Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has a rich history of cinema, with the country's first cinema, Salon Lumière, opening in Sydney in October 1896. Since then, Australia has produced and inspired many popular movies. Some of the earliest movie footage shot in Australia was of Aboriginal dancers in Central Australia, filmed by anthropologists between 1900 and 1903. The country has also played a significant role in the development of Gothic films, with titles such as 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' and 'Smoke Em If You Got 'Em' showcasing Australian cultural values and Gothic themes. In terms of box office success, James Cameron's 'Avatar' is the highest-grossing film in Australia, surpassing his previous record with 'Titanic'. The highest-grossing Australian film is 'Crocodile Dundee', which launched Paul Hogan's international career. So, when discussing the most popular movie in Australia, these box office hits and culturally significant films are worth considering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular movie in Australia | Avatar (2009) |
| Director | James Cameron |
| Highest-grossing Australian film | Crocodile Dundee (1986) |
| Highest-grossing Australian film gross | A$47.7 million |
| First cinema in Australia | Salon Lumière, Sydney |
| Year of first cinema in Australia | 1896 |
| First Australian-produced short film | 27 October 1896 |
| First locally produced and screened cinema program | 31 October 1896 |
| Earliest feature-length narrative film in the world | The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) |
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What You'll Learn
Highest-grossing films in Australia
Australia has a rich history of cinema, with the country's first cinema, the Salon Lumière, opening in Sydney in October 1896. The highest-grossing films in Australia offer a mix of Hollywood blockbusters and local productions. Here is a look at some of the highest-grossing films in the land down under:
Avatar (2009):
James Cameron's Avatar is the highest-grossing film in Australia. The science-fiction epic surpassed the director's previous record holder, Titanic (1997). Avatar's stunning visuals and groundbreaking use of motion capture technology captivated audiences worldwide, and its success in Australia highlights its broad appeal.
Crocodile Dundee (1986):
Crocodile Dundee is the highest-grossing Australian film in Australia, with a gross of A$47.7 million. The film launched Paul Hogan's international career and became a cultural phenomenon. Its success led to a sequel, Crocodile Dundee II, in 1988, further solidifying its place in Australian cinema history.
Gothic Films:
Australia has a particular affinity for Gothic films, with a strong presence in the country's cinematic landscape since the 1970s. Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), written by Joan Lindsay, blends Australian societal issues with Gothic horror. Other notable Australian Gothic films include The Screening of Australia (1987) by female filmmakers Suzan Dermody and Elizabeth Jacka, and Smoke Em If You Got ‘Em (1988) by Jennifer Hooks, which adds a comedic twist to the genre.
Historical Perspective:
Australia has a long history of film production, with some of the earliest movie footage shot in the country dating back to the early 1900s. The first Australian-produced short film was screened in 1896, and the world's first feature-length narrative film, The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), was written and directed by Charles Tait and exhibited in Australia and the United Kingdom.
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Australian Gothic films
Australia's first cinema, the Salon Lumière in Sydney, opened in October 1896 and screened the first Australian-produced short film. The earliest feature-length narrative film in the world was the Australian-produced The Story of the Kelly Gang in 1906.
Some notable Australian Gothic films include Wolf Creek (2006), The Hunter (2011), The Babadook (2014), and Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). Wolf Creek follows a group of backpackers who are befriended and then kidnapped by a serial killer, Mick Taylor, in the outback of Australia. The Babadook explores gothic themes in suburbia, where a mother and child are terrorised by a monster from a child's pop-up book. Picnic at Hanging Rock, written by Joan Lindsay, includes Gothic materials and adds a twist of horror.
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Australian cinema history
Australian cinema has a rich history dating back to the early days of motion pictures. The first screening of film in Australia took place in Sydney in the late 1890s, with people paying to view short films on an Edison Kinetoscope. The first motion pictures were projected by American magician Carl Hertz in Melbourne, and the first cinema, the Salon Lumière, opened in Sydney in October 1896. The first Australian-produced short film was screened on 27 October 1896. The earliest surviving motion picture film shot in Australia is believed to be 'Patineur Grotesque' or 'The Humorous Rollerskater' from 1896.
The first feature-length narrative film in the world was the Australian production 'The Story of the Kelly Gang' (1906), which is considered the beginning of Australian cinema. The film was also exhibited in the United Kingdom in 1908. The early 1900s also saw the filming of Aboriginal dancers in Central Australia by anthropologists, and Melbourne hosted one of the world's first film studios, the Limelight Department, which operated from 1897 to 1910.
Australian cinema experienced a decline in the 1920s due to various factors, including exclusive deals between Australian cinemas and American distributors, falling audience numbers, and the high cost of local productions compared to imported films. An official ban on bushranger films in 1912 also contributed to the decline. Despite these challenges, Australian cinema rebounded with successful productions in the following decades.
The 1970s and 1980s saw a focus on indigenous themes and adaptations of classic Australian literature and history. Films such as 'Walkabout' (1971), 'The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith' (1976), 'My Brilliant Career' (1979), and 'We of the Never Never' (1982) explored Australian identity and indigenous stories. The 1980s also launched the international careers of Australian stars such as Paul Hogan with 'Crocodile Dundee' (1986), the highest-grossing Australian film, and Nicole Kidman with films like 'Dead Calm' (1989).
The 1990s introduced a new wave of Australian talent to global audiences with low-budget films like 'Muriel's Wedding', 'The Castle', and 'Strictly Ballroom' attaining commercial and critical success. These films explored quirky characters in contemporary Australian suburbia, marking a departure from the Outback and historical sagas of previous decades.
Australian cinema has continued to produce internationally recognised films and launch the careers of many actors and filmmakers who have gone on to succeed in larger film-producing centres.
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Australian actors in Hollywood
Australia has produced a surprising number of Hollywood stars. The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Australia has been credited with setting the culture and attitude that has helped launch the careers of many Australian actors in Hollywood.
One of the most notable Australian actors in Hollywood is Nicole Kidman. Kidman was born in Hawaii to Australian parents and moved to Sydney as a child. She began her career in Australian children's TV and film in the early 1980s, appearing in productions such as BMX Bandits and Bush Christmas. After garnering strong reviews for her performance in the Australian thriller Dead Calm in 1989, she went on to pursue Hollywood roles.
Another Australian actor who has found success in Hollywood is Hugh Jackman. Jackman graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and soon after landed a starring role in the ABC-TV prison drama Correlli in 1995. He has since appeared in various Australian productions, including Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard. Jackman made his Hollywood debut in the 2000 comic book movie X-Men, in which he played Logan/Wolverine.
Heath Ledger is another Australian actor who achieved critical acclaim in Hollywood, particularly for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight. Ledger received numerous posthumous accolades for his performance, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Other notable Australian actors in Hollywood include Yvonne Jaqueline Strzechowski, Ben Mendelsohn, and Chris Hemsworth. Strzechowski was born and raised in Australia and made her big-screen debut in Gone (2006), which caught the attention of Hollywood casting directors. Mendelsohn, known for playing villains and criminals, began his career in Australian television and has since appeared in Hollywood films such as Vertical Limit (2000) and The New World (2005). Chris Hemsworth, who is of Australian and Dutch heritage, made his Hollywood debut in the 2009 science fiction blockbuster Star Trek.
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Popular streaming services in Australia
Australia's streaming landscape has grown significantly in recent years, with a range of services now available to Australians via smartphones, laptops, TVs, and streaming boxes. According to Deloitte, 81% of Australians subscribe to at least one streaming service.
Netflix has traditionally been the most popular streaming service in Australia, but it has faced challenges in recent years, including the impact of COVID on its output and increasing competition from rivals. Netflix still boasts the biggest selection of exclusive TV shows and movies, as well as the best technical quality, offering flawless 4K streams.
Amazon Prime Video is another major player in the Australian market, particularly appealing to those who enjoy classic Hollywood blockbusters and newer releases. Amazon Prime Video also allows subscribers to sign up for third-party streaming services such as Paramount Plus, AMC+, and Shudder, all through a single account. Stan is another low-cost streaming service, offering ad-free streaming in Australia.
Other popular streaming services in Australia include Disney Plus, Binge, and Max. Binge, owned by cable giant Foxtel, offers a range of movies, reality and true crime TV shows, as well as live sports events. Foxtel Now, the digital, on-demand version of Foxtel, also boasts one of the biggest media libraries in the industry.
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Frequently asked questions
It's hard to say which movie is the most popular in Australia, but in terms of box office sales, James Cameron's Avatar (2009) tops the list.
Crocodile Dundee (1986) is the highest-grossing Australian film with a gross of A$47.7 million.
Other popular Australian films include the sequel Crocodile Dundee II (1988), Evil Angels (1988), and Dead Calm (1989).
The first Australian-produced short film was screened in October 1896 at the Salon Lumière in Sydney. The first feature-length narrative film in the world was the Australian-produced The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906).
Australian cinema has a rich history with Gothic films, dating back to the 1970s. These films often incorporate diverse themes and stylistic choices, such as in The Screening of Australia (1987) by female filmmakers Suzan Dermody and Elizabeth Jacka.
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