Australia is the true home to cinema, as the country-continent boasts of being the origin of the world’s first-ever feature film- The True Story of the Kelly Gang. Apart from being arguably the most beautiful place on Mother Earth, Australia is a pillar that the world depends upon for its cinematic brilliance.
Various big-name actors have their roots in Australia. Some examples include Hugh Jackman, the wonderful man who has cemented his place in everyone’s heart as Logan, aka “The Wolverine,” and Chris Hemsworth, the mighty Thor.
Not to forget Margot Robbie, David Gulpilil, Ben Mendelsohn, Sam Worthington, and Nicole Kidman, all of whom have had the lustrous career they desired since coming to the big picture from the roots of Australia.
And, of course, the legendary Heath Ledger, the one man who took the already perfect character of Joker to a mind-blowing another level as he received the Oscar for his role as the caped crusader’s archenemy.
Best Movies from Australia
Here are the absolute top films from the Australian cinema that will keep the viewers wanting even more.
Australia
Australia was directed by Baz Luhrmann and starred Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman in the leading roles. The film was released in the final months of 2008 and was produced by Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Knapman, and G. Mac Brown.
The film follows a young woman of English origins who decides to go to Australia and save a property that belonged to her from various individuals who wish to sell the cattle station to make a profit for themselves.
During the process, the lady falls for a local cattle stockman, and the man helps her save the property she inherited.
The film starred David Wenham, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, David Gulpilil, Brandon Walters, and Ben Mendelsohn in some other major roles, and David Ngoombujarra, Essie Davis, Barry Otto, Kerry Walker, Sandy Gore, Lillian Crombie, Ursula Yovich and Max Cullen along with several others in supporting roles.
Australia is a lovely movie and is adventurous right from its first frame till its last. The movie is a good recommendation for anyone looking for an epic adventure film and is available for viewers to watch on Apple TV.
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Rabbit-Proof Fence was released in 2002 and was based on a 1996 book by Doris Pilkington Garimara titled “Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence.” The movie revolves around Molly Craig, Gracie, and Daisy Kadibil, girls from indigenous tribes of Australia who escape from their captives to return to their families.
The girls walk along the Australian rabbit-proof fence for more than 2000 kilometers while evading the pursuing authorities as they wish to see their departed loved ones once again.
The movie starred Everlyn Sampi as Molly Craig, Tianna Sansbury as Daisy Kadibil, and Laura Monoghan as Gracie in the leading roles.
Rabbit-Proof Fence was directed by Phillip Noyce and also starred David Gulpilil, Jason Clarke, Kenneth Branagh, Gary McDonald, Roy Billing, Natasha Wanganeen, and several others in supporting roles.
Rabbit-Proof Fence is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert, was directed by Stephen Elliot and was released in 1994. The film starred Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce in the leading roles, who pose as drag queens as they take their show on the move from Sydney to Alice Springs.
The movie also starred Terence Stamp and Bill Hunter in major roles, and Sarah Chadwick, Daniel Kellie, Leighton Picken, Stephan Elliot, Margaret Pomeranz, Julia Cortez, Ken Radley, and Mark Holmes, alongside numerous others in supporting roles.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert, is filled with comedy elements and holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and also won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
The film is a must-watch for its entertaining screenplay and is accessible for viewers to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
This Little Love of Mine
This Little Love of Mine was directed by Christine Luby and was released in 2021. The movie starred Saskia Hampele, Liam McIntyre, Lynn Gilmartin, and Sam Arnold in the leading roles and followed a prolific lawyer who returns to her childhood island to persuade her friend to be the sole heir of his family’s company.
The movie also starred Marshal Betzel, Lennox Broadley, Zara Goodman, James Blee, Craig Horner, Monette Lee, Lawrence Ola, Jessi Robertson, Sophie Tilson, Rajan Velu, Tiriel Mora and Sarah Woods in supporting roles.
The film is recommended for a romantic evening and is full of scenery. This Little Love of Mine is available to watch on Netflix.
Muriel’s Wedding
Muriel’s Wedding focuses on a young woman preparing for her big day as she is set to marry a man and move from her small town to the Emerald city, Sydney. However, the woman feels awkward about her marriage as she never had a date till her wedding, and so she is filled with both excitement and nervousness.
The film was directed by P.J. Hogan and was released in 1994. Toni Collette, Jeanie Drynan, Sophie Lee, and Bill Hunter were the members in the leading roles, and Rachel Griffiths, Genevieve Picot, Gennie Nevinson, Daniel Lapaine, Roz Hammond, Belinda Jarett, Daniel Wyllie, Gabby Millgate, Chris Haywood, Cintra Bedford, and Matt Day were some of the many members of the supporting cast.
Muriel’s Wedding was loved overwhelmingly upon its arrival and was even nominated for numerous awards. The movie was also praised for its screenplay and the performances of the various cast members, especially for Toni Collette, as she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Motion Picture.
Viewers can enjoy Muriel’s Wedding on Amazon Prime Video with a Paramount+ subscription.
Charlie’s Country
Charlie’s Country was directed by Rolf de Heer and starred David Gulpilil in the lead role. The movie revolves around Charlie, a native of Australia who fears the rapid development in the Country is the root cause of the diminishing local culture.
The film was released in 2013 and was well-received by viewers and critics alike when it arrived. The movie has an honorable 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for its storyline.
The supporting members in Charlie’s Country include Luke Ford, Jennifer Budukpuduk Gaykamangu, Gary Sweet, Peter Minygululu, and Ritchie Singer, along with various others.
The movie saw David Gulpilil win the Best Actor Award at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival for his portrayal of Charlie. The movie was also nominated for various awards and is available for viewers to enjoy on Amazon Prime Video.
The Babadook
The Babadook was directed by Jennifer Kent and was released in 2014. The globally popular horror movie starred Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman in the leading roles as her mother and son duo.
The movie’s plot revolves around Amelia Vanek, a single mother who must help her son, Samuel Vanek, overcome his fear of a monster being present inside the house they live in.
Apart from Essie and Noah, the film also starred Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney, Ben Winspear, and Barbara West in other prominent roles in the film. The Babadook was based on a short film by Jennifer Kent, which was released in 2005 and was titled “Monster.”
The Babadook was a massive hit at the box office as well, as it became a widely beloved movie due to its storyline. The movie is available for viewers to enjoy on Amazon Prime Video.
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True History of The Kelly Gang
Directed by Justin Kurzel, True History of the Kelly Gang was released in 2019 and was based on a novel sharing the same name as the movie, which was written by Peter Carey.
The film is based on the life of Ned Kelly and how he makes his gang one of the top dogs in the Country. This makes the Kelly gang a target, and hence, a cat-and-mouse chase starts between the authorities and the members of the gang.
The film starred George MacKay as the leader Ned Kelly, and Orlando Schwerdt, Russell Crowe, Essie Davis, and Nicholas Hoult in other prominent roles.
The supporting cast includes the likes of Sean Keenan, Thomasin McKenzie, Marlon Williams, Claudia Karvan, Earl Cave, Louis Hewison, and Gentle Ben Corbett, alongside various others.
The movie has a decent 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for its depiction of the gang’s past. The film is recommended for anyone looking for criminal drama and is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
The Dry
The Dry followed Aaron Falk, a federal agent who returns to his hometown to attend a funeral after his childhood friend dies.
However, the deceased man is reported to have killed his wife and his son before taking his own life, leaving behind a very young baby daughter. Aaron decides to solve the mystery and give his deceased friend the justice he deserves.
The movie was directed by Robert Connolly and was released in 2020. The Dry was based on a book by Jane Harper, which had the same title as the movie and was released in 2016.
The film starred Eric Bana as the agent Aaron Falk, and Martin Dingle-Wall as his dead friend Luke Hadler, alongside Genevieve O’Reilly, John Polson, and Keir O’Donnell in leading roles.
The supporting members of the cast include Joe Klocek, Claude Scott-Mitchell, Bebe Bettencourt, Sam Corlett, Matt Nable, Renee Lim, Eddie Baroo, and Miranda Tapsell, along with several others.
The film has an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been well-praised for its storyline. The Dry is available to watch on Hulu.
Toomelah
Toomelah was directed by Ivan Sen and was released in 2011. The film starred Daniel Connors, Michael Connors, and Christopher Edwards in the leading roles. The film focuses on a young boy who gets suspended from his school and sets off on a journey to become a member of a drug dealing gang that operates in his town.
The film also starred Dorothy Cubby, Alex Haines, Aunty Sharon and Aunty Margery Binge, Tyericq Jiko, Daniela Connors, Lauren McGrady, and numerous others in supporting roles.
Toomelah was well-praised for its storyline and the performances of the various actors in it. The movie also has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is recommended for anyone looking for a typical drama film featuring the growth of the main character.
Toomelah is available for viewers on Amazon Prime Video.
Top End Wedding
Top End Wedding was directed by Wayne Blair and was released in 2019. The film follows Lauren, a lawyer who has been anticipating her wedding for a long time but certain circumstances and the disappearance of her mother just a few days before her big day lead to comic mishaps.
The film starred Miranda Tapsell and Gwilym Lee in the leading roles, and the story was proposed by Joshua Tyler, Glen Condie, and Miranda Tapsell herself. Top End Wedding was also appreciated for its storyline and the performances of the various actors in the movie.
The film starred Kerry Fox, Brooklyn Doomadgee, Ursula Yovich, Tierney White, Tracy Mann, Matt Crook, Rob Collins, Huw Higginson, Travis Jeffrey, and various other celebrities in supporting roles.
Top End Wedding has a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been a fan favorite since its arrival in 2019. The movie is recommended for rom-com lovers and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Beneath Clouds
Beneath Clouds was directed by Ivan Sen and starred Damian Pitt and Dannielle Hall in the leading roles in the film. The movie’s plot revolves around two individuals with very drastic differences in their personalities who set on a journey to meet their desired outcomes.
The movie was released in 2002 and was heavily appreciated by viewers and critics upon its release and was nominated for various big-league awards and even won several of them.
Beneath Clouds is a great choice for drama lovers as the movie is full of dramatic elements and is available for viewers to watch on Amazon Prime Video by either renting or buying.
Jindabyne
Jindabyne was directed by Ray Lawrence and follows a group of friends who end up in a critical situation as they find the dead body of a girl. To make things worse, the group fails to report the incident due to several reasons.
This choice leads to the group facing several repercussions as situations get worse and the drama increases. The movie starred Gabriel Byrne, Laura Linney, and John Howard in the leading roles and was released in 2006.
The supporting members of the cast include Deborra-Lee Furness, Chris Haywood, Eva Lazzaro, Leah Purcell, Simon Stone, Tatea Reilly, Simon Stone, Riley von Husen, and Betty Lucas, along with numerous others.
The film is a good ride right from its start and offers several dramatic moments, and is recommended for drama lovers with a little pinch of thrill. Jindabyne is available for viewers to either rent or buys on Amazon Prime Video.
Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here starred Felicity Price, Teresa Palmer, Joel Edgerton, and Antony Starr in the leading roles. The movie follows a couple who are in for a lovely vacation.
However, due to certain situations and a few wrong decisions, the vacation turns tragic for the couple as they dislocate themselves from the wavelength that they earlier shared.
The film was directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith and was released in 2012. The film was produced by Angie Fielder and was heartily loved for its dramatic elements and a certain mystery that revolves around the characters in the film.
Wish You Were Here is accessible for viewers to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Mad Bastards
Mad Bastards was directed by Brendan Fletcher and was released in 2011. The movie starred Dean Daley-Jones and Lucas Yeeda in the leading roles.
The central plot of the movie follows a police officer who wishes only the best for the youth of his community. The film also starred Karla Hart, Alan Pigram, Greg Tait, John Watson, Ngaire Pigram, Kelton Pell, Douglas Macale, Alex Lloyd, and Patrick McCoy-Geary, alongside several others in supporting roles.
Mad Bastards was nominated for several awards, including nominations for several AACTA Awards, ADG Awards, APRA Music Awards, and various others as well. The movie has its fair share of dramatic elements and is recommended for a movie marathon.
Mad Bastards is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
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Satellite Boy
Satellite Boy was directed by Catriona McKenzie and followed Pete, who lives with his grandfather and goes through several setbacks as certain circumstances lead him to face numerous hardships.
The movie starred David Gulpilil and Cameron Wallaby in the leading roles, and Joseph Pedley, Dean Daley-Jones, Callum McKenzie, Dougie McCale, Pam Barett, Greg Tait, Jarunba-Mark Weaver, Dolores Roberts, Kaylene Marr, Richard Evans along with several others as members of the supporting cast.
Satellite Boy was released in 2012 and was loved by viewers upon its arrival. The movie also has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is a great choice for adventure admirers who love watching drama.
The film is available to watch on Apple TV.
Don’s Party
Don’s Party was directed by Bruce Beresford and was released in 1976. The movie follows Don, who throws a party where his friends discuss various everyday activities that they indulge in.
The cast members of the movie include John Hargreaves, Graham Kennedy, Pat Bishop, Ray Barett, Graeme Blundell, Veronica Lang, Harold Hopkins, John Gorton, Bruce Beresford, and Malcolm Mackerras, among several others.
Don’s Party is a great choice for anyone looking to see what parties back in the day looked like and is available for viewers to either rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
The Castle
The Castle was directed by Rob Sitch and was released in 1997. The movie starred Michael Caton, Anthony Simcoe, Wayne Hope, Sophie Lee, and Anne Tenney in the leading roles.
The film follows a popular family who takes on the government and various officials when the authorities give out an order for the family to vacate their ancestral home.
The Castle also starred Ian Ross, John Flaus, Larry Emdur, Tony Martin, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, Tiriel Mora, and Costas Kilias alongside several others in supporting roles. The film also enjoyed a massive 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was a success at the box office as well.
The Castle is available for viewers to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Little Fish
Little Fish was directed by Chad Hartigan and was released in 2020. The film was based on a short story sharing the same name as the movie, which was published by Aja Gabel.
The movie stars Olivia Cooke, Raul Castillo, Soko, and Jack O’Connell and follows a couple who struggle to hold their feelings together and stay strong when a virus spreads that makes the people forget their beloved moments and makes them lose their memory.
Little Fish has a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is a decent choice for anyone looking for dramatic romance lovers and is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom was directed by David Michod and was released in 2010. The movie starred Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, James Frecheville, Luke Ford, Jacki Weaver, and Sullivan Stapleton in the major roles.
The film follows a teen who moves in with his relatives after his mother dies. The broken teen is recovering from his loss, but to his surprise, he comes to know about a well-kept secret from his new family.
The movie was critically acclaimed and was well appreciated for its storyline and the performances of its various actors, especially the performance of Jacki Weaver, which saw her being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Animal Kingdom has a flair-filled 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is recommended for crime-drama lovers. The film is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Girl Asleep
Girl Asleep was directed by Rosemary Myers and was released in 2015. The movie was inspired by a play by Matthew Whittet, which shared the same title as the movie.
The film follows a teenage girl named Greta who faces body shaming by her peers as she celebrates her 15th birthday. The girl gets drawn into an alternate dimension and fights for her life as she survives the different creatures who attack her.
Girl Asleep starred Bethany Whitmore and Harrison Feldman in the leading roles and Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Grace Dawson, Lucy Cowan, Danielle Catanzariti, Maiah Stewardson, Amber McMahon, Eamon Farren, Imogen Archer, and Grace Dawson in supporting roles.
The film has a respectable 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is recommended for someone who likes adventure movies with a taste for drama.
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Storm Boy
Storm Boy was directed by Shawn Seet and starred Geoffrey Rush in the titular role and Jai Courtney, Trevor Jamieson, Morgan Davies, David Gulpilil, Simone Annan, and Luca Asta in the leading roles.
The film’s story revolves around Storm Boy, a young boy who lives in a backward area near the coastline of Australia. The boy rescues three pelicans and befriends them, and so begins a journey full of adventure and drama.
The movie starred Finn Little, Erik Thomson, Thibul Nettle, Georgina Giessauf, Martha Lott, Brendan Cooney, Caroline Mignone, Anna Bampton, Rory Walker, Brendan Rock, James Smith, Tim Whibley, Paul Blackwell, and Michelle Nightingale, along with numerous others in supporting roles.
Storm Boy is a great choice for a family movie night and is available on Plex.
Mad Max
The Mad Max series began in 1979 when the original movie titled Mad Max was released. The film series revolves around Max, a police officer, who is set on a journey to avenge the death of his wife and son, but the path leads to becoming trouble for Max.
The film series has so far released four movies, with the first one released in 1979, which was followed by three sequels titled.
- Mad Max 2
- Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
- Mad Max: Fury Road
The movie series has been appreciated by the viewers and has been dearly loved by critics and viewers alike. Several films from the series have been labeled to be “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, and Mad Max 2 and Mad Max: Fury Road has been on the list of the “Best Action Films Ever Made.”
The movie series has been a massive hit over its career and has been nominated for various awards and was finally victorious in the Academy Award ceremony, as Mad Max: Fury Road won six Academy Awards.
The movie series is available to watch on several OTT platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The Black Balloon
The Black Balloon was directed by Elissa Down and was released in 2008. The film starred Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, and Gemma Ward in the leading roles and followed Thomas, a young boy with no choice but to take care of his older brother, who suffers from a mental disorder.
The movie starred Nathin Butler, Firass Dirani, Kieran Smith, Ryan Clark, Lisa Kowalski, and Lloyd Allison-Young in the supporting roles. The film was loved by viewers and praised for its theme, and the performances of the actors were appreciated, especially Rhys Wakefield.
The Black Balloon is available on Amazon Prime Video in several regions.
Paper Planes
Paper Planes revolves around Dylan, a young boy who finds out that he has a knack for making the absolute best plane that can be made from paper. The boy then decides to compete in the World Tournament of Paper Planes and sets off on his journey.
The movie was directed by Robert Connolly and was released in 2015. The film starred Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould, and David Wenham in the leading roles and Ena Imai, Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cooke, Terry Norris, Peter Rowsthorn, Deborah Mailman, and David Wenham alongside several others in supporting roles.
The film has a starry 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is recommended for anyone looking for children’s drama. Paper Planes can be rented or bought from Amazon Prime Video.
Babyteeth
Babyteeth was released in 2019 and starred Eliza Scanlen, Toby Wallace, and Ben Mendelsohn in the leading roles. The movie’s plot follows Milla, a teenage girl who is head over heels for a drug dealer, but her parents are in her way.
The movie starred Emily Barclay, Eugene Gilfedder, and Essie Davis in other major roles and was directed by Shannon Murphy. The film took inspiration from a play sharing the same title as the movie, which was written by Rita Kalnejais.
The supporting members of the film include
- Zach Grech
- Michelle Lotters
- Edward Lau
- Georgina Symes, and
- Andrea Demetriades
The movie was nominated for various awards and won several of them, including awards at the Venice Film Festival, BRIFF Awards, AACTA Awards, and many more. The movie also has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Babyteeth is available on Hulu.
Bran Nue Dae
Bran Nue Dae was directed by Rachel Perkins and was released in 2009. The film follows a teenager who runs away from his school and decides to return to his ancestral home.
The movie starred Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo, Missy Higgins, Tom Budge, Geoffrey Rush, Magda Szubanski, Dan Sultan, Ningali Lawford, and Stephen Albert.
Bran Nue Dae is a good choice for a laughable weekend movie marathon and is available on Amazon Prime Video in select regions.
The Dressmaker
The Dressmaker was directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and starred Kate Winslet in the leading role as a dressmaker who returns to her hometown to look after her sick mother.
The film was released in 2015 and was loved by critics for its revenge-driven comedy elements, as the viewers get to see the bad side of ‘the Dressmaker.’ The movie was based on a novel sharing the same name, which was published in 2000.
The Dressmaker starred Darcey Wilson, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Sacha Horler, Caroline Goodall, James Mackay, Rebecca Gibney, and several others in supporting roles, and the movie was appreciated for its thrilling moments.
The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom was directed by Glendyn Ivin and was based on a book by Bradley Trevor Grieve which shared the same name as the movie. The film starred Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, and Jacki Weaver in the leading roles, and Lisa Hensley, Leeanna Wwalsman, and Rachel House in other prominent roles.
The film focuses on the relationship between Samantha Bloom and a bird that is rescued by her children as the former suffers from paralysis. The movie was released in 2020 and was appreciated for its light tone for the theme.
The movie was nominated for several awards at the AACTA Awards and is recommended for drama lovers.
Penguin Bloom is available on Netflix.
Happy Feet
Who doesn’t remember the dancing penguin from Happy Feet?
The beloved movie follows Mumble, a penguin who has a talent for dancing, as he battles rejection due to his inability to sing. Mumble sets off on a journey to find out the root cause for the depletion of the local Fish and test his own mettle and find his true inner self.
The movie was directed by George Miller and was released in 2006. The movie was a banger at the box office as it grossed more than $380 million and was a hit both commercially and critically.
The BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature are two of the many awards that the movie won due to its excellent cinematography and storyline.
The movie also has a sequel, titled Happy Feet Two, which was released in 2011. Happy Feet is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, and the film is recommended 10/10 for anyone and everyone.
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