The Best 15 Films About Australia to Watch

Like the country itself, Australia’s cinema industry has a long and storied tradition of storytelling.Whether your taste is for historical epics, gritty urban stories, or action films set in the bush, movies set in Australia have something really intriguing. These films not only provide entertainment value but also probe what it means to be Australian by presenting our landscape, culture, humor, and issues in their own particular context.

Every Australian and everyone else curious in our stories should view these 15 films about Australia.

1. The Castle (1997)

Without this cherished comic classic, no Australian cinema list would be whole. The Kerrigan family is followed in The Castle as they battle to keep their modest house free from government purchase. Packed with classic Australian one-liners like “Tell ‘em they’re dreaming,,” it’s a funny and poignant look at suburban life, pride, and family.

📍Why watch? It’s a quintessential Aussie tale that captures the spirit of the underdog with humour and warmth.

2. Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

Based on the real account of three Aboriginal girls who traveled over 2,400km behind the rabbit-proof fence escaped from a government camp to return to their family, this compelling drama is grounded. Under direction by Phillip Noyce, it is a moving study of the Stolen Generation.s.

📍Why watch? It’s an essential film that confronts Australia’s complex history with Indigenous communities.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Although the Mad Max series started in the late 1970s, Fury Road brilliantly revived it. Shot in a dystopian desert scene and guided by Aussie veteran George Miller, it’s both a visual feast and an homage to Australia’s natural ability for raw, exciting movies.

📍Why watch? It’s Aussie post-apocalyptic madness at its finest, with world-class action and style.

4. Australia (2008)

Under direction by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, Australia is an epic romance set against World War II. It’s a strong and magnificent portrayal of a defining period with broad views of the outback and a dramatic narrative.

📍Why watch? It combines classic Hollywood storytelling with a uniquely Australian identity.

5. Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

Toni Collette first made the world aware of this off-beat comedy-drama. Stuck in a small town with great aspirations, Muriel discovers escape in ABDA songs and a search for happiness. This is a funny but moving tale on self-worth, friendship, and the urge to fit in.

📍Why watch? It’s funny, awkward, heartfelt—and oh so Aussie.

6. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Three drag queens in a bus called Priscilla lead an amazing road journey throughout the Australian outback. Using style, sass, and a terrific soundtrack, this movie smashed limits and introduced LGBTQ+ stories into the mainstream.

📍Why watch? It’s a flamboyant celebration of diversity and resilience, set against the striking Australian landscape.

7. Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Arguably the most internationally famous movie about Australia, Crocodile Dundee brought Mick Dundee—a bushman negotiating New York City—to the attention of the globe. It is still a cultural benchmark even if it has certain dated elements.

📍Why watch? For the laughs, the nostalgia, and the unforgettable line: “That’s not a knife…”

8. Samson and Delilah (2009)

Two Indigenous teenagers living in a far-off Central Australian town are followed in this raw and terrible film. For many First Nations Australians, this quiet yet potent love narrative reveals the hard facts of existence.

📍Why watch? It’s honest, visually stunning, and deeply moving—an important piece of modern Australian cinema.

9. Animal Kingdom (2010)

A crime drama marking Aussie crime thrillers on the map. Tucked in Melbourne’s criminal underworld, this gripping tale of survival and allegiance is underpinned by superb performances, especially Jacki Weaver in a terrifying role.

📍Why watch? It’s dark, complex, and one of the finest examples of Australian crime cinema.

10. The Dry (2020)

Inspired by Jane Harper’s best-selling book The Dry, Eric Bana plays a federal agent returning to his hometown devastated by drought to look at a murder-suicide. It has suspense, is atmospheric, and burns slowly.

📍Why watch? It masterfully blends outback noir with a gripping whodunit.

11. Gallipoli (1981)

Gallipoli, which stars young Mel Gibson and is directed by Peter Weir, chronicles the terrible tale of two young men dispatched to serve in World War I. It presents mateship, sacrifice, and the ANZAC attitude movingly.

📍Why watch? It’s a defining film about Australia’s military history and national identity.

12. Sweet Country (2017)

A vicious and poetic Western set in the Northern Territory during the 1920s. Sweet Country chronicles the tale of an Aboriginal man compelled to flee following the self-defensive killing of a white man. It’s emotionally turbulent and brilliantly photographed.

📍Why watch? It’s one of the most visually powerful and socially relevant Australian films in recent memory.

13. Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

Picnic at Hanging Rock traces the disappearance of schoolgirls on an outing in 1900, half mystery, part dreamlike meditation on nature and colonial repression. It is really ambient, mysterious, and frightening.

📍Why watch? It’s a haunting classic that helped put Australian cinema on the world stage.

14. Storm Boy (1976 & 2019)

Both the 1976 original and the 2019 remake of Storm Boy catch the tender relationship between a lad and a pelican. Tucked on the coast of South Australia, it is a timeless tale of compassion, environment, and reconciliation.

📍Why watch? It’s a heartfelt family film that resonates across generations.

15. Chopper (2000)

Based on the life of infamous criminal Mark “Choose,” this darkly funny biopic stars Eric Bana in one of his most transforming parts. It’s a particularly Australian approach to crime and infamy, violent, erratic, and somehow charismatic.

📍Why watch? For Eric Bana’s unforgettable performance and its bold, brutal storytelling.

Final Thoughts

These Australian films mirror the several layers of our national character, regardless of your taste in grand historical epics, sharp satire, or poignant personal stories. They investigate the beauty of our country, the depth of our civilizations, and the essence of our people. Although the subjects are frequently distinctly Australian, the emotions and stories have global power.

So choose one of these classic films next time you’re organizing a movie night and see Australia via the prism of its finest filmmakers. You will laugh, cry, and perhaps even view your own backyard in entirely different ways.

Bonus Tip:

Keep an eye on Aussie film festivals like MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival) and Sydney Film Festival—they’re great places to catch up-and-coming films about Australia and support local creators.