Sean Baker has cemented himself as one of the most important independent filmmakers of the 21st century, crafting deeply human stories about marginalized communities with raw authenticity and emotional depth.
In 2025, Baker made Oscar history with Anora, sweeping the Academy Awards with wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. His films often explore themes of economic instability, sex work, immigration, and the American Dream, all with a vibrant energy and visual realism that make them unforgettable. Here’s a ranking of every Sean Baker movie and a guide to stream all of them online.
The Florida Project (2017)
If one film defines Baker’s ability to find beauty in hardship, it’s The Florida Project. Set in a rundown motel on the outskirts of Disney World, the film follows six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her struggling mother Halley (Bria Vinaite) as they navigate the fringes of society. Willem Dafoe delivers one of his best performances as the compassionate motel manager, bridging the gap between childhood innocence and harsh reality.
The film’s documentary-like approach and use of non-actors lend it an unparalleled sense of realism, making its final moments all the more heartbreaking. Baker transforms the mundane into something magical, capturing childhood wonder amidst economic despair.
Anora (2024)
Sean Baker’s Anora not only won him his first Oscars but also solidified his place as a master storyteller. This gripping drama follows a Brooklyn stripper who becomes entangled in a whirlwind romance with the son of a powerful Russian oligarch. Through this intimate yet high-stakes story, Baker explores themes of agency, class disparity, and the commodification of love in modern America.
The film’s Oscar sweep wasn’t just a win for Baker but for independent filmmaking as a whole, proving that raw, human stories can still dominate Hollywood’s biggest stage.
Tangerine (2015)
Shot entirely on an iPhone 5S, Tangerine is the ultimate testament to Baker’s indie filmmaking spirit. The film follows two transgender sex workers, Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), as they navigate Christmas Eve in Los Angeles in search of Sin-Dee’s cheating boyfriend.
What sets it apart is its sheer empathy—Baker portrays his characters not as victims but as fully realized, hilarious, and resilient individuals. The film was groundbreaking in its representation of trans women, earning Mya Taylor an Independent Spirit Award and putting Baker on the map as a fearless storyteller.
Red Rocket (2021)
Few films tackle the toxic allure of American exceptionalism quite like Red Rocket. Simon Rex delivers a career-best performance as Mikey Saber, a washed-up adult film star who returns to his Texas hometown, manipulating those around him in pursuit of a comeback.
The film is both hilarious and unsettling, blending satire with an unflinching look at economic decay. Mikey is one of Baker’s most complex protagonists—charismatic yet repulsive, embodying the worst traits of the American Dream. Shot with a striking 16mm aesthetic, Red Rocket is an unforgettable character study that proves Baker’s ability to find comedy in the most uncomfortable places.
Prince of Broadway (2008)
An underrated Sean Baker gem, Prince of Broadway is one of Baker’s earliest films and a clear blueprint for his future work. The story follows Lucky, an undocumented Ghanaian immigrant hustling knockoff designer goods on the streets of New York, whose life is upended when an ex-girlfriend leaves a baby in his care.
What makes Prince of Broadway so compelling is its raw authenticity. Shot with handheld cameras and featuring a largely non-professional cast, it feels more like a documentary than a scripted film. Lucky’s journey is filled with both humor and heartbreak, making this one of Baker’s most heartfelt explorations of survival and fatherhood.
Starlet (2012)
Starlet follows the unlikely friendship between a struggling young adult film actress, Jane (Dree Hemingway), and an elderly woman, Sadie (Besedka Johnson), after a chance encounter at a yard sale.
While less overtly political than Baker’s later films, Starlet is a beautifully understated character study that explores loneliness, generational divides, and hidden traumas. The performances are deeply naturalistic, and Baker’s direction allows small moments to carry immense emotional weight. It may not be as widely known as Tangerine or The Florida Project, but it remains one of his most tender and introspective works.
Take Out (2004)
Co-directed with Shih-Ching Tsou, Take Out is an ultra-low-budget indie about an undocumented Chinese immigrant working as a delivery driver in New York City, trying to pay off a looming debt to smugglers.
This gritty, cinéma vérité-style film lays the foundation for Baker’s future themes: immigration struggles, economic precarity, and the overlooked corners of American life. While rough around the edges, it offers an incredibly immersive experience, placing the audience directly in the protagonist’s shoes. It’s a quiet yet powerful film that showcases Baker’s ability to tell deeply human stories with minimal resources.
Four Letter Words (2000)
Baker’s debut feature, Four Letter Words, is by far his weakest film, though it serves as an interesting starting point for his career. A low-budget drama about a group of aimless young men navigating post-high school life, it lacks the social depth and visual flair of his later works.
While the dialogue feels authentic to its time, the film suffers from meandering pacing and lacks the urgency that defines his later masterpieces. Still, as an early experiment in naturalistic storytelling, it offers glimpses of the filmmaker Baker would become.
Where to watch Sean Baker’s movies streaming online in India
Check out JustWatch’s guide to know how and where to watch Sean Baker’s moving dramas and comedies on streaming platforms in India. The list below also provides offers to buy, rent, or watch these movies for free (if available). With Anora securing his place in Oscar history, the future of his filmography is brighter than ever.
