Shhh… do you hear that?
It’s the gentle jingle of the opening credits from a delightfully cheesy, hopelessly upbeat Hallmark Christmas movie – just one of many that will be playing in my living room over the next seven weeks.
I’ll admit it. Come November 1st, I give myself full permission to dive headfirst into the world of terribly scripted, snowy-covered romantic comedies – but! – as an Aussie, it’s sometimes nice to feel like they’re set a little closer to home. And if you’re visiting from overseas, maybe you don’t want to be transported to a snowy wonderland quite so quickly.
So, while we fully endorse watching as many festive flicks set on Christmas tree farms in Utah as you can possibly manage, we also wanted to share our favourite festive movies set right here in Australia.
Jones Family Christmas (2023)
This one is a version of your classic ‘kid comes home for Christmas’ trope. Heather Jones finally manages to get all her kids under one roof for Christmas, but just before they can celebrate, they’re evacuated due to a nearby bushfire. They have to put all their issues aside and band together to keep each other safe. Oh, and save Christmas, of course. There are also a few familiar faces, such as Heather Mitchell (known for Muriel’s Wedding) and Tanya Hennesy (comedian).
Where to watch: Stan Australia
Christmas on the Farm (2021)
For anyone who is a fan of the ‘rich lady/gent visits small town and becomes a better person’ genre of movie – this one’s for you. Aspiring author and Aussie ex-pat now living in NYC, Poppy Montgomery, accidentally-on-purpose uses her late mum’s journals to write a memoir of her youth in Australia, only she sells it as her very own story. Fast forward to it being picked up by a publisher who will only get on board if they can come and visit the farm where Poppy lives. That’s right, not lived – lives. She has to fly back to her childhood home and convince her old mates to go along with her dramas, all in time for the arrival of the publisher, and Christmas, too. As you can imagine, chaos ensues.
Where to watch: Stan Australia
Crackers (1998)
Featuring some classic Aussie humour, nostalgic 90s vibes and a dysfunctional family who have to spend Christmas together, Crackers isn’t your typical Christmas movie, but it’s not half bad. A mum drags her tween son off to her parents’ house in the suburbs, where he’s forced to spend Christmas sharing a shed with his estranged great-grandfather and hating on his mum’s new boyfriend, and his son. It’s been called ‘criminally underrated’, but maybe we’ll let you be the judge of that on.
Where to watch: YouTube
A Savage Christmas (2023)
After years of estrangement, trans woman Davina Savage returns home for Christmas – and she’s bringing her boyfriend. Bracing herself for judgment, she instead discovers her family has been busy harbouring their own secrets and lies. What follows is an unexpectedly funny, heartfelt and slightly terrifying holiday reunion. Directed by Madeline Dyer and starring Thea Raveneau in her feature debut, A Savage Christmas might not be your traditional feel-good Christmas flick, but it’s honest, irreverent and absolutely worth your time.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Da Kath and Kim Code (2005)
We couldn’t do an Aussie Christmas list without talking about quintessential Aussie icons, Kath & Kim. Their Christmas-set special is the perfect blend of festive chaos and suburban satire. When Kath and Kel return from their European honeymoon, they find Fountain Lakes in a tizzy. Sharon’s love life is a mess, Brett’s in trouble (again), and a mysterious invitation from Michael Bublé himself sends everyone completely bonkers. There’s tinsel, turkey and plenty of “noice” one-liners, all wrapped up in the gloriously awkward charm only Kath & Kim can deliver. It’s silly, sparkly and very Australian.
Where to watch: Netflix Australia
