Although most theatrical releases are dominated by Hollywood studio projects, some independent films can often exceed box office expectations depending on critic reception. Recently, a few indie films have been garnering buzz. The first is Sundance prize winner, "The Skeleton Twins," which is off to a great start in terms of theatrical release. It still has not reached the results of Wes Anderson's latest, "The Grand Budapest Hotel," which is currently holding on to the top box office opening amongst indie films this year. Still however, there's one film that may find itself on the short list for Best Picture at this year's Oscars and that is Rick Linklater's latest coming of age epic, "Boyhood."

"It's just so interesting that people say it is kind of a different tone, because it doesn't fall into total comedy or total drama, which is so funny, because that's what life is: both. It's just funny that we all watch these stories of people's lives, and it's not just all one thing," says Kristin Wiig in a recent interview with The Huffington Post about her latest film, "The Skeleton Twins." Perhaps that tone is the reason that indie film buffs are flocking to the theaters, in addition to the desire to see Kristen Wiig and former SNL co-star Bill Hader on screen together again.

According to Deadline, "The film, directed by Craig Johnson about long-estranged and troubled twins reuniting was No. 1 in a dozen locations, said Roadside, including at indie meccas the Arclight Hollywood, The Landmark in L.A., as well as New York's Lincoln Square and the Angelika." It's one of the strongest indie film openings this year, but it doesn't come close to the latest quirky project from Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel." That film opened "with a $202,792 average in four theaters in March."

Although both of these indie films opened to strong box office numbers, neither film can compare to the overwhelming critical support for "Boyhood," which is now becoming an indie favorite to make it all the way to the Dolby theater for the Academy Awards. Indiewire predicts that based on the glowing reviews, "Boyhood" may become the first Best Picture nomination for director Rick Linklater. In fact, they call it a pretty safe bet for at least one slot in the Best Picture category.

It's too early to tell who will make it to the Oscars, but one can be sure that independent cinema is alive and well with the performance of these three films.