Australian horror movies have a unique feel that you can't always find in Hollywood offerings. With the country harboring some of the most unforgiving and dangerous landscapes out there, many Aussie flicks feature humans facing off against nature or the deadly consequences of wandering beyond the safety of civilization. Other films trade the terror of isolation for something more supernatural or cerebral, and some take aim at the violence and darkness that came from colonization.
With 2025's Bring Her Back proving to global audiences that Aussie horror is nothing to trifle with, let's revisit some of the classics. Whether you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned slasher or you want to delve a little deeper with thought-provoking mysteries, here are the 10 best Australian horror movies in order of release date. Look to Prime Video, Hulu, and more to kick off your Aussie movie night now.
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Beautiful and hauntingly eerie. Really, that's all you need to know before going into Picnic at Hanging Rock. Based on the 1967 novel by Joan Lindsay, the movie delves into the disappearances of a group of schoolgirls and their teacher out in Victoria, Australia, on Valentine's Day.
Largely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece, Picnic at Hanging Rock offers a compelling mystery set during the Victorian era. Altogether unsettling, the atmospheric horror is top-notch here. If you can get enough of dream-like movies with almost hypnotic visuals and scores (think David Lynch's entire filmography), add Picnic at Hanging Rock to your watch list now.
Wolf Creek (2005)
When it comes to Aussie horror, Wolf Creek is a bona fide classic. Greg McLean's beloved slasher sees a group of backpackers cross paths with a sadistic serial killer roaming the Australian Outback. Played with devilish delight by John Jarratt, Mick Taylor deserves a spot right next to other horror icons like Jason and Freddy. While Wolf Creek earns the slasher title in terms of body count, Mick's weapon of choice certainly sets him apart from other villains of the subgenre. Carrying around a vintage Remington, Mick is a bit like Crocodile Dundee broke very, very bad.
Raw and gory yet still filled with tension, Wolf Creek will appeal to more experienced horror fans with cast-iron stomachs. Bordering on splatter horror, it has more in common with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and The Evil Dead (1981) than it does with the aforementioned Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Rogue (2007)
You could fill an entire list with killer crocodile movies from the Land Down Under. However, if you're looking for one of the best, say hello to Rogue. The poster screams cheesy B-movie, but it doesn't take long to realize Rogue contains one heck of a plot. Loosely inspired by a true story, the film sees a group of tourists and their tour guide come face to face with a man-eating crocodile. Stranded on a small island, the motley crew must work together to escape the jaws of their stealthy enemy.
Wolf Creek director Greg McLean ditches his slasher roots for something much more grounded. Rogue knows how to drum up suspense and immerse the audience, even if it gets a tad wild by the end. Creature feature fans rejoice, you've got a potential new favorite right here.
Lake Mungo (2008)
Lake Mungo isn't your typical found-footage film. It takes a pseudo-documentary approach similar to District 9 (2009), but instead chronicles the supernatural events surrounding a family after their daughter's death. The movie plays out like a documentary you'd casually catch on TV, and that realism adds another layer of creepiness over a slow-burn mystery brimming with atmospheric horror.
There are no jump scares here. Instead, the film excels at creeping dread and emotional reveals. Since its Sydney Film Festival debut, it has amassed a well-deserved cult following extending far beyond Australia. Found-footage fans will enjoy Lake Mungo, but really, any horror fan looking for a compelling story they can emotionally invest in will dig it, too.
The Loved Ones (2009)
The Loved Ones is a hidden gem of a movie for anyone tired of the same old type of teen horror story. Xavier Samuel plays Brent, a high school boy reeling from his father's death. After turning down an invitation to prom from Lola (Robin McLeavy), the less-than-popular girl sets her sights on making him pay.
Be warned. The Loved Ones gets disturbing. Although it has a teen horror appeal, it transcends typical young adult conventions. For the right audiences, the movie delivers plenty of quirkiness, gore, and dark humor. It's absolutely twisted, but in the best kind of way. Think Carrie (1976) or Prom Night (1980), but with an abduction twist and a lot more blood.
Cargo (2013)
Martin Freeman stars in one of the more unique zombie movies of the 21st century. Set in the wilderness of remote Australia, Cargo reveals its hook pretty much from the start. After becoming infected by a zombie bite, Freeman's Andy races against the clock to find someone capable and trustworthy to take care of his infant daughter with the help of a young Aboriginal girl.
As one of the more underrated Netflix originals, Cargo carries a more profound message about the erasure of Australia's Indigenous people. For those who like their horror, thought-provoking and heartbreaking, this one is well worth the watch. At times, it even has a The Last of Us vibe.
The Babadook (2014)
If giant crocodiles or blood-soaked slashers aren't your thing, The Babadook offers twisty scares and psychological terror. Jennifer Kent comes out swinging with a directorial debut about a monster from a children's book who seemingly jumps from page to reality to torment a widowed mother and her troubled son.
Essie Davis of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012) fame delivers a perfectly unhinged performance alongside Noah Wiseman, adding to the film's aura of spooky uneasiness. However, the movie's real draw is its deeper messaging about grief. While The Babadook initially didn't have much success in its native Australia, it found an audience overseas, where it still reigns as a cult favorite and horror hit. This one is for all the slow-burn supernatural movie fans out there.
Boar (2017)
Aussie horror movies and big, scary animals go together like cookies and milk—and Boar is no exception. This gory little horror has a simple enough premise: A giant, bloody-thirsty boar stalks a family in the Outback.
Serving up practical effects and violence that teeter into B-movie territory, Boar best suits audiences looking for fun creature features with a little campiness thrown into the mix. (If you want something more serious, look to Rogue for that.) Wolf Creek fans will also recognize John Jarratt among the cast, although this time, he trades his expected antagonistic role for something a lot more heroic.
The Nightingale (2018)
Those who enjoyed Jennifer Kent's The Babadook will find something much darker and violent in her next film. The Nightingale shines a light on the dark side of Australia's history—emphasis on dark. At its simplest, it's a revenge story about an Irish convict seeking vengeance against the colonial forces of Tasmania with the help of an Aboriginal tracker. However, it also offers heavy commentary on racial inequality, genocide, and gender disparity.
The Nightingale is a tough watch. It's uncomfortable, disturbing, and terribly violent, but it's also thought-provoking and educational. There's nothing supernatural here. The horror comes from the brutal reality of historical atrocities. If historical horror like The Witch (2015) suits your fancy, The Nightingale is well worth checking out.
Talk To Me (2022)
Bring Her Back's Danny and Michael Philippou first jumped from YouTube to the big screen with great success. Their directorial debut, Talk to Me, remains A24's highest-grossing horror movie and a critical hit. This supernatural number appears like any other teen horror movie before transforming into a chilling exploration of grief. The plot centers on a group of teens forced to contend with dark supernatural forces after attempting to communicate with the dead.
While that summary seems cliché, Talk To Me is anything but. Imbued with that quirky, thought-provoking style A24 is known for, the movie excels at delivering edge-of-your-seat scares. If Bring Her Back's brand of dark, slow-burn horror sent you to this list in the first place, then Talk To Me should deliver that same compellingly heavy vibe.
