Australian horror often has a beautiful balance of realism and terror that cuts to the bone. No matter the subgenre (even horror-comedy), Australian films have a root in reality that makes their tone unique. Whether you’re looking for horror-comedy or death and dread, Australia has got you covered. You won’t find a lot of cheesy, slapstick, or over-the-top options, but there’s an abundance of gripping terror. Here’s a list of Australian films that range from “Oh wow, brutal kills!” to “WTF! I need a shower.” Also, they are perfect for the summer because many of them utilize the Australian heat or beautiful bodies of water.
Talk To Me (2023)
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
The Philippou brothers know how to scare an audience and wrap a story in grief. We follow Mia (Sophie Wilde), who is still dealing with the loss of her mother. This leads her to look for connection and closure in dangerous places. This film breathes new life into the demon possession subgenre, and it features a Black lead. Even though the movie incorporates supernatural elements, Talk To Me remains grounded. This makes the scares even more chilling. There are also moments of gore that will make viewers want to turn away (although the camera does not).
Bring Her Back (2025)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
This is the second feature from the Philippou brothers. Bring Her Back still wraps grief and demons into the story, but uses a different demon and ritual as the vehicle. The movie lives in the same universe as Talk To Me, but it is not a rehash of the former. We follow siblings who must transition into a foster home after the death of a parent. However, their new home is not all that it appears to be. The realism makes the horror and gore stay with you (granted, the teeth scene would have stayed with you no matter what). It is definitely worth the rental price. However, I am sure it will be available for streaming at a lower price (or even for free) soon.
Wolf Creek
Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV and Plex
Wolf Creek reminds me of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It’s a similar idea of being captured in a remote location and watching your friends suffer. Being hunted is incredibly terrifying to a species that is at the top of the food chain, even more so when one is being hunted by another fellow human. Our species has a history of hunting each other, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that Wolf Creek is based on true events. The first film follows three friends who find themselves in grave danger after accepting help from Mick Taylor (John Jarratt). The second film follows a man who ends up in Mick’s lair. The performances anchored these films with fear that feels real through the screen. These movies will make you update your AAA memberships. Wolf Creek 2 is currently available on Hoopla.
Snowtown (2011)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Shudder
Snowtown (also known as The Snowtown Murders) is another film based on true events (trigger warning for EVERYTHING). I randomly hit play on a Tuesday and ruined my whole day. The film follows 16-year-old Jamie and the disastrous consequences of his bond with his mom’s new boyfriend. Snowtown displays how easy it is to indoctrinate the young and vulnerable with a sinister mix of connection and intimidation. It’s worth watching, but you will likely only watch it once.
Hounds Of Love (2016)
Where You Can Watch: N/A
This is another film I blindly pressed play on (I have to stop doing that with Australian horror), and was pistol-whipped with all of the triggers. Hounds of Love is also based on a true story, because humans are awful. It is based on the Moorhouse Murders, which involved a couple kidnapping and assaulting multiple women and girls. We follow the story of Vicki Maloney (Ashleigh Cummings) after she encounters the couple. This is also a film you’ll likely avoid revisiting. A shower is required after viewing.
The Loved Ones (2009)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Shudder
If you are ready for the big dance, check out The Loved Ones! In this film, Brent (Xavier Samuel) turns down an invitation to the prom, which leads to violent consequences. The brutality is broken up with bits of dark humor. The Loved Ones also provides final characters that truly fight for their lives. Lola (Robin McLeavy) is a perfectly unhinged villain who is entertaining to watch. There are moments with her dad that make me uncomfortable, but not as badly as Hounds of Love or Snowtown. Viewers can get a dose of violence and fun with this flick.
Sissy (2022)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Shudder
If you need a little more humor than what The Loved Ones offers, I recommend checking out Sissy. High school best friends, Cecilia (Aisha Dee) and Emma (Hannah Barlow), link up after a decade of not speaking to each other. Which leads to Cecilia being trapped in a cabin with her childhood bully. We follow Cecilia on her journey of self-discovery as she learns to stand up for herself. Sissy has fun kills and an unlikely ending. By the end, you’ll be convinced to like and subscribe.
Lake Mungo (2008)
Where You Can Watch: Plex and Prime Video
Lake Mungo draws viewers in a mockumentary-style setup. It feels like you’re watching the ID channel, until things go beyond drowning to something otherworldly. The story takes quite a few twists and turns, making the lore engaging. However, it is not as brutal as many of the other films listed. Lake Mungo hinges on the feelings of dread and grief as the audience listens to testimonies from a family explaining how they have been managing a devastating loss. I highly recommend this for found footage lovers.
Rogue (2007)
Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV
I often mention that Australia is where the Pokémon live (carnivorous Pokémon at that!). In this case, there’s no cool song or raspberries, just crocodile-infested water and a stranded boat. Rogue follows an American travel journalist (horror on the clock!) who joins a crocodile-watching river cruise that ends up in danger after the group investigates a flare. Usually, giant crocodile movies involve a toothy beast that has a buffet on a boat (or in the water). They often have elements of camp, comedy, and chaos. Rogue skips the laughs and sticks to reality by incorporating elements from real croc attacks. Much of the tension comes from the group trying to plan their escape (with conflicting ideas) as the croc picks them off. A must-watch film for aquatic horror fans.
The Furies (2019)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Hoopla, and Shudder
In this twisted and brutal game, kidnapped women are hunted by masked men. As the film progresses, we discover the game is on an even bigger playing field than we imagined. Each woman has different modes of survival, which makes for interesting team-ups (and conflicts). The kills are memorable (there’s one with an axe that lives in my brain), and the end was satisfying. If you are looking for a movie that will have you on the edge of your seat, check out The Furies.
Bonus Pick:
Dangerous Animals (2025)
Where You Can Watch: In Theaters
Another solid aquatic horror movie has just recently hit the streets. Dangerous Animals remixes the typical shark movie by integrating a serial killer story with shark attacks. While there are small spurts of humor, Dangerous Animals delivers plenty of ruthlessness with Tucker (Jai Courtney), as our unhinged (and hot) villain. We follow a shark-obsessed serial killer who holds a rebellious surfer, Zephry (Hassie Harrison), captive on his boat. There is a mental power struggle between the two as Zephry tries to escape. The kills are bloody, and we learn that Tucker is doing more than chumming the water with his victims.
Enjoy the brutality from down under!
