I love watching Christmas movies during the holiday season, but they are often filled with snow, cheesy romance and traditions that just aren’t all that relatable to my culture (that is, Australian culture). Firstly, it doesn’t snow here during the holidays – Christmas in Australia is HOT. Secondly, we have some slightly different traditions due to those weather differences; Christmas swims, backyard or beach cricket, and having a laugh over terrible jokes from our Christmas crackers to name a few. Despite the differences, there is a lot about Christmas that we all share; and that is the togetherness of loved ones and seasonal stresses.

Australian film is an extraordinary film category in its own right, but I genuinely believe there is something truly special about Australian Christmas movies. I don’t know whether it is because I am Australian and therefore find these storylines more relatable, or if it is my love of film that allows me to appreciate the unique artistry of Australian film, or perhaps its both, but I just find that Australian Christmas films speak to my soul on a deeper level.

There is a uniqueness to Australian film that just has this wonderful way of combining Australian comedic style with a deeper and raw emotional story to create some of the most moving stories in cinema I have ever seen. When that is combined with the elements of Christmas in Australian culture, it has created some of the most moving Christmas movies I have seen; because let’s face it, when something is relatable it just hits different.

So, for my fellow Aussies – or anyone interested in seeing how we celebrate the holidays – here’s a list of some Australian Christmas films that have captured the Aussie Christmas spirit within some genuinely moving stories.

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Jones Family Christmas would have to be my favourite Australian Christmas movie that I have seen. Not only is it a moving story, it is highly relatable to Australian culture.

The story follows the Jones family as they have finally managed to all come together at the family home for Christmas. The family has had their challenges, however Heather Jones – mother/grandmother of the family – is filled with joy to have her family back together. However, the festivities are disrupted before they begin when they receive a fire evacuation order. The family must band together and rediscover what matters most.

This story is one of the most beautiful and relatable stories about family, the holidays, and the harsh realities of the Australian summer holiday season.

Every family has its challenges, and when all the kids have grown up and started their own lives, it can be challenging to get everyone together at once. The holidays have a unique way of highlighting these absences and challenges. This is a holiday trait that is shared across the world; however, something uniquely Australian during the Christmas holiday season is the very real and fearful threat of bushfire season.

Jones Family Christmas has everything that should be in a Christmas movie; family drama, comedy, honest and raw emotion, relatability, a little bit of tragedy and a rebirth moment into celebrating togetherness. If you are going to watch one Australian Christmas movie this Christmas, make it this one.

Watch the trailer here:

A Sunburnt Christmas is an unexpectedly heartwarming movie. It is very Australian, set on a farm in rural Australia, and filled with the classic Aussie sarcastic, dry humour that always makes those raw emotional moments hit you for six (an Aussie term for hitting hard).

The story follows a family struggling to make ends meet on their farm. However, things change when a criminal dressed as Santa Claus ends up on their farm.

While this is very Australian, it has that universal Christmas magic that is shared across the globe; togetherness and the wonder and innocence children bring to Christmas. Also, while it isn’t overly adult, this could be a great film to watch with your family if you have older/teenage children. If you are looking for a good laugh with a heartwarming story, definitely watch A Sunburnt Christmas this Christmas.

Watch the trailer here:

A Savage Christmas is a film that truly highlights some of the biggest family issues that come out during the holidays, including communication issues, secrets, lies, addiction, and debt. However, it also highlights some of the most incredible things about the holidays, including love, togetherness, and connection.

There is also a queer storyline that I believe will be highly relatable to many individuals and families; the struggle to accept and adjust to their transgender child. However, this story has the additional complexity of this individual having gone on walkabout and not had communication with their family for 3 years, which is a uniquely Australian Indigenous rite of passage in which males take a journey into the wilderness to make their transition into manhood.

It does take a moment to really get into this story because the beginning is, well… it is awkward and tense… but I genuinely think that that is a testament to the acting and storytelling skills of the actors and the writers of this story. So, if you do watch A Savage Christmas and you are struggling to connect at the beginning, please give it a chance; it is a genuinely moving story, and you’ll have a good laugh along the way (because let’s face it, it wouldn’t be an Aussie movie without using comedy to buffer the real, deep feelings).

Watch the trailer here:

Christmess tells a story that is all too relatable for many people around the world; struggles with addiction and family estrangement. It is a cruel reality of the Christmas season that these issues can spark immense loneliness and can really put people’s sobriety to the test. Sometimes people just need a little help to get back on track, and this story gives the perfect portrayal of that, highlighting the importance of chosen family and togetherness.

I think this is a highly relatable story for many people, and it is a really moving story. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and your heart is bound to grow three times its size.

Watch the trailer here:

At the time of writing this, I have yet to watch this movie; I have specifically been waiting for Gravy Day (an unofficial Australian holiday that falls on the 21st of December) to watch it. I feel that it will be an incredibly moving story that will likely become an Australian classic.

The story is based on the Australian classic song by Aussie music legend Paul Kelly, “How to Make Gravy”, which tells the story of prisoner Joe’s letter of lament to his brother Dan about how he wants to be with his family at Christmas and not being able to make the gravy for the roast and how much he misses everyone.

I am a huge fan of the song, and I have often tried to imagine what things would look like as I listen to the story. I often compare my own Christmas experiences and memories; gathering in the kitchen helping to prepare the feast of food for Chrissy lunch, gathering in the lounge room ripping away wrapping paper to reveal what has been sitting under the tree, and just being together with my most loved and treasured people, as well as the times where I have been apart from them as the holidays evolved with passing time and people… I am very much looking forward to watching this film. I honestly think that it is going to be brilliant, even just the trailer gives me goosebumps and gets me teary eyed.

Watch the trailer here:

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There it is; five Australian Christmas films to add to your Christmas watch list. These are all great films if you are an Aussie and wanting to watch something a little more relatable to Aussie Christmas culture. If you happen to be an Aussie and are away from home for the holidays and feeling a little homesick, these are the perfect films to give you a little taste of home for Christmas. Or perhaps you’re not Australian and you are curious about how we do Christmas in Aus. These are all great Christmas films for anyone to enjoy.

Merry Christmas, Happy Gravy Day, and happy watching.

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