25 Best Australian Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Australian Movies

When it comes to the best Australian films, Australia is a proud film nation. Even though we’re a relative newcomer to the film industry, we’ve already established ourselves as a force to be reckoned with. We dove headfirst into the ocean of Australian cinema and came up with a shortlist of the finest of the best. You don’t need to do anything other than start watching. You’re welcome, and thank you for your kind words.

 Best Australian Movies of All Time

In terms of visual storytelling, Australia has a rich history, whether it’s with brilliantly themed films like Priscilla or bland fare like the Australian movie. The best Australian films of all time are included here.

1. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Iconic Australian film, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a celebration of the classic Australian road trip with some drag thrown in there. Allow your imagination to go wild when three males disguised as ladies drive a bus across the stunning Australian outback.

2. Mad Max (1979)

Mad Max is the original Australian post-civilization film, depicting an unnerving portrayal of a dystopian future. Mel Gibson’s career was launched by the film, making him one of our most popular and outlandish celebrities. There’s a lot of bloodshed, recklessness, and classic gang fighting in this movie.

3. Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

The Stolen Generation is the subject of Rabbit-Proof Fence, a true story. During the course of the film, three youngsters make a desperate attempt to return home and reunite with their families. It’s a sobering reminder of our nation’s dark past, but it’s also a moving film that never gets old.

4. The Castle (1997)

The Castle (1997)

An Australian classic, The Castle depicts working-class life in a light-hearted manner. As the Kerrigan family tries to protect their property from being purchased by Melbourne Airport, the film chronicles their story. It’s a low-budget comedy, so don’t anticipate anything extravagant.

 5. The Great Gatsby (2013)

Whether it’s Leonardo DiCaprio’s charisma or Baz Lurhmann’s masterful direction, this is one of our favorite Australian films. Through the use of visual effects, soundtrack, and contemporary touches, Baz has managed to turn the classic tale into a spectacular visual experience.

6. Romper Stomper (1992)

Romper Stomper is one of Russell Crowe’s earliest introductions, and it doesn’t hold back. While depicting Australia’s underworld ethnic strife, the film illuminates the country’s vibrant cultural landscape. If you’re afraid of violence and sex and drugs, this isn’t for you.

7. Babe (1995)

Babe (1995)

There was a void in your childhood life if you weren’t exposed to the antics of Babe. Despite the lack of Australian accents, this endearing narrative about a pig raised by sheepdogs on a farm is timeless. Adults and children alike will enjoy this film for many years to come.

8. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Fury Road, the newest entry in the raging Mad Max franchise, is a contemporary reimagining of the beloved original. Charlize Theron leads an all-star cast as she leads a rebellion against a despotic monarch. In spite of Mel Gibson’s departure, the post-apocalyptic franchise is still one of the greatest on the market.

9. Snowtown (2011)

A dramatic retelling of a true story from the 1990s in Australia. The film, written by Shaun Grant, is as weird and spooky as the Snowtown murders themselves. This is definitely not a movie to watch if you are easily frightened.

10. Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Crocodile Dundee is a national gem, a big-screen hit with all the usual trimmings of Australia, romance, and a smidgen of predictability. Paul Hogan’s Mick Dundee falls head over heels for a New York journalist while on assignment in Australia’s outback.

11. Moulin Rouge (2001)

It’s deja vu all over again for Baz Luhrmann, this time with an award-winning modern musical. Throughout the years, the film has become a cultural touchstone. There is no better way to experience the Parisian subterranean than by reading this book.

12. Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

In this Australian-French satirical drama, you’ll find plenty of laughs. Australian actress Toni Collette stars as an ABBA-obsessed “ugly duckling” who moves to Sydney in an attempt to reshape her life. Toni is a natural in this character, playing it with a lot of enthusiasm in the Australian style.

13. Lantana (2001)

Lantana (2001)

As one of the best arthouse Australian films, Lantana is a rare success story that is both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. The film, which features a slew of familiar faces, including our own Geoffery Rush, examines marriage and love through the eyes of four couples who come together after discovering the death of a young woman in the bush in suburban Sydney.

14. Wolf Creek (2005)

Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the outback, you’ve probably never heard of Wolf Creek. With the help of their parents, this Australian film has become a mandatory viewing for any adolescent learning about personal safety and travel. It’s both horrifying and sobering, based on real-life incidents.

15. The Boys (1998)

In this insane criminal thriller, Rowan Woods has outdone himself with his best work. In an expressive fashion, the film explores issues of self-pity and childhood trauma. In Australia, the film was well-received because it was set in the gritty Sydney suburbs. This time around, Toni Collete gives a great performance.

16. Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

This musical drama manages to be both excellent and horrible at the same time, making it a rare work of filmmaking. Another visual spectacle from Baz Luhrmann, this time featuring lots of dancing, outrageous costumes, and an intriguing cast of characters.

17. Chopper (2000)

In Chopper, Eric Bana gives a stunning portrayal, so convincing that you would mistake him for Mark “chopper,” the real-life Mark ‘chopper.’ Read. He penned an autobiography in his prison cell, and the film is based on it. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Melbourne was rife with violence and drug use.

18. Australia (2009)

A must-see for Australians living abroad who miss home or who are simply feeling a little more patriotic is The Great Aussie Bake Off. The picture features Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, two of Australia’s best-known exports, as well as a breathtaking background of the country’s bleak landscape.

19. Two Hands (1999)

Two Hands (1999)

Two Hands is a veritable kaleidoscope of genres, blending the supernatural, crime, and comedy in a perfect blend. The film’s edginess is enhanced by the presence of a young Heath Ledger. A real rollercoaster, you’ll be afraid and giggling at the same time.

20. The Babadook (2014)

Babadook, a horror film that defies the genre’s established rules, is both scary and intriguing. When a scary child’s book comes in their home, a single mother and her child get paranoid. When it comes to our own fears, it is unclear and proactive.

21. Candy (2006)

Candy is a romantic film that teaches viewers about the perils of addiction and sorrow. Prepare to fall in love with a young Heath Ledger, who portrays a poet addicted to heroin who falls in love with Candy.

22. Shine (1996)

Shine (1996)

In this biographical drama, Australian director Scott Hicks explores the difficulties of mental health. There is a plot based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who went from being a struggling musician to becoming one of the world’s most famous. When you’re a young prodigy, it’s easy to forget that there are downsides.

23. Gallipoli (1981)

“Gallica” is an authentic historical drama and one of the best Australian films about World War I. They are played by Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, who lose their boyish charm as they are thrust into the harsh realities of war. Even the most stoic of us will drop a tear at the end of the film.

24.  Animal Kingdom (2010)

David Michod’s debut film, Animal Kingdom, was a huge hit both domestically and internationally. It depicts the narrative of a young man who is unable to fit in with his gang of thugs since he is a teenager. While Melbourne was a crime hotbed in the 1980s, the setting for this story is a quiet suburb of the city.

25.  Walkabout (1971)

Walkabout (1971)

Snakes, wombats, and trauma all feature in this powerful short about the dangers of cultural misunderstandings. While on a ‘walkabout’, a young Aboriginal boy helps the children of a father who abandons them in the Australian bush. This is a wonderful film to get Australians thinking about the place they call home.