A cult fave and a steamy thriller: 10 Australian must-watches streaming on Stan.

There's something uniquely powerful about Australian storytelling that hits differently.

Maybe it's the way our creators capture the complexities of life Down Under, or perhaps it's because we finally see ourselves reflected on screen without the Hollywood filter. Either way, these shows and films didn't just entertain us — they became part of our cultural DNA.

Watch the trailer for Invisible Boys. Story continues below.

Lucky for us all, Stan has become the home of Australian storytelling, and honestly? We're here for every second of it. From gritty dramas that'll leave you emotionally wrecked to feel-good comedies that perfectly capture the Aussie spirit, here are the homegrown treasures from Stan's catalogue that deserve a spot on your watch list.

Nugget is Dead.

Image: Stan

The Australian Christmas comedy that's equal parts heartwarming and chaotic.

When beloved family dog Nugget falls seriously ill just days before Christmas, Sydney-slicker Steph Stool (Vic Zerbst) must abandon her elegant holiday plans with her boyfriend's family and return to her small coastal hometown to deal with her own... less elegant family.

Set in suburban Australia, this raw exploration of family dysfunction tackles the messy reality of coming home for the holidays when everything feels like it's falling apart.

It's the kind of film that makes you grateful for your own relatively normal (or equally chaotic) family Christmas.

Holding the Man.

Image: Stan

Based on Timothy Conigrave's memoir, this devastating love story follows Tim and John's 15-year relationship from their school days through the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

It's a masterpiece of Australian cinema that'll leave you emotionally wrecked but somehow hopeful about the power of love to transcend everything — including death. Keep the tissues handy and prepare to ugly cry on your couch.

Stan Original Series Scrublands

Image: Stan

The murder mystery that had the entire country glued to their screens, based on Chris Hammer's bestselling novel. When a priest shoots five men dead in a small country town, journalist Martin Scarsden arrives to investigate and uncovers secrets that run deeper than anyone imagined.

It's Australian noir at its finest, complete with dusty landscapes and dark family secrets that'll keep you guessing until the very end. And the good news is that there are two brilliant seasons ready for you to consume.

Rabbit Proof Fence.

Image: Showtime Australia

Phillip Noyce's heartbreaking masterpiece tells the true story of three Aboriginal girls who escaped from a government settlement and walked 1,500 kilometres home. Following Molly, Daisy, and Gracie as they use the rabbit-proof fence to navigate their way across the harsh Australian landscape back to their families, it's a powerful testament to determination and the unbreakable bonds of family and culture.

It's essential Australian cinema that confronts our colonial history whilst celebrating the strength and resilience of Indigenous culture. A film that should absolutely be mandatory viewing for every single Australian.

The Castle.

Image: Roadshow Entertainment

"Tell him he's dreaming!"

The 1997 comedy that gave us a thousand quotable lines and proved that sometimes the little guy can win. Darryl Kerrigan's fight to save his beloved home from airport expansion became a symbol of the Australian battler spirit.

It's daggy, it's heartwarming, and it perfectly captures the essence of suburban Australian life. Pure comfort viewing that just never gets old.

Stan Original Series Invisible Boys.

Image: Stan

The gritty coming-of-age drama that nobody saw coming but everyone needed.

Set during the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite, the series follows a group of teens in the remote coastal city of Geraldton, Western Australia, who must navigate the challenges of social media after one of them is outed online following an encounter with a straight man. The group bands together to find solace, strengthen their friendships, and begin understanding what made them previously invisible, and why they must continue to support each other.

It's raw, authentic storytelling that captures the unique challenges of growing up queer in regional Australia, offering hope and representation that feels genuinely earned rather than performative.

The Stan Original Series Black Snow.

Image: Stan

The crime thriller set in tropical North Queensland proves that Australian television can do dark and twisty just as well as anyone.

When a young woman's body is discovered, Detective James Cormack must confront his own past whilst solving the case. It's atmospheric, compelling, and showcases the beauty and danger of the Australian landscape in ways that will strangely make you want to book a trip up north.

Stan Original Series Bump.

Image: Stan

The teen pregnancy drama that handled its subject matter with surprising nuance and heart.

Following Oly and Santi as they navigate unexpected parenthood whilst still being kids themselves, it's a show that treats its young characters with respect and doesn't shy away from the messy realities of teenage life.

Fun, heartfelt, and full of emotional moments, Bump perfectly captures the chaos of unexpected teenage parenthood.

Offspring.

Image: Stan

The beloved dramedy that made us all fall in love with Nina Proudman's chaotic life and even more chaotic family. For seven seasons, we laughed, cried, and swooned alongside the Proudman clan as they navigated love, loss, and the beautiful mess of family life. It's comfort television at its finest, and having the entire series on Stan means you can relive the magic whenever you need a pick-me-up.

Lantana.

Image: Australian Film Finance Corporation

The psychological drama that weaves together multiple storylines in suburban Sydney, exploring marriage, infidelity, and the secrets we keep from those closest to us. With powerhouse performances from Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Armstrong and Geoffrey Rush, it's truly a masterclass in Australian filmmaking. The kind of film that reminds you why Australian cinema is world-class.

Feature Image: Stan.