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118 voters

The Greatest Australian Drama Films, Ranked

Updated July 22, 2020 562 votes 118 voters 4.7k views56 items

List RulesVote up the best films made in the land down under.

These are the best Australian dramas, ranked from best to worst by user votes. Some Australian drama movies revolve around heartfelt love stories while other good Australian drama movies tackle important social and political topics. A few of the most entertaining Australian dramas even feature future Oscar winners.

What films will you find on this best Australian dramas list? In 1993, a little known actor, Russell Crowe, showed off his impressive acting abilities as the violent leader of a racist youth gang in the film, Romper Stomper. Seven years later, Crowe became everyone's favorite underdog in the award-winning film, Gladiator. Moulin Rouge! is another great Australian drama film.

Australian actor, Heath Ledger, starred as a young man addicted to heroin in Candy. Other good movies that are featured on this top Australian dramas list include Shine, The Proposition and Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Which movie do you think deserves the top spot on this list? Give your favorites a thumbs up and get in on the conversation in the comments section.

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Romper Stomper
Russell Crowe, Jacqueline McKenzie
Released: 1992
Directed by: Geoffrey Wright
Romper Stomper is a 1992 Australian drama film written and directed by Geoffrey Wright. The... more
2
28
7
Gallipoli
Mel Gibson, Bill Hunter
Released: 1981
Directed by: Peter Weir
Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian film directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark... more
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14
4
Two Hands
Rose Byrne, Heath Ledger
Released: 1999
Directed by: Gregor Jordan
Two Hands is a 1999 Australian comedy crime film, written and directed by Gregor Jordan. The... more
4
18
10
Muriel's Wedding
Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths
Released: 1994
Directed by: P. J. Hogan
Muriel's Wedding is a 1994 Australian comedy-drama film written and directed by P. J. Hogan.... more
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16
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Mad Max
Mel Gibson, Hugh Keays-Byrne
Released: 1979
Directed by: George Miller
Mad Max is a 1979 Australian dystopian action film directed by George Miller, produced by... more
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13
4
Walkabout
Jenny Agutter, John Meillon
Released: 1971
Directed by: Nicolas Roeg
Walkabout is a 1971 film set in Australia, directed by Nicolas Roeg and starring Jenny... more
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14
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Shine
Geoffrey Rush, John Gielgud
Released: 1996
Directed by: Scott Hicks
Shine is a 1996 Australian biographical drama film based on the life of pianist David... more
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8
12
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The Road Warrior
Mel Gibson
Released: 1981
Directed by: George Miller
Mad Max 2 is a 1981 Australian post-apocalyptic action film directed by George Miller. The... more
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13
5
Candy
Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish
Released: 2006
Directed by: Neil Armfield
Candy is a 2006 Australian romantic drama film, adapted from Luke Davies's novel Candy: A... more
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12
5
The Proposition
John Hurt, Ray Winstone
Released: 2005
Directed by: John Hillcoat
The Proposition is a 2005 Australian western film directed by John Hillcoat and written by... more
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15
9
Animal Kingdom
Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton
Released: 2010
Directed by: David Michôd
Animal Kingdom is a 2010 Australian crime drama film directed by David Michôd. A... more
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13
7
Lantana
Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey
Released: 2001
Directed by: Ray Lawrence
Lantana is a 2001 Australian drama film directed by Ray Lawrence and based on the play... more
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13
17
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Rabbit-Proof Fence
Kenneth Branagh, Jason Clarke
Released: 2002
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Rabbit-Proof Fence is a 2002 Australian drama film directed by Phillip Noyce based on the book... more

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10
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Mad Max: Fury Road
Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron
Released: 2015
Directed by: George Miller
Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2015 action film directed by George Miller. In a post apocalyptic... more
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15
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Proof
Russell Crowe, Hugo Weaving
Released: 1991
Directed by: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Proof is a 1991 Australian drama film by Jocelyn Moorhouse starring Hugo Weaving, Geneviève... more
16
9
4
The Dressmaker
Kate Winslet, Judy Davis
Released: 2015
Directed by: Jocelyn Moorhouse
The Dressmaker is a 2015 Australian revenge comedy-drama film directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse,... more
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17
12
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Moulin Rouge!
Nicole Kidman, Ozzy Osbourne
Released: 2001
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 Australian–American pastiche-jukebox musical film directed, produced,... more
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Dead Calm
Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill
Released: 1989
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Dead Calm is a 1989 Australian thriller film starring Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane.... more
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7
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Wolf Creek
Teresa Palmer, John Jarratt
Released: 2005
Directed by: Greg McLean
Wolf Creek is a 2005 Australian horror film written, co-produced, and directed by Greg McLean,... more
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6
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The Babadook
Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall
Released: 2014
Directed by: Jennifer Kent
The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film, written and directed by Jennifer... more
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Little Fish
Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving
Released: 2005
Directed by: Rowan Woods
Little Fish is a 2005 Australian film directed by Rowan Woods and written by Jacquelin Perske.... more
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8
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The Dish
Sam Neill, Patrick Warburton
Released: 2001
Directed by: Rob Sitch
The Dish is a 2001 Australian film that tells a somewhat fictionalized story of the Parkes... more
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6
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Somersault
Sam Worthington, Abbie Cornish
Released: 2004
Directed by: Cate Shortland
Somersault is a 2004 Australian independent film written and directed by Cate Shortland,... more

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5
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Sirens
Elle Macpherson, Hugh Grant
Released: 1994
Directed by: John Duigan
Sirens is a 1994 film, written and directed by John Duigan, and set in Australia. Sirens and... more
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Snowtown
Daniel Henshall, Louise Harris
Released: 2011
Directed by: Justin Kurzel
Snowtown, also known as The Snowtown Murders, is a 2011 Australian film based on the true... more
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