20 Best Australian Movies of All Time

Australia takes great pride in its film industry, and this sentiment is carried through to the country’s most acclaimed motion pictures. In comparison to the backlog of films from Europe and the United States, we may be newcomers, but we’re already making a name for ourselves. If you’ve ever wanted to know what the finest Australian movies of all time are, you’ve come to the right place. 

More Reading Related To Best Australian Movies of All Time:

• 50+ Life-Changing Movies to Watch With Teenagers
• 15+ Best Movies For Happy Single Ladies
• 45+ Best Aussie Movies of All Time

Simple— just sit back and enjoy the show. You are very welcome!

1. So, When Did All Start?

Filmmaking has been a tradition in Australia for more than a century. Australian cinema is credited with its inception with the picture The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906). It wasn’t until the 1970s that a new generation of filmmakers with the help of the Australian Film Commission reshaped Australian cinema in a major way. These films, known as the ‘Australian New Wave,’ attracted a large following across the world.

2. How Can We Tell If The Movie Is Australian?

It’s still up in the air as to what defines a film Australian. There are a few essential elements that determine whether or not a film is “Aussie,” in our opinion. First and foremost, if the director or filmmaker is an Australian, that’s something we can guarantee and claim. Australian-financed films are also considered to be Australian productions since our financial resources are being used to create them, so making them ours. 

One of the most important considerations in determining whether or not a film can be labelled as “Australian” is whether or not it was filmed there. Our country’s stunning terrain is one of our greatest assets and a source of pride for us. Films that show our country in a positive light should be given credit.

3. How We Came Up With This List

You may be curious about the criteria that we use to rank the top 20 Australian movies of all time. We take a deep dive into the film industry in order to choose the finest movies of all time. 

When trying to gauge how people feel about a movie, we look at factors like IMDB ratings. Box office gross is another metric that we take into consideration since it offers a more accurate representation of the movie’s performance from a monetary point of view. We further take a look at the accolades that the movie has received; if it has a number of awards to its name, it’s a solid indicator that it’s been well received in the film business.

Here are the 20 Best Australian Movies of All Time

1. The Castle (1997)

• Stars: Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: In the same year that this movie was released, Michael Haneke made another movie called Funny Games (1997), which starred the same cast.

A Melbourne family enjoys living close to the airport, which Jane Kennedy describes as “practically their back yard.” However, the government and the officials in charge of the airport have ordered them to vacate their cherished residence. The movie “The Castle” tells the tale of how the family fought to save their home and even took their case all the way to the High Court.

Federal Court Judge: And what Law are you basing this argument on?

Darryl: The Law of bloody common sense!

2. Mad Max (1979)

• Stars: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: The majority of the film’s extras were compensated with beer for their participation.

Mad Max takes set in a dystopian future Australia and follows a highway patrolman as he patrols the filthy backroads, which have become a breeding ground for outlaws looking for fuel and scrap metal. Following a series of gruesome incidents that were caused by a motorcycle gang, Max decides to go through the desolate wastelands in order to get his retribution.

Like the sign says, “speed’s just a question of money. How fast you wanna go?”

Grease Rat

3. Babe (1995)

• Stars: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Christine Cavanaugh
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: Near the ending, the camera goes over the crowd, and you can see individuals at the bottom of the screen diving out of the way of the crane as the camera passes over the throng.

At the county fair, Arthur Hoggett, a kind and kind farmer, is awarded a piglet that he names Babe. As Babe narrowly avoids being served as Christmas meat when Farmer Hoggett chooses to exhibit him at the next fair, he develops a relationship with motherly border collie Fly and learns that he can also herd sheep. Will the other farm animals, particularly Fly’s jealous husband Rex, accept a pig that does not fit the social system of the farm?

There are many perfectly nice cats in the world, but every barrel has its bad apples, and it is well to heed the old adage, “Beware the bad cat bearing a grudge.”

Narrator

4. Strictly Ballroom (1992)

• Stars: Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunte
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: The home that Fran lived in was a set constructed on top of an actual train station. Two trains passed by the home twice in the most costly shot in the film. A actual food inspector once showed up on the set, thinking it was a real business, and requested papers.

Scott Hastings is a champion class ballroom dancer, but much to the annoyance of the Australian ballroom dance society, Scott believes in dancing “his own steps”. Fran is a starting dancer and a bit of an ugly duckly who has the courage to ask to be Scott’s partner after his unorthodox technique forces his normal partner to dance out of his life. These two outcasts team up in an effort to take home the Australian Pan Pacific Championships and disprove the Ballroom Confederation’s claim that “there are no new steps”

“We had the chance but we were scared. We walked away. We lived our life in fear!”

BARRY OTTO – Doug Hastings

5. The Babadook (2014)

• Stars: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: The film’s rights are in the hands of director Jennifer Kent. When asked if there would be a sequel, she said, “I will never allow any sequel to be made, because it’s not that kind of film. I don’t care how much I’m offered, it’s just not going to happen.”

Amelia is having a difficult time adjusting to her new role as a single parent since her husband died in a car accident as she was on her way to the hospital to give birth to their sole kid, Samuel. To make matters worse, Samuel’s paranoia about monsters and resulting violence in an attempt to conquer that paranoia alienate her close pals further. Just when they thought things couldn’t get any worse, they found an odd book about the ‘Babadook,’ a creature that lives in the shadows. Even Amelia seems to be experiencing the effects of the Babadook, and she attempts hard, but in vain, to burn the book. 

You are nothing. You’re nothing! This is my house! You are trespassing in my house! If you touch my son again, I’ll fucking kill you!

Amelia

6. Animal Kingdom (2010)

• Stars: James Frecheville, Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: Before they began shooting, Ben Mendelsohn and Luke Ford made the purposeful choice not to communicate with one other as actors in order to better facilitate their depiction of two adversarial siblings.

After his mother passes away from an overdose, a young man called Joshua “J” Cody, played by James Frecheville, is taken in by his extended family in this gritty Australian crime thriller. J’s manipulative grandmother, Janine (Jacki Weaver), is in charge of this branch of the Cody clan, and they soon indoctrinate the child into their criminal lifestyle. However, J is presented with the chance to go in a new direction when a police officer called Leckie, played by Guy Pearce, offers to assist him in escaping his family.

[crying] I’m having trouble trying to find my positive spin. I’m usually very good at it. Usually it’s right there, and I can just have it. But I’m having trouble finding it now.

Janine Cody

7. Red Dog (2011)

• Stars: Josh Lucas, Rachael Taylor, Rohan Nichol
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: The statue of Red Dog that can be seen in the last scene is an exact replica of the memorial that was constructed in Dampier in 1979.

It’s the tale of a renowned, beloved red dog that traversed the outback seeking for his original owner, forging his way into the hearts of everyone he encounters, uniting people and communities together, some who find love, and others who discover themselves. Based on real-life experiences.

The world is a funny place, no? Sometimes you pick your dog. Sometimes your dog picks you.

8. Happy Feet (2006)

• Stars: Elijah Wood(voice), Brittany Murphy(voice), Hugh Jackman(voice)
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: All of the actors performed their own singing, including Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, and Nicole Kidman.

Mumble, the son of Memphis and Norma, is a cute young penguin who has a serious problem: he is unable to sing even a single note. Mumble isn’t sure he belongs in a world where everyone requires a heart song to attract a soul mate since he doesn’t feel like he has one himself. Our hero, Mumble, has been described as having the worst singing voice in the world, but he is an incredible tap dancer.

9. Saw (2003)

• Stars: Leigh Whannell, Paul Moder, Katrina Mathers
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: “Reverse Bear Trap” was created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan’s engineer buddy. The gadget was rusted and had to be inserted in Leigh’s mouth. Furthermore, it was both safe and effective. But in Saw (2004), the equipment was safe and covered in faux rust.

An orderly at a hospital named David recounts his harrowing experience of being abducted and made to participate in a cruel game of survival. David was forced to compete against other victims in order to stay alive.

 Congratulations David you are still alive, most people are so ungrateful to be alive but not you, not anymore

Jigsaw

10. Tracks (2013)

• Stars: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver, Lily Pearl
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: Even though Mia Wasikowska spent most of her time on set with the camels, she was only allowed to spend three days in a “camel boot camp.” Davidson herself served as one of the teachers.

In 1977, Robyn Davidson, a young Australian lady, started out from Alice Springs on a 2,700-kilometer walk through the hard desert of Western Australia in order to reach the coast. Davidson’s only mission was to reach the seashore, where she would embark on a voyage of self-discovery with the help of her dog and four camels.

I believe when you’ve been stuck too long in one spot, it’s best to throw a grenade and jump. And pray.

Robyn

11. Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

• Stars: Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Bill Hunter
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: Toni Collette worked with a dietician to put on 40 pounds in only seven weeks so that she could play this part.

Muriel spends her days alone in her room listening to ABBA and fantasizing about her wedding day in Porpoise Spit, Australia, where she was raised. She hasn’t had a date in a while, which is a little snag. Then she goes on a tropical trip with the money she stole, meets an eccentric acquaintance, adopts the name Mariel, and has a complete paradigm shift.

You’re right, you are a new person, and you stink. “Mariel VanArkle” stinks. And she’s not half the person Muriel Heslop was.

Rhonda

12. Gallipoli (1981)

• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: Mel Gibson, Mark Lee, Bill Kerr
• Trivia: Colonel Robinson, who wears an AIF uniform, is often mistaken for an Englishman due to his distinctive Anglo-Australian accent.

Story of young Australian men who decide to join the ANZACs and fight in World War I, despite the fact that they all come from different backgrounds. They are sent to Gallipoli, where they come face to face with the determined Turkish army.

[to Archy] The thing I can’t stand about you, mate, is you’re always so bloody cheerful.

Frank Dunne

13. Lion (2016)

• Stars: Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: Rather than being based on a single real-life person, Rooney Mara’s role is a composite of numerous of Saroo’s on-and-off lovers who were at his side throughout his quest.

An Indian rail journey brings 5-year-old Saroo hundreds of kilometres across the country, away from his family and loved ones. Before finally being taken in by an Australian couple as their own child, Saroo is forced to learn how to make it on his own in Kolkata. One day, twenty-five years after his disappearance, armed with just a few fragments of memory and his unrelenting desire, he embarks on a quest to locate his long-lost family and return to the place where he felt most comfortable.

Do you have any idea what it’s like knowing my real brother and mother spent every day of their lives looking for me? Huh? How every day my real brother screams my name? Can you imagine the pain they must be in not knowing where I am?

Saroo Brierley

14. The Little Death (2014)

• Stars: Bojana Novakovic, Josh Lawson, Damon Herriman
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: The title stems from a 19th-century term for orgasm, originally the French “la petite Morte”.

The intimate details of the private lives of five suburban couples who reside in Sydney shed light on the fetishes that are shared by the partners as well as the consequences that result from doing so.

[to Maeve, Paul and Dan respectively in 3 different scenes] I am required by federal law to inform you that I am a convicted sex offender.

Steve

15. Lantana (2001)

• Stars: Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, Rachael Blake
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: In order to recapture his natural Australian accent, Anthony LaPaglia had to train with a dialect coach He had been working on American films for a long time and had lost his sense of self.

Valerie Somers (Barbara Hershey) is haunted by the death of her daughter and fears that her husband, John (Geoffrey Rush), is having an affair with someone else. Valerie vanishes, and Leon Zat (Anthony LaPaglia) tries to find out what happened to her. Love, sex, and deception are woven into a web that ensnares four couples whose partners are wary and suspicious of each other’s involvement.

Leon Zat: I tell my wife everything.
John Knox: That suprises me.
Leon Zat: Why?
John Knox: Most men hold something back.

16. Predestination (2014)

• Stars: Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: During the opening sequence of the film, the image of the Crosby Shoes building is really a photograph of the Chernobyl Power Plant’s blown reactor number 4.

PREDESTINATION tells the story of a Temporal Agent who is dispatched on a series of time-travel missions to secure the longevity of his law enforcement career. The Agent’s ultimate mission is to track down the elusive criminal who has evaded him for so long.

The Bartender: What if I could put him in front of you? The man that ruined your life. If I could guarantee that you’d get away with it, would you kill him?

17. Looking for Alibrandi (2000)

• Stars: Greta Scacchi, Anthony LaPaglia, Elena Cotta
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: The novel “Looking for Alibrandi” is the title of the book that is most often taken from Australian high school libraries.

The main plot of Alibrandi is on a senior high school student who honors her Italian background while while adapting to the less traditional lifestyle of Australia. A fantastic cast that do an outstanding job in their respective roles— the movie is engaging on a number of different fronts. It will make you laugh, it will make you weep, and eventually it will help you better understand the dramas that life throws at us and how we adapt and how we manage.

Josie Alibrandi: Dear Guiness Book of Records: I’ve just been out on a ten minute date. Is that a record?

18. Young Einstein (1988)

• Stars: Yahoo Serious, Odile Le Clezio, John Howard
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: Marie’s farewell letter is based on a quote by Isaac Newton: “I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”

Albert Einstein is the son of an apple farmer in Tasmania, and he is the one who figures out how to break the atoms of beer in order to restore the bubbles to the beverage. Once in Sydney, Albert meets gorgeous French scientist Marie Curie, as well as other dishonest types trying to take advantage of Albert’s ingenuity and his new invention.

If you can’t trust the Governments of the world, who can you trust?

Albert Einstein

19. Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010)

• Stars: Caitlin Stasey, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lincoln Lewis
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: The invaders’ language in the film is a completely invented one, based on a variety of different languages from throughout the globe and then thrown together.

Seven teenagers from a tiny village in Australia embark on a camping vacation to reconnect with nature. Throughout the course of their journey, they see many military aircraft flying above. Their nation is being attacked, but they don’t know about it. When they go back to their hometown, they realize that the country is at war. They form a group to take on the adversary— despite their lack of experience.

We won’t run. We won’t hide. We’ll fight and keep fighting and never give up until this war is finally won.

Ellie Linton

20. The Man from Snowy River (1982)

• Stars: Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Terence Donovan
• Best Australian Movies of All Time Trivia: This was the first time Tom Burlinson had ever rode a horse before filming this film, and he took Denny over the edge to chase the brumbies down the rock wall in a one-take shot.

Jim Craig has spent the first 18 years of his life on his father’s farm in the Australian highlands. After his father’s death, he must work in the lowlands to recoup the losses on the farm. When Kirk Douglas portrays identical brothers who haven’t talked in years, one of whom was Jim’s father closest friend and the other is the father of his fiancee, you know you’re in for an emotional roller coaster. Once again, a 20-year-old dispute breaks out, with Jim being implicated in the release of a prize horse.

Don’t throw effort out to foolishness!

Spur