Fans of the horror genre may or may not realize that some of the best horror flicks out there come from down under. From straight horror, to psychological horror, to comedy horror, there’s plenty to add to your next horror marathon. Here are 12 past and current must-watch Australian horror movies to check out.
The Babadook (2014)
Cast: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Hayley McElhinney, Daniel Henshall, Barbara West, Ben Winspear
Synopsis: “Amelia (Essie Davis) is a widow who lost her husband in a heart-breaking stroke of shit luck: he was killed in a car accident while driving to the delivery of their first son. Now six years old, young Sam (Noah Wiseman) has begun to develop behavioral problems and incestuous tendencies, and their neighbors have become increasingly distant as a result. When Amelia discovers a ominously-covered, never-before-seen pop-up book called The Babadook on Sam’s shelf, she decides to immediately debut it as a bedtime story.”
Where to watch: AMC+, Hulu, Netflix, Plex, Shudder
Better Watch Out (2017)
Cast: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Aleks Mikic, Dacre Montgomery, Patrick Warburton, Virginia Madsen
Synopsis: “Ashley travels to the suburban home of the Lerners to baby-sit their 12-year-old son Luke at Christmastime. She must soon defend herself and the young boy when unwelcome intruders announce their arrival.”
Where to watch: Peacock, Plex, The Roku Channel, Showtime, Tubi
Berlin Syndrome (2017)
Cast: Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt, Lucie Aron, Emma Bading, Matthias Habich
Synopsis: “A passionate holiday romance leads to an obsessive relationship, when an Australian photojournalist wakes one morning in a Berlin apartment and is unable to leave.”
Where to watch: Hoopla, Netflix
The Furies (2019)
Cast: Airlie Dodds, Linda Ngo, Taylor Ferguson, Ebony Vagulans, Danielle Horvat, Tom O’Sullivan, Jessica Baker, Kaitlyn Boyé
Synopsis: “A woman is kidnapped and finds herself an unwilling participant in a deadly game where women are hunted by masked men.”
Where to watch: AMC+, Shudder
Hounds of Love (2016)
Cast: Ashleigh Cummings, Emma Booth, Stephen Curry, Susie Porter, Damian De Montemas, Harrison Gilbertson, Fletcher Humphrys
Synopsis: “In suburban Perth during the mid 1980s, people are unaware that women are disappearing at the hands of serial killer couple John and Evelyn White. After an innocent lapse in judgment, Vicki Maloney is randomly abducted by the disturbed couple. With her murder imminent, Vicki realizes she must find a way to drive a wedge between Evelyn and John if she is to survive.”
Where to watch: AMC+, Redbox
Late Night with the Devil (2024)
Cast: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, Fayssal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli
Synopsis: “In 1977 a live television broadcast goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms. What unfolds next is shocking.”
Where to watch: Currently in theaters. Will be available to stream on Shudder at a later time.
The Loved Ones (2009)
Cast: Xavier Samuel, Robin McLeavy, John Brumpton, Richard Wilson, Victoria Thaine, Jessica McNamee, Andrew S. Gilbert
Synopsis: “Brent (Samuel) has never recovered from the night of the car crash that killed his father: the crash that he was responsible for. His only solace is his loving girlfriend Holly (Thaine). But there’s another girl who yearns to comfort Brent, the quietest girl in school Lola (McLeavy), and when he turns down her invitations to the dance he enters a nightmare beyond imagining.”
Where to watch: Paramount+, Pluto TV
Relic (2020)
Cast: Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin, Bella Heathcote
Synopsis: “Relic tells the story of Edna (Robyn Nevin), an elderly and widowed matriarch who goes missing, and her daughter Kay (Emily Mortimer) and granddaughter Sam (Bella Heathcote) who must travel to their remote family home to find her. Soon after her return, they start to discover a sinister presence haunting the house and taking control of Edna.”
Where to watch: AMC+, Shudder
Sissy (2022)
Cast: Aisha Dee, Hannah Barlow, Emily De Margheriti, Daniel Monks, Yerin Ha
Synopsis: “Invited away on a bachelorette weekend, Sissy is stuck in a remote cabin with her high school bully.”
Where to watch: AMC+, Shudder
Talk to Me (2022)
Cast: Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Marcus Johnson, Alexandria Steffensen, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio
Synopsis: “When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits with an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill and high-stakes party game — until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.”
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu
Wolf Creek (2005)
Cast: John Jarratt, Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi, Nathan Phillips, Guy O’Donnell, Geoff Revell
Synopsis: “Stranded backpackers in remote Australia fall prey to a murderous bushman who offers to fix their car, then takes them captive.”
Where to watch: Freevee, Pluto TV, Tubi
You’ll Never Find Me (2023)
Cast: Brendan Rock, Jordan Cowan
Synopsis: “A thunderstorm brings a mysterious woman to Patrick’s isolated mobile home. As the night unfolds, secrets and realities blur. Will she be able to leave? Or is something darker keeping her there?”
Where to watch: AMC+, Shudder
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