10 Aussie Movies You Totally Forgot Ever Existed But Are Actually National Treasures

Australian film over the years has been very much hit and miss. But over the past 30 odd years, there are quite a few movies we’ve actually literally missed, because we’ve forgotten their existence all together.

We ain’t talking classics like The Castle, Strictly Ballroom or Mad Max. We are specifically speaking about Aussie movies we once loved but then totally forgot about. The films that are in desperate need of being unearthed and watched again.

Here are 10 Aussie movies you probz forgot existed but are actually national treasures:

1. Hating Alison Ashley (2005)

This classic teen film has Delta Goodrem as the Regina George of Australian high school. This is the closest thing to an Aussie version of Mean Girls we’re probably going to get, so for this we are forever grateful.

2. Blurred (2002)

This early noughties movie may have passed most of us by, but it’s one of very few films that depicts Australia’s most sacred time of year: Schoolies.

The story is an eclectic mix of different stories from new graduates heading to Surfers Paradise and predictably, it gets incredibly cooked.

3. Dating The Enemy (1996)

Did you know Australia invented the rom-com? Well almost. But there’s never been more sexual chemistry on screen than when Claudia Karvan and Guy Pearce teamed up in this body-swap classic.

4. Bootmen (2000)

Long before Sam Worthington was a blue lizard person, he was a sexy tap dancer. Oh, and we also saw ultimate bae Adam Garcia in a sweaty singlet top. Real true blue Aussie men tap dance. Never forget.

5. The Nugget (2002)

Can you even call yourself Australian if you haven’t seen this movie?!? No. No, you cannot. Here’s Eric Bana before he became a Hollywood heartthrob.

6. Bran Nue Dae (2009)

Australia’s ultimate movie musical, this film is a coming-of-age story for an Indigenous boy who runs away from an abusive boarding school and tries to hitchhike back home. The film stars Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo and Geoffrey Rush and a bunch of catchy tunes.

7. Take Away (2003)

This movie is a cult classic held dear to many Australian hearts. It stars Vince Colosimo, Stephen Curry and Rose Byrne, and is set in a fish and chip shop in Melbourne. You just can’t get much more Aussie than that.

8. Suburban Mayhem (2006)

This quirky dark comedy is led by the always charming Emily Barclay from Please Like Me, who plays a 19-year-old single mum who hatches a plan to get away with murder. It also stars Alice in Wonderland’s Mia Wasikowska.

9. Crackerjack (2002)

Mick Molloy writes and stars in this peak Aussie film about a directionless dude who tries to save a local bowling club from being turned into a pokies venue. This film should really be in the school curriculum.

10. Paperback Hero (1999)

Okay I lied earlier. The greatest cinematic match ever was Claudia Karvan and Hugh Jackman. This movie is romantic AF and is set in the picturesque outback, but so much better than the wankfest that was Baz Luhrmann’s Australia.