Superhero and animated movies like "Deadpool 2" and "Incredibles 2" may rule the summer box office every year, but some impressive indie movies can also manage to break through the crowd.

This year saw first-time directors deliver a chilling horror and a coming-of-age drama, as well as three crowd-and-critic pleasing documentaries, make noise.

These movies can go under the radar among the blockbusters, but 2018 has been a good year for movies at the box office, including the smaller films.

These are the seven highest-grossing indie movies this summer, according to box-office analytical service Exhibitor Relations.

Below are the seven highest-grossing indies at the US box office in summer 2018: