Editor's Pick: 32 of the best movies on Netflix Australia

When you have on-demand access to thousands of new release and classic movies from every genre, narrowing down your choices for that perfect Friday night flick isn’t always easy. Netflix offers incredible entertainment value for your dollars, but almost too many options if you’re a ‘can’t decide’ type.

Luckily, you don't have to spend all evening pouring through every title in Netflix's library. Here are some of our favourite picks from Netflix's Aussie catalogue - if you're looking for comedy, family fun or a high-stakes thriller, we've got something for you. 

The best movies on Netflix Australia

• The best comedy movies on Netflix Australia
• The best drama movies on Netflix Australia
• The best horror movies on Netflix Australia
• The best documentaries on Netflix Australia
• The best kids movies on Netflix Australia

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The best comedy movies on Netflix

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Always Be My Maybe

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Anula's notions: An actually not very cheesy rom-com.

Rating:

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) are childhood sweethearts who go their separate ways after one night in the backseat of a car before college. When the pair reunite 15 years later, Sasha is a celebrity chef and Marcus is still in the same room he grew up in.

Together they struggle through the opposing worlds they live in, dealing with some very real issues like Marcus’ fears of success, and Sasha’s abandonment issues. And also some not so real ones, like getting into a fist fight with Keanu Reeves. A refreshingly real romantic comedy, that hits the high notes with seeming ease. - Anula Wiwatowska

I'm Not An Easy Man

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Alex's analysis: Social satire masquerading as a rom-com that makes for an entertaining yet poignant watch. 

Alex's rating:

After chauvinist marketing man Damian bashes his head on a street sign, he comes to in a matriarchal society where men are treated as less-than-equal. I'm Am Not An Easy Man leans into its gender-reversal-Freaky-Friday-esque premise so hard that it's about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but manages to effectively combine laugh-out-loud comedy with scathing criticism of how society treats women. While far from perfect, I'm Not An Easy Man is an important watch, especially in the #MeToo era - Alex Choros

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To All the Boys I've Loved Before

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Jacqui's gist: High school wall flower Lara Jean's life is turned upside down when all her secret crushes suddenly become not so secret.

Jacqui's rating: 

I'm going to put all my cards on the table: this is an adorable movie. It has an adorable main character, she has adorable crushes on adorable boys and the whole story is just so cute. In a good way.

Here's what happens: Lara Jean is a shy and quiet type of girl who has written love letters to every boy she's ever liked. And then not sent them. She keeps them safe and sound in a box under her bed. Until - shock and horror - someone mails them. And her life gets complicated. To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a surprisingly original feel good triumph to watch in your pyjamas with snacks and squees at the ready - Jacqui Dent

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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Jacqui's gist: Over forty years later, this absurdist comedy classic is still one of the funniest movies you can find anywhere.

Jacqui's rating:

If you haven't seen any Monty Python yet, now's your chance. An absolute trove of the work that inspired generations of comedians is now on Netflix and it's as side-splittingly hilarious today as it was four decades ago. Several titles in the Monty Python collection could arguably claim the crown of 'best' but among them Holy Grail is one of the strongest contenders, and a great jumping-off point if you're new to Python. 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an intertwined series of comedy sketches following the mythical King Arthur's fight against killer rabbits, rude Frenchmen, three-headed knights obsessed with shrubberies and his own lack of a horse on his quest to find the Holy Grail. It's completely silly, often surreal and always absurd. It also happens to be a masterpiece - Jacqui Dent

Between Two Ferns: The Movie

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Anula's notions: A mockumentary about Zach Galifinakis’s public access TV show trying to get picked up for prime time by a cashed up Will Ferrell.

Anula's Rating:

Based on the series of the same name, we follow Zach’s journey to *jazz hands* “become a star". When Ferrell approaches Zach with the chance to take his show to the big leagues, his crew and his two ferns embark on a road trip to perform a series of err… problematic interviews, with high-profile celebrities. 

For fans of the show, you can expect the trademark cringe worthy interviews and a surprisingly sweet story about following your dreams. Yep, some moments are laugh-out-loud while others are laughable - but that’s exactly what you’d want from a Between Two Ferns movie - Anula Wiwatowska

Silver Linings Playbook

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Jacqui's gist: Jam-packed with incredible performances, Silver Linings Playbook is a totally off-the-wall comedy drama about learning to function within dysfunction.

Jacqui's rating:

After his release from psychiatric hospital, Pat Solanto (Bradley Cooper) makes a deal with his erratic neighbour Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence): he will be her partner in a dance competition if she will help him get in contact with his estranged ex-wife. Pat and Tiffany are like dynamite together - and not always in a good way. But there's something about their volatile relationship that works and as the dance competition draws closer they both start to have doubts as to whether Pat still wants to be with his ex-wife. Silver Linings Playbook is a delightfully frenetic and ultimately uplifting story about surviving and thriving with mental illness - Jacqui Dent

The Nice Guys

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Jacqui's gist: Not even Russell Crowe can ruin this hilarious story of two incompetent private investigators in over their heads.

Jacqui's rating:

Ryan Gosling is a detective with a drinking problem. Russell Crowe is a thug with a heart. When a girl called Amelia hires one to beat up the other, the two realise the girl is in danger and team up to investigate. Badly. The Nice Guys is the latest effort from Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang writer/director Shane Black and it more than measures up to the comic genius of its PI comedy predecessor. Gosling and Crowe excel in their roles and young Australian actress Angourie Rice proves herself their equal with her own stand-out performance. The Nice Guys is clever, gripping and laugh-out-loud funny - Jacqui Dent

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The best drama movies on Netflix

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MOXiE!

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Anula's notions:  The birth of an angry feminist is a thing of beauty.

Anula's rating:

When the new girl starts at school, brandishing a passion for equality, the usually mousy Vivian (Hadley Robinson) decides it’s time to be something more. In the search for her own passion, Viv learns about her Mum’s (Amy Poehler) patriarchy-crushing past.

Inspired by the vivacity of the women around her, the 16-year-old unleashes her homemade zine MOXiE! unto the world. Rallying the women and allies in her school to speak up, and fight for the same rights as their male counterparts. Sparking female solidarity through her school and realising her own place in the feminist narrative. - Anula Wiwatowska

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Suffragette

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Jacqui's gist: A powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that were made to win rights we now take for granted.

Jacqui's rating:

In 1912 London, working-class mother Maud Watts joins the suffragettes, a group of female activists fighting what seems like an impossible battle for women's right to vote. Her story paints a powerful picture of the struggles women faced at work, at home and in the community, living in a society in which they had no political voice. It also brings home the unimaginable sacrifices women made in order to win their right to equality. An inspiring and moving story that you'll find hard to forget - Jacqui Dent

I, Tonya

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Jacqui's gist: The Tonya Harding skating scandal is one of those stories that would be unbelievable if it weren't true. 

Jacqui's rating:

In 1994 the American figure skater Tonya Harding's career ended in controversy when her ex-husband orchestrated an attack on her skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan. I, Tonya is the incredible true story of how that came to happen. Everything about this movie is surprising, from the humour to the heartbreak to the real details of the crime that shocked the world of sport. There was a lot of talk about this movie at Oscar time and it's easy to see why. I, Tonya is a movie that deserves all its hype - Jacqui Dent

Snowpiercer

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Anula's notions: If you've ever felt like you're just going round in circles, not getting anywhere just be happy you're not on this train.

Anula's rating:

This glaringly obvious representation of a class-based society plays out within a train, housing the world's last remaining inhabitants. Revolution brews from the downtrodden living in the final carriage and as the train circles the globe, the uprising plows through in an attempt to make it to the front. 

While the metaphors are as on the nose as they come, this film speaks volumes about classism and chaos, and does it with a reverence you can't help but appreciate - Anula Wiwatowska

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Howl's Moving Castle

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Anula's notions: *incoherent sobbing*

Anula's rating:

Young 'plain' Sophie is working in a hat shop, when Howl - known wizard, and eater of beautiful girl's hearts - comes flying through the town. Sophie doesn't think she has anything to worry about, and worries even less when she becomes cursed to live in the body of an elderly woman. Old Sophie befriends Howl, and a fire demon named Calcifer, and becomes entangled in Howl's resistance against the king's war.

There are so many twists and turns, and if you have never seen it before you'll probably need to watch it twice. Director Miyazaki set out to convey the message that life is worth living, and it will get you there, while tearing your heart up, before piecing it gently back together. - Anula Wiwatowska

Side Effects

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Jacqui’s gist: It may seem like your standard drama/thriller but Side Effects is far from ordinary.

Jacqui's rating:

When Emily Taylor becomes depressed following the release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new kind of prescription medication for relief. But that's about as much as I want to tell you about the plot of Side Effects, because the best part of this movie is the twists. There are several, they are shocking and you will not see them coming. That plus the excellent casting of Rooney Mara and Jude Law make this movie well worth a watch - Jacqui Dent

The Dark Knight

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Alex's analysis: Not just a great comic book movie, a great movie full stop. 

Alex's rating:

The Dark Knight feels like less of a superhero movie, and more of a neo-noir. Sure, there's still spectacular action set pieces, but the stakes are almost entirely personal. There's no improbable "the whole world is at stake" nonsense, grounding the film firmly in reality. Which is impressive, given that it's literally about a man in a bat costume and a psychopathic clown. The Dark Knight was arguably the first superhero movie for adults, and one - that in my opinion - has yet to be surpassed - Alex Choros

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John Wick

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Tara’s take: A fast-paced revenge film that’s seriously fun to watch - except when the dog dies. ??

Tara's rating:

Perfect and pure human angel Keanu Reeves is John Wick - also known as ‘Baba Yaga’, a legendary hit-man who retired from the murder-for-hire game to settle down and get married. But after his wife dies of illness and his puppy is killed by Russian mobsters, Wick goes straight-up beast mode in his quest for vengeance. John Wick is an excellent return to action form for Matrix star Keanu, and a future neo-noir classic - but you’ll have to pick up the sequel to see just exactly how the titular Wick can kill three men in a bar with only a pencil - Tara Donnelly 

The King

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Jacqui's gist: A haunting retelling of Shakespeare's Henry V.

Jacqui's rating:

If you don't like Shakespeare, don't worry. Writers Joel Edgerton and David Michôd have stripped out the verse and replaced it with dialogue that is short, sharp and to the point. If you do like Shakespeare, don't worry. All your favourite themes and character arcs are still there, but even more profound thanks to some innovative twists on the Bard's classic storylines. If you don't know any Shakespeare, just watch it anyway because it's got great acting, stunning visuals and it's a damn good story - Jacqui Dent

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The best horror movies on Netflix

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Annihilation

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Alex's analysis:  A super smart horror, perhaps best described as Alien meets a bad trip.

Alex's rating:

After a small meteor collides with earth, a crack team of military scientists are tasked with investigating the quarantined impact site. As they explore "The Shimmer", the team encounter mutated wild life, twisted human remains, and find they can longer remember extended stretches of time. It only gets weirder from there. While Annihilation can be enjoyed purely as a sci-fi tinged horror, it also succeeds as a cerebral film: when it's not grossing you out with gore, Annihilation asks big questions about what it means to be human. It sure is a wild ride - Alex Choros

Cam

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Alex's analysis: A more surreal, almost Lynchian take on the whole Black Mirror "what if technology, but too much" trope.

Alex's rating:

Alice - aka Lola_Lola - is a moderately successful camgirl (Google it, just not at work) who's looking to make the big leagues. But as she works her way up the "most watched" list, she finds herself locked out of her account, replaced by a digital double. Channelling the likes of Hitchcock and Lynch, Cam is nuanced and surprisingly tasteful for a movie that's ostensibly about taking your clothes off online, and explores themes that stretch far beyond what you might expect. Well worth the watch - Alex Choros

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The best docos on Netflix

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Fantastic Fungi

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Kate's comment: You know how mesmerising it is to watch a time-lapse of a mushroom bursting into shape? Imagine that feeling for 80 minutes. This is visual ASMR.

Kate's rating:

I know, when you’re searching for something to watch, mushrooms might not exactly top the list of subject matter you want to indulge in. But hear me out. This doco is both educational AND relaxing. Watching ‘shrooms in a time lapse is like a massage for your eyeballs. Plus there’s loads of fun facts. Like, did you know there’s over 1.5 million types of fungi? That’s really putting the FUN in fungi… *pause for laughter*.

It delves into the psychedelic realm of mushies, too - so whether you prefer learning about their ‘transcendental’ uses, their pivotal role in our ecosystems, or just slathered in butter on toast, Fantastic Fungi is worth a watch. - Kate Reynolds

The Great Hack

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Jacqui's gist: A must-see for anyone who uses the internet. So, for everyone.

Jacqui's rating:

If you've ever wondering whether online privacy matters, watch The Great Hack and you'll know. This eye-opening documentary delves into the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and the ways our online data can now be used to influence election results, with curated ads targeting individual voters to change their world-view - Jacqui Dent

Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

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Alex's analysis: The story behind 2017's best schadenfreude moment.

Alex's rating:

Fyre was meant to be a luxury music festival, the next big thing. Instead, it turned into an influencer-filled Lord of the Flies. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened tells the story of why punters who paid thousands of dollars to attend a luxury event ended up staying in rescue tents and eating pre-packaged sandwiches. A tense, gripping look at how it all went so wrong - Alex Choros

One of Us

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Jacqui's gist: This heartbreaking documentary follows the lives of three individuals as they try to leave the Hasidic Jewish community.

Jacqui's rating:

In the heart of modern Brooklyn lives an ultra-conservative Jewish community. They isolate themselves from the secular world by speaking mostly Yiddish, wearing the clothes of their European ancestors and ostracising any community members who try to leave. One of Us follows the stories of three of those people. Cut off from friends and family and struggling to survive, this documentary exposes the trials and resilience of three individuals who have been pushed by abuse and trauma to explore the world outside - Jacqui Dent

Amy

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Joe's judgement: Heartbreaking and genuinely surprising, Amy is a must-see even if you have never been interested in her music.

Joe's rating:

Charting the life of musician Amy Winehouse from the very beginning of her career to her untimely death, this documentary shines a light on the details of her short time in the spotlight, her relationships and the way she struggled with her sudden rise in popularity. Director Asif Kapadia digs up fascinating archival footage and tells her story through interviews with her closest friends. I thought I knew the Amy Winehouse before I watched this and was staggered by the tragedy of the circumstances leading to her passing away. It also had me singing her songs in the shower for weeks after - Joe Hanlon 

Icarus

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Jacqui's gist: Amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel stumbles into the heart of Russia's state-sponsored doping conspiracy.

Jacqui's rating: 

There are a lot of "wait, what?" moments in this doco. Cyclist Bryan Fogel decides to use a pro-grade sports doping program to cheat his way through one of the most difficult amateur races in the world - just to prove it can be done. So he gets in touch with the Director of Russia's anti-doping lab, Grigory Rodchenkov, who cheerfully agrees to guide him through the process - on camera. And while he's at it Rochenkov freely admits to widespread corruption and cheating in Russia's Olympic program - on camera. And then the story goes public and Rodchenkov flees Russia in fear of his life - to Bryan Fogel's house. Things escalate from there in this stranger-than-fiction look into perhaps the outrageous sports scandals of our time - Jacqui Dent

13th

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Tara's take: A harrowing but important look at racial discrimination and modern-day slavery in the US.

Tara's rating:

It’s easy to claim that all lives matter, but the Oscar-nominated 13th – helmed by Selma director Ava DuVernay – shows that in the US legal system, the dice remain loaded for black Americans. DuVernay argues that, after the Civil War saw slavery abolished, the African-American community simply moved from one set of chains to another. The plantations may be long gone, but America’s for-profit prisons, war on crime and drugs, and continued oppression of minorities has seen incarceration rates skyrocket, and allowed a still-legal form of slavery in prison labour.  13th is frequently uncomfortable, but in the current worldwide political climate, should be required viewing - Tara Donnelly 

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The best kids movies on Netflix

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Vivo

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Kate's comment: If you’ve ever wondered what Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda would be like as a singing kinkajou traversing the wild, wild lands of Florida, wonder no more.

Kate's rating:

The soundtrack alone of this Disney-esque musical animated flick is enough to sell Vivo; it’s filled with Miranda’s signature word-play hip-hop, mixed with Latin American sounds that’s ripe for toe-tapping and humming along. Vivo (Miranda) is a kinkajou (a possum-like animal) who spends all day playing music with his best (human) friend Andrés on the streets of Cuba. Due to a series of tragic events, he finds himself suddenly in Florida with an urgent message to deliver. With the help of larger-than-life tween Gabi, they traverse through the swamp to sing one final song for Andrés’ one true love; Marta Sandoval, who’s performing that night.

If this movie doesn’t have you singing

‘I march to the beat of my own drum!’ over and over like the individual rockstar you are, then I don’t know what will. -Kate Reynolds

The Mitchells vs. The Machines

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Alex's analysis: It might be a kids movie, but it's definitely not just for kids

Alex's rating:

What starts as a family road trip to take Katie to film school devolves into chaos as the Mitchells find themselves in the middle of a robot uprising. A laugh out loud funny animated sci-fi worth watching no matter your age. Especially even if you're even just the slightest bit online - Alex Choros 

The Karate Kid

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Tara’s take: A warm and surprisingly powerful classic that’s perfect for when you need a break from Pixar.  

Tara's rating:

The ultimate feel-good family movie, The Karate Kid is what happens when teenage angst meets martial arts. Working class hero Daniel takes on rich kid black-belt bullies with the aid of the unassuming Mr. Miyagi; training and fight montages ensue, and good triumphs over evil. Although this 1984 classic suffered a reboot in 2010, the original still holds up as a touching coming-of-age/underdog story about learning the true meaning of bravery, honour, and strength – and if that sounds a little hokey, well, it was the 80s. Say no to drugs and stay in school - Tara Donnelly 

How to Train Your Dragon

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Jacqui's gist: Toothless the Dragon is the real star of this movie. And I suppose the humans are okay too.

Jacqui's rating:

There's usually something kind of corny about dragons. I've never much liked them but I love the dragons in this movie. The animators of How to Train Your Dragon have brought a lifelike authenticity to these fantasy creatures that is rarely seen in film. You will come out of this movie in love with Toothless the Dragon and inspired by his Viking friends. Beyond the captivating creatures, How to Train Your Dragon is a funny and thoughtful story about learning to see a friend where others see a fearsome beast - Jacqui Dent 

Hotel Transylvania 2

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Anula's notions: It’s an Adam Sandler movie, except everyone is cartoon monsters.

Anula's Rating:

WARNING: Hotel Transylvania 1 spoilers.

The sequel follows on after Mavis and Johnny’s wedding. When they have their first human/vampire child named Dennis, Drac struggles with the idea that his grandchild might not be a vampire! Cue the usual tomfoolery with Drac and the gang as they try to help Dennis find his fangs.

Adam Sandler’s crew have stumbled into their winning format with this franchise. Wrought with their trademark silliness, Hotel Transylvania is every Adam Sandler movie repackaged as a child-friendly romp. Plus, there’s something about Steve Buscemi as an exhausted werewolf that is eerily accurate - Anula Wiwatowska

Matilda

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Jacqui's gist: One of the greatest Roald Dahl movie adaptations ever made, Matilda may be twenty years old now but it hasn't aged a day.

Jacqui's rating:

Matilda is a girl-genius born into a family that doesn't value education. Neglected and forgotten, she finds her way to her local public library and after reading every book on every shelf, develops the power of telekinesis and gets her own back on her bad parents and worse primary school principle. This is a movie every child needs in their life. It has everything good kids' movies should. A kick-arse six-year-old. A delightfully wicked villain. Danny DeVito. Cake. Newts. And mischief - Jacqui Dent 

Dangal

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Jacqui's gist: The inspiring true story of a father in a small Indian village who bucks tradition by training his two daughters to become world class wrestlers.

Jacqui's rating:

When Mahavir Singh has to give up his dream of becoming an Olympic wrestler, he hopes one day his children will achieve it in his stead. There's only one problem - all his children are girls. But when his two eldest Geeta and Babita show a talent for beating up local village boys, Mahavir realises his mistake in discounting them and pushes them to follow in his footsteps. At two hours and forty minutes, Dangal is a little long, but it still manages to be gripping and full of pathos. Break it up into two sittings, watch with the whole family and be ready to cheer for the girls - Jacqui Dent

Still can't find anything to watch? Check out the best movies on Amazon Prime Video Australia instead.