Watch From Home
Aussie shows to enjoy from self isolation.
During these uncertain times of social distancing and self-isolation, a great story can prove to be a welcome distraction. Whether that’s a binge worthy TV series, movie, web series or documentary, we’ve got you covered. Screen Australia has collated a list of Aussie titles to watch from home that are perfect to pass the time.
Check out these two showcases to see a bunch of new content you can enjoy at home now. Just click the title you’re keen on and The Screen Guide will tell you where you can watch it (often times for free thanks to catch-up services):
We’ve included some appetisers below.
RECENT RELEASES
Stateless
Cult kids’ favourite Bluey is back with series 2 airing daily on ABC Kids or catch-up on ABC iview (where all 52 episodes from series one are available too!)
Watch on ABC iview here
This landmark new eight-part series starring theatre superstar Tim Minchin premiered in December last year and all eight episodes are available now.
Watch on Foxtel Now here
Inspired by true events, this new compelling drama follows four people caught up in the Australian immigration system.
Watch on ABC iview here
From the co-creator of The Kettering Incident, Tassie-noir crime thriller The Gloaming follows two detectives as they investigate a series of murders in Hobart. You can binge the whole series now.
Watch on Stan here
The Heights returns this year with series two and more drama from the families of Arcadia Heights. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re in luck - all 30 episodes from the first series are still living on ABC iview.
Watch on ABC iview here
BOX SET BINGES
Love Child
For those ready for a dose of normality, look no further than beloved family favourite, Packed to the Rafters, with all six seasons available.
Watch on 7plus here
Head back to the 60s and 70s with all four seasons of Love Child, a character drama set in Kings Cross, and centred around forced adoption in Australia during a time of great political and social change.
Watch on 9NOW here
Get a dose of nostalgia in the Logie Award-winning and critically acclaimed drama, Love My Way. Catch the powerhouse cast as they portray two generations of families navigating their way through love, sex, money, family and politics.
Watch on 7plus here
This award-winning TV drama from the early noughties follows the relationships of a group of twenty-somethings living in St Kilda, Melbourne. Catch all four seasons and spot all your favourite Aussie actors before they became household names.
Watch on 7plus here
Doctor Doctor is back this year with a new season but if you’ve got some catching up to do, you can get your dose of Dr Knight with all three previous seasons available to stream now.
Watch on 9NOW here
Take a trip down memory lane with award winning 90s drama Police Rescue, now available to stream on 10 Play. You can now follow the lives of the NSW Police Rescue Squad – on and off duty – as they rescue people from hair-raising situations in and around Sydney.
Watch on 10 Play here
HOMEGROWN CINEMA
Lion
Director Sophie Hyde’s coming of age drama and debut feature won the Best Director prize when it premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2014. Shot once a week, every week for a year, it centres on a teenage girl dealing with her mother transitioning gender to become a man.
Watch on SBS On Demand here
Inspired by true events, this Academy Award-nominated Aussie classic tells the story of a dysfunctional crime family, the police, and the ordinary lives caught in the middle of the two. A powerful drama and a stellar cast.
Watch on Stan here
See some wonderful performances from Abbie Cornish and the late Heath Ledger in Candy, a contemporary love story adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name.
Watch on SBS On Demand here
One of Australia’s highest-grossing films, Oscar-nominated Lion is based on the true story of Saroo Brierley who at 25 sets out to find his birth family, with the help of Google Earth and his own memory.
Watch on SBS On Demand here and coming to Netflix on 1 April.
Released earlier this year, director Justin Kurzel’s epic Australian tale True History of the Kelly Gang is now streaming on Stan. An adaptation of Peter Carey’s novel and lauded by critics at Toronto International Film Festival, this is one to add to your must-watch list.
Watch on Stan here (And for the fan favourites, see how the trailer was made here).
DOCUMENTARY – FEATURES
The Australian Dream
Following the remarkable story of Indigenous AFL legend Adam Goodes, and written by award-winning journalist Stan Grant, The Australian Dream explores race, identity and belonging in Australia today.
Watch on ABC iview here
Director Richard Lowenstein journeys into the heart and soul of Michael Hutchence of INXS. Watch the rare archive footage and insights from Hutchence and his loved ones.
Watch on ABC iview here
DOCUMENTARY – SERIES
Belonging
Presented by award-winning reporter Sarah Ferguson, Revelation is a gripping three-part examination of the dark forces behind child sex-abuse in the Catholic Church. Part one premiered on ABC last week (catch up on iview) and tune in on 31 March and 2 April for parts two and three.
Watch on ABC iview here
Visible Farmer unearths a collection of untold stories of some of Australia’s incredible female farmers who have long remained “invisible”. 13 episodes are available to watch on YouTube now. Subscribe to their channel to get updates for the last two episodes, releasing fortnightly.
Watch on YouTube here
This new three-part documentary series uses vlog footage to provide an unfiltered behind-the-scenes look at the student-led movement, Strike 4 Climate.
Watch all three episodes on YouTube here
A joint initiative between Screen Australia and Network Ten, the three Out Here documentaries recently premiered in the lead up to Mardi Gras. All docos shine a spotlight on the diversity of LGBTQI+ lives and communities in regional Australia.
Watch on 10 play here
What to read next
Learn the dos and don’ts of making a trailer, and watch a breakdown of the True History of the Kelly Gang trailer.
18 Mar 2020
Scott Gillies