SYDNEY, January 26, 2026 — Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut, “The Deb,” slated for release January 15, is already generating buzz—and not just for the star power. The film, adapted from the acclaimed 2022 stage musical by Hannah Reilly and Megan Washington, promises a heartwarming and hilarious look at small-town life and the pressures of high school milestones.
Here’s a look at 10 Australian films to watch for in the coming years, spanning genres from horror to biopic.
- Daisy Ridley stars in the zombie thriller “We Bury the Dead,” premiering February 5.
- Olivia Colman and John Lithgow lead the cast of Sophie Hyde’s drama, “Jimpa,” arriving February 19.
- Jennifer Peedom’s first narrative feature, “Tenzing,” recounts the story of the first ascent of Mount Everest.
- Russell Crowe appears in the action-packed “Bear Country,” one of eight upcoming projects for the actor.
- A darkly comedic documentary, “Mockbuster,” offers a behind-the-scenes look at a low-budget film studio.
What makes a good coming-of-age story? “The Deb” seems to have the answer, centering on a farm girl (Natalie Abbott) determined to shine at her school dance and her more cynical cousin (Charlotte MacInnes). The musical received high praise from Cassie Tongue, who called it “a women-centred, lovingly local story with big laughs and big pop choruses.” Though it premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, the release was delayed due to legal issues.
“We Bury the Dead”: A Zombie Thriller with Bite
Table of Contents
- “We Bury the Dead”: A Zombie Thriller with Bite
- “Jimpa”: A Personal Drama from Sophie Hyde
- “Tenzing”: Reaching New Heights
- “Death of an Undertaker”: A Darkly Comic Hybrid
- “Crowded House”: A Documentary Look at a Rock Legend
- “Bear Country”: Russell Crowe Returns
- “Mockbuster”: Inside the World of Low-Budget Films
- “The Fox”: A Talking Animal Comedy
- “The Debt”: A New Voice in Indigenous Horror
Zak Hilditch, known for the intense “These Final Hours,” delivers a chilling twist with “We Bury the Dead,” hitting cinemas February 5. The premise? An accidental weapons deployment off the Australian coast turns a large portion of the population into zombies. Daisy Ridley plays an American woman tasked with collecting corpses as she searches for her missing husband in Tasmania. IndieWire’s Katie Rife lauded the film as “top-notch,” praising its performances, pacing, and cinematography.
“Jimpa”: A Personal Drama from Sophie Hyde
Sophie Hyde’s “Jimpa,” set for release February 19, marks her largest production to date. Starring John Lithgow as a longtime gay rights activist and Olivia Colman as his filmmaker daughter, the film is deeply personal, inspired by the director’s own father’s death. Hyde also features her non-binary teenager, Aud Mason-Hyde, as the daughter’s non-binary teenager, Frances, in a story about reconnection and family.
“Tenzing”: Reaching New Heights
Jennifer Peedom, known for her visually stunning documentaries like “Mountain” and “River,” turns to narrative filmmaking with “Tenzing.” The film tells the story of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who, alongside Edmund Hillary, first summited Mount Everest. Genden Phuntsok stars as Norgay, with Tom Hiddleston as Hillary and Willem Dafoe as expedition leader Colonel John Hunt.
“Death of an Undertaker”: A Darkly Comic Hybrid
Christian Byers’ feature debut, “Death of an Undertaker,” is a unique blend of documentary and fiction. Shot over eight years in a Sydney funeral parlor, the film follows Byers (playing a fictionalized version of himself) as he navigates the often-macabre world of funeral services. The film’s aesthetic is intentionally gritty, reminiscent of Harmony Korine’s “Trash Humpers.”
“Crowded House”: A Documentary Look at a Rock Legend
Richard Lowenstein, director of “Mystify: Michael Hutchence,” turns his lens to another iconic Australian band with a documentary about Crowded House. While Lowenstein’s previous work received mixed reviews, his track record—including films like “Ecco Homo” and “Dogs in Space”—suggests a compelling exploration of the band’s history.
“Bear Country”: Russell Crowe Returns
Russell Crowe has a busy slate, with eight upcoming projects listed. “Bear Country,” a US/Australia co-production based on Thomas Perry’s novel “Strip,” sees Crowe as a strip club owner seeking revenge after a series of robberies. The film reunites Crowe with director Derrick Borte, who previously collaborated on “Unhinged.”
“Mockbuster”: Inside the World of Low-Budget Films
Andrew Firth’s “Mockbuster” offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of The Asylum, a production company known for its low-budget genre films. The documentary follows Firth’s experience working with the studio, capturing the often-hilarious realities of churning out quick, cheap imitations.
“The Fox”: A Talking Animal Comedy
Dario Russo’s feature debut, “The Fox,” is a quirky comedy starring Jai Courtney as a hunter who seeks relationship advice from—you guessed it—a talking fox. Premiering at the Adelaide Film Festival in October, the film promises a surreal and humorous experience with “talking magpies, magic holes, and lots of yapping Jack Russells.”
“The Debt”: A New Voice in Indigenous Horror
Indigenous Australian horror remains a rare genre, with films like 2024’s “The Moogai” and Tracey Moffatt’s 1993 “Bedevil” standing out. “The Debt,” led by South Australian First Nations filmmakers, aims to fill that gap. The film follows Anna as she and her 10-year-old ward face a terrifying ordeal, forcing her to make an impossible choice.
