99 Great Netflix Movies You Can’t Watch In Australia (And How To Secretly Access Them)


Marvel’s Black Panther appeared on US Netflix last month to much jubilation and fanfare. If you’re based in Australia, don’t bother searching for it – the movie isn’t available on the local service. (Boo!)

It’s the latest in a long line of movies that Netflix doesn’t own the streaming rights to in Australia. Fortunately, it’s still possible to access these movies via a little VPN jiggery-pokery. Here are 99 movies exclusive to US Netflix – and how to watch them in Australia.

The following movies are all currently unavailable on the Australian version of Netflix. Annoyingly, this includes films that were actually made in Australia, including The Babadook, Lion, Head On and Strictly Ballroom.

This is by no means an exhaustive list – there are literally hundreds of movies that remain exclusive to the US version of Netflix. According to a recent ACCAN study, Aussie subscribers only receive around 40 per cent of the full US Netflix library.

These 99 movies are just a taste of what you’re missing out on. But don’t despair – as mentioned above, it’s possible to watch all of these films on Australian Netflix with the assistance of a compatible VPN. We explain how it’s done below.

We’ve divided our list into the genres of comedy, action, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, animation and drama. Admittedly, not all of these movies are stone cold classics, but they’re all worth watching at least once – which is something you can’t currently do on Netflix Australia. Tch.

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/08/aussie-vpn-has-found-a-fix-for-the-us-netflix-problem/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/08/StrangerThings-410×231.jpg” title=”This Aussie VPN Has Found A Fix For The US Netflix Problem” excerpt=”The popular VPN provider UFlix recently announced it will no longer support foreign Netflix access following a spike in geo-blocking measures from the streaming giant. If you were a UFlix customer, this means you no longer have access to Netflix’s extensive US library of movies and TV shows. Thankfully, there’s one VPN provider that still appears to be working.”]

Click here to skip straight down to the solution!

COMEDY

Amelie (US Netflix only)


Amélie is an innocent and naive girl in Paris with her own sense of justice. She decides to help those around her and, along the way, discovers love.

Animal House (US Netflix only)


At a 1962 college, Dean Vernon Wormer is determined to expel the entire Delta Tau Chi Fraternity, but those troublemakers have other plans for him.

A Serious Man (US Netflix only)


With every aspect of his life unraveling, a Jewish physics professor seeks out three rabbis for spiritual guidance.

Blazing Saddles (US Netflix only)


In order to ruin a western town, a corrupt politician appoints a black Sheriff, who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary.

Burn After Reading (US Netflix only)


A disk containing mysterious information from a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous and daft gym employees who attempt to sell it.

Francis Ha (US Netflix only)


A New York woman (who doesn’t really have an apartment) apprentices for a dance company (though she’s not really a dancer) and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as the possibility of realizing them dwindles.

Groundhog Day (US Netflix only)


Sent to cover the annual ritual of groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, a self-centered TV weatherman mysteriously begins living the same day again and again.

Heathers (US Netflix only)


Veronica hates the girls in her popular clique. Enter mysterious newcomer J.D., who offers her the perfect solution to end their social tyranny.

Meet the Parents (US Netflix only)


Greg Focker is ready to marry his girlfriend, but before he pops the question, he must win over her formidable father, a humorless former CIA agent.

Mamma Mia! (US Netflix only)


On the Greek isle of Kalokairi, a single mom goes into a tizzy when her bride-to-be daughter invites three of Mom’s ex-lovers to the wedding.

Nacho Libre (US Netflix only)


When Ignacio learns of an orphanage’s financial woes, he pitches in to help — by disguising himself and joining the professional wrestling circuit.

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (US Netflix only)

When his treasured bicycle is stolen, childlike prankster Pee-wee Herman sets off on a whirlwind cross-country adventure to recover it.

Strictly Ballroom (US Netflix only)


Dumped by his partner just before a major dance competition, gifted hoofer Scott Hastings is forced to take a graceless neophyte as his new partner.

Turner and Hooch (US Netflix only)


Fastidious detective Scott Turner is saddled with a slobbering new partner: a dog named Hooch, whose previous owner was killed.

Whatever Works (US Netflix only)

While falling for a Southern belle, an aging eccentric finds himself in a series of strange situations involving the girl’s parents and his own pals.


ACTION

Battle Royale (US Netflix only)


The Japanese government introduces a system whereby randomly chosen schoolchildren are taken to an island and forced to fight each other to the death.

Black Panther (US Netflix only)


T’Challa, the superpowered new leader of the hidden, highly advanced African nation of Wakanda, strives to protect his home from enemies old and new.

Blade 1 & II (US Netflix only)


Half-vampire Blade and his mentor battle clans of vampires who plan to take over the world.

Face/Off (US Netflix only)


An antiterrorism agent goes under the knife to acquire the likeness of a terrorist and gather details about a bombing plot.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and 2 (US Netflix only)


An assassin is shot by her ruthless employer, Bill, and other members of their assassination circle. But she lives — and plots her vengeance.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (US Netflix only)


When the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham murders Robin Hood’s father, the legendary archer vows vengeance and joins a band of exiled villagers.

Spring Breakers (US Netflix only)


After four college girls rob a restaurant to fund their spring break in Florida, they get entangled with a weird dude with his own criminal agenda.

Young Guns (US Netflix only)


Young gunslingers take the law into their own hands when the rancher who took them in and taught them to read is murdered by a rival’s henchmen.


DOCUMENTARY

Blackfish (US Netflix only)


This fascinating documentary examines the life of performing killer whale Tilikum, who has caused the deaths of several people while in captivity.

The Thin Blue Line (US Netflix only)


Through archival footage, interviews and reenactments, filmmaker Errol Morris makes a case for the innocence of a man erroneously convicted of murder.


SCI-FI / FANTASY

Cube (US Netflix only)


Clueless as to how they got there or why they were chosen, six people are caught in a maze of interlocking cubes with no apparent way out.

Ex Machina (US Netflix only)


A coder at a tech company wins a week-long retreat at the compound of his company’s CEO, where he’s tasked with testing a new artificial intelligence.

Doctor Strange (US Netflix only)

After a debilitating accident, a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon hopes to heal by learning the magical arts from an ancient mystic.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (US Netflix only)


The identities of Hellboy, Liz Sherman and Abe Sapien are exposed as they face a new threat: The Golden Army is preparing to attack.

Jurassic Park (US Netflix only)


A multimillionaire unveils a theme park where visitors can see live dinosaurs, but an employee tampers with the security system and the dinos escape.

LOTR: Return Of The King (US Netflix only)


From the idyllic shire of the Hobbits to the smoking chasms of Mordor, Frodo Baggins embarks on his epic quest to destroy the ring of Sauron.

Moon (US Netflix only)


Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet’s power problems.

The NeverEnding Story (US Netflix only)


A troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (US Netflix only)


The daughter of an Imperial scientist joins the Rebel Alliance in a risky move to steal the Death Star plans.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (US Netflix only)


Scott Pilgrim must defeat his new girlfriend’s seven evil exes in order to win her heart.

Serenity (US Netflix only)


The crew of the ship Serenity try to evade an assassin sent to recapture one of their members who is telepathic.

Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (US Netflix only)


As the remnants of the Resistance flee Kylo Ren and the First Order, Rey seeks out Luke Skywalker — but he wants nothing more to do with the Force.

Thor: Ragnarok (US Netflix only)

To save Asgard from a bloodthirsty goddess of death, the mighty Thor will have to battle his way to freedom and find a way back home.


HORROR

47 Meters Down (US Netflix only)


With little oxygen left in their scuba tanks, two sisters are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean while great whites circle nearby.

The Babadook (US Netflix only)


Sam’s frequent tantrums turn sinister when a creepy children’s book mysteriously appears in his room, and he asks his mother, “Do you want to die?”

Cabin Fever (US Netflix only)


As a flesh-eating virus rips its way through a remote woodland cabin, the terrified teens vacationing inside wonder who’ll fall victim next.ext.

The Conjuring (US Netflix only)


Based on true events, this spine-chiller tells the story of a New England family who begins having encounters with spirits in their farmhouse.

The Devil’s Advocate (US Netflix only)

An exceptionally adept Florida lawyer is offered a job to work in New York City for a high-end law firm with a high-end boss – the biggest opportunity of his career to date.

Interview with the Vampire (US Netflix only)


The lives of a trio of vampires are interconnected for centuries in this tale that explores betrayal, love, loneliness and hunger.

Piranha (US Netflix only)


When an earthquake rips open the bottom of Lake Victoria, a bloodbath ensues as schools of carnivorous piranhas are released from their aquatic lair.

Seven (US Netflix only)


A seasoned homicide detective and his new partner are on a desperate hunt for a killer whose gruesome crimes are based on the Seven Deadly Sins.

The Sixth Sense (US Netflix only)


When a 9-year-old boy inexplicably starts seeing dead people, he lands in the care of a child psychologist who’s determined to uncover the truth.

Teeth (US Netflix only)


When a virtuous high school student is sexually assaulted, she discovers that she has an unexpected line of defense: a toothed vagina.

Tusk (US Netflix only)


When a wise-guy podcaster interviews a disabled seafarer, he decides to embark on a transformational quest to track down a dangerous walrus-monster.

The Village (US Netflix only)


When a young man tries to venture beyond his sequestered hamlet, his actions set off a chain of chilling incidents that alter the community forever.

The VVitch (US Netflix only)


Believing that a witch has cursed their family, pilgrims homesteading on the edge of a primeval New England forest become increasingly paranoid.


ANIMATED / FAMILY

An American Tail (US Netflix only)


Fievel, a young Russian mouse, immigrates to America and must make his own way in the strange and sometimes perilous new world.

The BFG (US Netflix only)

A little orphan meets up with a kind giant who’s supposed to eat her but instead protects her from some truly horrible giants who terrorize them both.

Coco (US Netflix only)


On Día de los Muertos, young would-be musician Miguel crosses into the afterlife on a quest to meet his ancestor and understand his family legacy.

The Land Before Time (US Netflix only)

When an earth-shattering quake kills both of his parents, a young brontosaurus named Littlefoot teams up with other orphaned dinosaurs to survive.

Lilo & Stitch (US Netflix only)


Disney’s song-filled animated comedy follows a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo who adopts a funny-looking dog and doesn’t realize it’s a wacky alien.

Moana (US Netflix only)


A Polynesian girl destined to be her island’s chief makes a perilous trip with a boastful demigod to undo his mistake and save her people.

Peter Rabbit (US Netflix only)

In this mix of live action and CGI, rascally Peter Rabbit faces a tough new foe in his ongoing battle for the veggies in Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection (US Netflix only)

This collection of 12 short films from Disney includes “Frozen Fever,” the Mickey Mouse short “Get a Horse!” and Oscar winners “Paperman” and “Feast.”


DRAMA

A Beautiful Mind (US Netflix only)


This Oscar-winning drama charts the life and work of famed economist John Forbes Nash Jr., a brilliant man plagued by the anguish of mental illness.

Alexander: Ultimate Cut (US Netflix only)


When his father is assassinated, Alexander of Macedonia inherits his throne and sets out to build a world-conquering army that will make him immortal.

Anna Karenina (US Netflix only)


In the 19th century, a beautiful but married Russian aristocrat enters into a forbidden love affair with the well-heeled Count Vronsky

Atonement (US Netflix only)


Young Briony fingers a young man for a crime after she discovers a lustful letter and witnesses a sexual encounter between him and her sister.

The Aviator (US Netflix only)


Leonardo DiCaprio portrays eccentric tycoon Howard Hughes, who turned a small fortune into a massive one by building Hollywood and aviation empires.

The Cider House Rules (US Netflix only)


A protégé to a physician who runs an orphanage sets off to see the world, but reality soon intrudes on his youthful idealism and moral certitude.

Cold Mountain (US Netflix only)


This drama follows a wounded Civil War soldier making the long journey home, while his faraway love fights for survival on her deceased father’s farm.

The Crying Game (US Netflix only)

IRA terrorist Fergus bonds with his prisoner, Jody. Jody tells Fergus of his girlfriend, Dil, with whom Fergus later falls in love.

Cruel Intentions (US Netflix only)


Quenching a thirst for dangerous games, a promiscuous teen challenges her stepbrother to deflower their headmaster’s daughter before summer ends.

Dallas Buyers Club (US Netflix only)


Refusing to accept a death sentence from his doctor after being diagnosed with AIDS in 1986, Ron Woodroof smuggles medications from abroad.

Dope (US Netflix only)


Filmed from the perspectives of dealers, users and the police, this vivid series offers a bracing look at the war on drugs.

Empire Records (US Netflix only)


A day in the life of the employees of Empire Records. Except this is a day where everything comes to a head for a number of them facing personal crises – can they pull through together?

The Game (US Netflix only)

Nicholas receives an unusual birthday present from his brother, Conrad — a gift certificate to play a unique kind of game formulated by “CRS.”

The Godfather: Part II (US Netflix only)


This second film in the trilogy explores the Corleone family roots, tracing Don Vito’s journey from Sicily to a life of organized crime in New York.

The Green Mile (US Netflix only)

When a prison guard discovers that a death row inmate possesses mysterious powers, he tries desperately to prevent the condemned man’s execution.

The Hateful Eight (US Netflix only)


Years after the Civil War, a bounty hunter and his captive are waylaid by a Wyoming blizzard and hole up in a way station with six dicey strangers.

Head On (US Netflix only)


This edgy drama follows 19-year-old Ari, a gay Greek-Australian whose roiling ethnic- and sexual-identity struggles lead to a wild, 24-hour odyssey.

Her (US Netflix only)


Love comes to a lonely writer in the sleekest of packages when he finds himself falling for the advanced operating system he bought to run his life.

In Bruges (US Netflix only)


After a job goes wrong in London, two hit men are ordered to lay low at a bed-and-breakfast in Bruges, Belgium, until their boss contacts them.

Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (US Netflix only)


When wealthy Tara weds a handsome king, she thinks she’s found true love. In a cruel twist of fate, however, he takes her servant as his courtesan.

L.A. Confidential (US Netflix only)


Three wildly different cops form an uneasy alliance to ferret out police corruption in this Oscar-winning whodunit set in 1950s Los Angeles.

Lion (US Netflix only)


An Indian man who was separated from his mother at age 5 and adopted by an Australian couple returns home, determined to find his birth family.

Love Actually (US Netflix only)


This ensemble comedy is a charming treatise on romance, telling 10 intertwining London love stories, leading up to a climax on Christmas Eve.

Marie Antoinette (US Netflix only)


This unconventional costume drama charts the rise a young queen and her luxuriously confining lifestyle, which ultimately led to her undoing.

Milk (US Netflix only)

Sean Penn stars in this biopic about Harvey Milk, the openly gay San Francisco politician who was murdered by a disgruntled city supervisor in 1978.

Million Dollar Baby (US Netflix only)


Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn’t prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life.

Mystic River (US Netflix only)


Tragedy reunites childhood friends Sean, Dave and Jimmy when they’re linked together in a murder investigation about Jimmy’s teenage daughter.

No Country for Old Men (US Netflix only)


A drug deal gone bad and a bag full of cash entwine an unsuspecting hunter, a veteran sheriff and a murderous hit man in the stark West Texas desert.

The Power of One (US Netflix only)

Tormented by bullies, a white South African orphan goes to live with a family friend, where he befriends a political prisoner who teaches him to box.

Quiz Show (US Netflix only)


Robert Redford directs this true story of Charles Van Doren, who rocketed to national fame as a repeat winner on the TV quiz show “Twenty-One.”

Schindler’s List (US Netflix only)

Oskar Schindler becomes an unlikely humanitarian, spending his entire fortune to help save 1,100 Jews from Auschwitz during World War II.

Sliding Doors (US Netflix only)

Two different universes unfold in this fantasy about alternate realities, the reliability of subway schedules and fate’s role in shaping lives.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (US Netflix only)

This gripping thriller about Cold War espionage follows an English spy as he returns to MI-6 under suspicion that he’s become a Soviet operative.

Tulip Fever (US Netflix only)


During the Dutch tulip mania, love blooms between a wealthy merchant’s wife and a painter, but their future together hinges on a risky bet.

V for Vendetta (US Netflix only)


A masked freedom fighter known as “V” takes up arms against a totalitarian government and finds an unlikely ally in a young woman.

Unforgiven (US Netflix only)


Retired gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes one last job — and even more reluctantly accepts a boastful young man as a partner.

We Own The Night (US Netflix only)


In 1980s Brooklyn, two brothers struggle to keep each other safe even though one is a cop and the other manages a nightclub for Russian gangsters.

Y Tu Mamá También (US Netflix only)

When rich teens Tenoch and Julio meet the alluring, older Luisa, they try to impress her with stories of a road trip, then convince her to join them.


How to watch these movies in Australia

When you travel overseas, Netflix automatically switches your account to the content available in that region. However, as soon as you return to Australia, the service reverts back to the local library.

If you sign up to a VPN provider with an American server, it’s possible to “trick” Netflix into thinking you’re accessing the site from the US. This will result in you getting the entire US library of content, including all of the movies listed above.

Good, reliable VPNs aren’t free, but neither are they prohibitively expensive – most options will only cost you a few dollars per month. (Nord VPN currently has 70% off select VPN plansclick here for details.)

Using a VPN to bypass Netflix’s geoblocks is a violation of its terms of service – but it’s not illegal and you can’t be fined for it. Even if Netflix works out what you’re doing, it’s highly unlikely that they will cancel your account or even contact you about it. The company isn’t interested in harassing paying customers and is generally happy to turn a blind eye.

With that said, pressure from licence holders has resulted in Netflix cracking down on VPN providers via blocking mechanisms. An endless game of cat and mouse has thus ensued – with VPNs attempting to implement workarounds whenever Netflix rolls out a new block.

You should therefore steer clear of lengthy VPN contracts even though these are cheaper in the long run. (i.e. – If Netflix managed to block your VPN of choice permanently, you’ll be stuck paying for something that no longer fulfils your requirements.)

All you need to do now is find a suitably wily VPN provider that has managed to stay one step ahead of Netflix’s blocks. As luck would have it, we’ve already shortlisted five VPNs that are ideal for this very purpose. Click here to see our recommendations!

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/05/five-vpns-you-can-use-to-access-us-netflix-in-australia/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/05/TV-Netflix-410×231.jpg” title=”Five VPNs That Let You Access American Netflix” excerpt=”I imagine that upon first accessing the US Netflix library, most Australians begin to belt out the classic Aladdin jam “A Whole New World” – it truly is like stepping into an alternate, content-filled universe of TV and movies. Unfortunately, since Netflix cracked down on VPNs at the beginning of 2016, its been much harder to access the US library, but fret not! Here’s some reliable VPNs that will grant you a golden ticket to Netflix-and-chill-ville.”]


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