10 Best Australian Movies, According To IMDb

Following World War II, the Australian film industry was in decline. While other countries were having their own New Wave movements after the implosion of the studio system, Australia was on the edge of no return. However, in 1968, the incoming Australian government decided to establish state-sponsored programs for filmmakers, including the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School.

From this support, the Australian New Wave emerged, launching international careers for artists like Sam Neil, Peter Weir, and later, Nicole Kidman. Of the movies that have been made since, here are the best, according to IMDb.

10 Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975) – 7.5

Considered one of Peter Weir’s best movies, Picnic At Hanging Rock is a mystery set in 1900 that follows the disappearance of three college girls and their math teacher during a day trip and the subsequent effects this event has on the local community.

Weir’s third feature gained him attention abroad, with the film receiving three BAFTA nominations in addition to nominations from local Australian film associations. As well as being Weir’s first collaboration with Australian cinematographer Russell Boyd, the film boasts an early career performance from Jackie Weaver (Animal Kingdom).

9 The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert (1994) – 7.6

Set in the Australian Outback, The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert tracks two drag queens and a transgender woman as they journey from Sydney to Alice Springs in a tour bus named “Priscilla.” The film stars Hugo Weaving (The Lord Of The Rings), Guy Pierce (Memento), and Terence Stamp (Superman).

The road comedy became a surprise worldwide hit, receiving nominations from festivals all over the globe, and has endured in its cult status to this day. It was lauded for its ability to introduce LGBTQ+ themes to a wider audience and ultimately won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film.

8 Wake In Fright (1971) – 7.6

Directed by Ted Kotcheff (Weekend At Bernie’s), Wake In Fright tells the story of a young teacher who finds himself stranded in a small, menacing town in the Australian outback. When he starts to concede to the behavior of its drunk, violent inhabitants, it becomes a question of whether he’ll ever be the same.

Upon its release, the film was a commercial failure, in part due to its distributor United Artists’ lack of marketing, as well its controversial inclusion of a graphic kangaroo hunting scene using real footage. Despite these elements, the film is considered a cult classic and a pivotal film of the Australian New Wave.

7 Walkabout (1971) – 7.6

Walkabout, cinematographer Nicolas Roeg’s (The Man Who Fell To Earth) second directorial feature, loosely tracks the narrative of two white siblings stranded in the Australian outback who learn to survive with the help of an Indigenous Australian boy who is going through his rite of passage into manhood.

The film was a watershed movie for the Australian film industry in that it cast David Gulpilil, an Indigenous Australian, as the boy, shooting him to overnight international fame. Until that point, all portrayals of Australian Indigenous people had been done by white actors in blackface.

6 Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) – 7.6

Often listed as one of George Miller’s best movies, The Road Warrior follows Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson), an ex-policeman haunted by the death of his family as he scavenges the desert wilderness of post-apocalyptic Australia. When he encounters a town with gas, Max makes a deal to fend off a group of bandits in return for fuel.

The Road Warrior was a massive hit, becoming an even bigger box office success than the original Mad Max. Because the original film was less known in the U.S., it was billed as The Road Warrior there, whereas it was called Mad Max 2 everywhere else. The success of The Road Warrior lead to a third film in the series, as well as a modern reboot in 2015.

5 The Castle (1997) – 7.7

Set in Melbourne, Australia, The Castle is a comedy that follows a working-class family who fights city hall after being told they have to vacate their beloved home for the sake of infrastructural expansion. With the help of a friendly retired barrister, the family takes their case to the High Court.

The film was praised for its depiction of Australian life and for highlighting the flawed legal principles reflected in the case. In addition to being considered an Australian classic, The Castle serves as the feature film debut of Eric Bana (Hulk).

4 Shine (1996) – 7.7

Shine is based on the real-life story of David Helfgott, an Australian pianist who had a mental breakdown and spent years in psychiatric facilities. At each stage of his life, Helfgott is portrayed by a different performer, first by Alex Rafalowicz, then Noah Taylor, and ultimately Geoffrey Rush.

The film was a financial and critical success, nabbing seven Oscar nominations and a Best Actor Oscar for Geoffrey Rush in one of his best movie roles. The film’s supporting cast includes Armin Mueller-Stahl (Eastern Promises), Lynn Redgrave (Gods And Monsters), and legendary Shakespearean actor, John Gielgud (Murder On The Orient Express).

3 Breaker Morant (1980) – 7.9

Breaker Morant takes place after the 1902 arrest of Australian lieutenants George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown), and Harry Morant (Edward Woodward). Charged with killing six Boers and a German missionary, the defendants stand trial through sometimes questionable proceedings.

Directed by Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy), the film was a national hit, winning 10 awards from the Australian Film Institute. In addition to its praise at home, Breaker Morant was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.

2 Lion (2016) – 8.0

Based on the incredible true story, Lion follows Saroo Brierley, played by Dev Patel in one of his best roles. After getting separated from his family in Khandwa, India, at the age of five, Saroo embarks on a virtual journey to find them over 20 years later through Google Earth with the support of his adoptive family.

Garth Davis’s directorial debut was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, in addition to being recognized by many Australian film associations. The cast includes newcomer Sunny Pawar as the young version of Saroo and Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) and David Wenham (300) as Saroo’s adoptive parents.

1 Mary And Max (2009) – 8.1

Mary And Max is a stop-motion animated dramedy about the friendship between two unexpected pen pals: Mary (Toni Collette), an eight-year-old lonely girl who lives in Melbourne, and Max (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a 44-year-old man living in New York.

Directed by Adam Elliot, who had previously won an Oscar for his stop-motion animated short Harvie Krumpet, Mary And Max never received a theatrical release in the U.S. However, the film was showcased at several American film festivals, even premiering on the opening night of the Sundance Film Festival.

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