual Best Supporting Actor Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller.
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'Saw' (2004)
In a year that also saw Sundance debut Zach Braff's hipster opus "Garden State" and indie comedy "Napoleon Dynamite", the first of the now-ubiquitous horror franchise premiered. Original, twisted and shocking "Saw" wowed audiences and critics alike, going on to make over $100 million at the box office and launched seven sequels.
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'Four Weddings And A Funeral' (1994)
Hugh Grant has made a career out of playing the spluttering and charming Englishman all thanks to the breakout success of "Four Weddings And A Funeral" in 1994 which made Grant a major star. One Best Picture Oscar nomination later, the hilarious romcom is one of Sundance's greatest commercial success stories.
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'Man On Wire' (2008)
Sundance has long been a showcase for documentaries – think the inspiring "Hoop Dreams", Michael Moore's "Rogers And Me", Werner Herzog's look at man vs. nature "Grizzly Man" - and in 2008, daredevil tightrope walker Philippe Petit's petrifying and daring attempt to walk between the twin towers of the newly-completed World Trade Center in 1974, launched its prestigious awards run at Sundance. "Man On Wire" would go on to win both a BAFTA and an Oscar for Best Documentary Film.
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'Once' (2007)
A decade after its Sundance premiere, "Once" is still a captivating modern romance filled to the brim with heart-achingly perfect songs. Stars Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won an Oscar for Best Song for "Falling Slowly" and the indie movie launched both a tour and stage musical. Steven Spielberg was a big fan of the film, saying it gave him "inspiration."
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'Reservoir Dogs' (1992)
"Reservoir Dogs" launched the career of Quentin Tarantino. After a small release in the U.K., his violent, quick-talking, fast-paced heist flick left audiences and critics speechless as a prime example of what independent modern filmmaking could be like.
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'Blood Simple' (1984)
The first film by Joel and Ethan Coen, "Blood Simple" was a modern noir thriller that helped boost Sundance's profile as an important festival. The fest has become known for discovering exciting new talent and "Blood Simple" is an early example, launching the careers of one of the most well-regarded filmmaking duos in Hollywood, as well as star Frances McDormand and the film's cinematographer, Barry Sonnenfeld who would go on to direct blockbusters like "Men In Black" and "Get Shorty".
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'(500) Days Of Summer' (2009)
The deconstructed romantic comedy looks at the highs and lows and eventual breakdown of a relationship between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the ultimate manic pixie dream girl Zooey Deschannel. The wistful movie comes complete with a fun musical number to Hall & Oates. The film boosted director Marc Webb's profile and led him to "The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man" and the film's writing duo went on to helm YA weepers "The Spectacular Now" and "The Fault In Our Stars".
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'American Psycho' (2000)
Long before he was Batman, Christian Bale was Patrick Bateman, the cold, shallow sociopathic Wall Street investor in Mary Harron's "American Psycho". Visceral and horrifying, the movie was one of former child star Bale's first truly adult roles, showcasing his depth and range as an actor.
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‘Hereditary’ (2018)
The slow-burning and unsettling “Hereditary” wowed even the most experienced horror fans with one shocking turn after another. With a career-best performance from Toni Collette as a grieving mother, the creepy debut from director Ari Aster built and sustained its buzz from its Sundance debut as one of this generation's scariest films.
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'Before Sunrise' (1995)
It's no wonder "Before Sunrise" is oft-cited as one of the most romantic movies of all time. Earnest, moving and well, cool, Richard Linklater's indie drama starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke as star-crossed lovers would spawn two sequels and Oscar nominations.
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'The Usual Suspects' (1995)
Based on an expertly executed script by Christopher McQuarrie, Bryan Singer's second film, "The Usual Suspects" became a pop culture phenomenon, netting an Oscar for both its star Kevin Spacey and writer McQuarrie. While the movie won over critics and audience members, it had one very famous detractor – Roger Ebert, who placed "The Usual Suspects" on his "Most Hated" list in 1995.
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'The Blair Witch Project' (1999)
It may seem dated now but "The Blair Witch Project" launched a thousand viral videos and set the tone for how to market a movie in the 21st century. The word-of-mouth indie hit nabbed an unheard-of $248 million at the worldwide box office and paved the way for shaky cam, visceral found-footage horror.
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'Memento' (2000)
His name is now synonymous with dark, gritty big budget movies, but Christopher Nolan was an unknown 30-year-old Brit when the twisty "Memento" bowed at the Venice Film Festival before heading to TIFF. Unlike the other well-known films on the list, "Memento" capped off its successful festival run at Sundance in 2001, winning the screenwriting award as buzz surrounding the film reached a fever pitch. Told in reverse-chronological order, the puzzling thriller gained more than enough momentum to win back its miniscule production budget and earn two Oscar nominations in the process.
Fox Searchlight
Anchor Bay
Mongrel Media
Maple Pictures
MGM
Mongrel Media
Fox Searchlight
Maple Pictures
MGM
Fox Searchlight
Maple Pictures
Elevation Pictures
Sony Pictures
MGM
Alliance Atlantis
Alliance Atlantis
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