Spending more time scrolling through streaming menus than actually watching a show is a common problem. With so much content available, finding something new to watch can feel like a chore. To help you make the most of your subscriptions, this list sorts through the options to highlight the best shows streaming in Australia right now. From brand-new blockbusters to acclaimed hits you might have missed, this guide will point you towards your next great binge-watch.
Best shows to stream on Netflix
HIS & HERS
Based on the novel of the same name by Alice Feeney, this 6-episode limited series stars Tessa Thompson as Anna, a journalist and news anchor and John Bernthal as Jack, a detective, and Anna's estranged husband. When Anna and Jack are thrown back together after a mysterious murder, long since buried secrets threaten to be exposed in the hunt for the killer.
Stranger Things
You can't go far on the internet without seeing discourse about this show that has taken over the world. Stranger Things follows residents of fictional Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s when a young boy, Will, goes missing. The hunt for Will unearths supernatural creatures, a hidden dimension known as the Upside Down and Eleven, a young girl with hidden powers. Starring Wynona Ryder, David Harbour and a suite of very talented child actors, you can't miss this phenomenon.
House of Guinness
Set in 1860's Dublin, Ireland, this period-drama focuses on the children of the infmaous Guinness family (yes, that Guinness) after the patriarch suddenly dies. The family struggle with the weight of taking over the brewer, what comes next for the brand and what the Guinness legacy means while battling the hostile political landscape of the time. See how the small-time beer became the powerhouse brand it is today and how family must stick together in the face of tragedy.
Best shows to stream on BritBox
Absolutely Fabulous
This iconic British comedy stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley as Edina ‘Eddy’ Monsoon and Patsy Stone, two high-powered, hard-partying friends in London's fashion and PR world. Fueled by Bollinger champagne and a desperate desire to stay hip, the self-obsessed duo chase trends and fads with disastrous results. Their hedonistic lifestyle is a constant source of horror for Eddy's sensible, long-suffering daughter Saffron (Julia Sawalha), who acts as the disapproving adult in their chaotic lives.
Broadchurch
This critically acclaimed crime drama follows the investigation into a young boy's murder in a small coastal town. The series, which became a national phenomenon in the UK, stars David Tennant as the abrasive DI Alec Hardy and Olivia Colman in her BAFTA-winning role as the empathetic DS Ellie Miller. As their investigation unfolds under a national media frenzy, the community is torn apart by suspicion. The show received universal acclaim and won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.
Emma
This four-part BBC adaptation brings Jane Austen’s classic novel to life, starring Romola Garai as the clever and beautiful Emma Woodhouse. Confident in her matchmaking skills, Emma meddles in the love lives of her friends with often disastrous and hilarious results. While there have been a few Emma reimaginings made, this version brings a new level of insight into one of Austen’s most beloved characters.
Best shows to stream on Stan
Bump
This hit Stan Original comedy-drama centers on Oly Chalmers-Davis (Nathalie Morris), an ambitious, high-achieving student with her future perfectly planned out. Her life is spectacularly derailed when she collapses at school and gives birth, having had no idea she was pregnant. The father is fellow student Santi Hernandez (Carlos Sanson Jr.), and the two teenagers, along with their messy and complicated families, must learn to navigate the challenges of unexpected parenthood and forging a new kind of modern family.
Dear Life
This Australian drama based on the memoir of palliative care nurse, centers on Lillian, played by Brooke Satchwell. Lillian is a grieving widow who is determined to find connection with the recipients of her dead husband's organ donations. This story of grief explores the ripple effects of organ donation and how relationships can be formed in the most unlikely places.
Sunny Nights
This crime comedy follows American siblings, Vicki and Martin, who move to Sydney to pursue a spray tanning business, but find themselves accidentally pulled into the criminal underbelly of the city. This hilarious duo, played by D'Arcy Carden and Will Forte, must quickly learn how to build their business while handling dangerous the Aussie gangsters set on ending their lives. The cast is rounded out with a group of talented Aussie actors who play the quirky characters Vicki and Martin encounter through their endeavor to stay alive and stay afloat.
Best shows to stream on Amazon Prime Video
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Based on the bestselling book trilogy by Jenny Han, this hit coming-of-age series follows teenager Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin during her idyllic annual summer holidays at Cousins Beach. The trip is a tradition with her mother's best friend and her two sons: the brooding Conrad and the charming Jeremiah. Over several summers, Belly finds herself navigating a complicated love triangle with both brothers, exploring the highs and lows of first love, friendship, and heartbreak as she grows up.
Fallout
After a nuclear explosion destroys North America, humanity must retreat to underground vaults or risk exposure to radiation. This post-apocalyptic series based on the popular video game series, follows sheltered, happy-go-lucky Lucy Mclean on her journey out of her vault and into the dangerous wasteland in search for her kidnapped father. On the way, Lucy meets the radiation-infected Ghoul, who helps keep her alive and uncover the truth behind their society.
The Night Manager
While the first season of The Night Manager was released in 2016, the second season has come out a decade later and is just as exciting. This spy thriller sees ex-British soldier and current night manager of a hotel, Jonathan, thrown back into action when an intelligence service hires him to go undercover and infiltrate an infamous arms dealer. The award-winning tale of espionage features an all-star cast with the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie and Olivia Colman keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Best shows to stream on BINGE
Brilliant Minds
Brilliant Minds follows neurologist Oliver Wolf at Bronx General Hospital as he tackles rare and baffling cases inspired by Oliver Sacks’ writings. With a troubled past and a team of eager residents, Wolf navigates complex medical mysteries while confronting personal demons and reconnecting with his estranged father.
All Her Fault
When her son Milo vanishes after his first playdate, Marissa, played by Sarah Snook, discovers that the woman she had been speaking to doesn't exist. Marissa's desperate hunt for her son unravels the web of lies spun by those around her and forces her to question everyone. The gripping story explores what happens when a parent's biggest fear comes true and asks, "what would you do?"
The Paper
The spinoff of the hit US sitcom The Office, this series sees the documentary crew that filmed the workers we all know and love as they move onto film a small, struggling newspaper. Fans of The Office will see familiar faces throughout this 'mockumentary' about journalists who battle to keep their paper afloat.
Best shows to stream on Apple TV+
Pluribus
When an virus derived from an alien lifeform turns humanity into a collective consciousness devoid of negative feelings and individuality, immune Carol finds herself the target of the hive mind. Carol fights to find a way to reverse the process and give free will back to the "happies" that are determined to bend all to the will of the hive. This psychological thriller will make you question whether forced peace is worth the price of autonomy and have you rooting for the underdog.
Slow Horses
Based on Mick Herron’s acclaimed novels, this darkly comedic spy thriller follows a team of disgraced MI5 agents who have been exiled for their career-ending mistakes. They work out of Slough House, a dingy administrative purgatory led by the brilliant but slovenly and misanthropic Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). These ‘slow horses’ are expected to quit from sheer boredom, but they frequently stumble into dangerous conspiracies, forcing them to outwit the mainstream intelligence service in their own dysfunctional way.
Ted Lasso
The show that started out as a series of commercials for NBC sports has since become one of Apple TV+ biggest shows ever. Ted Lasso is an American gridiron coach who is hired to move to England and manage a struggling soccer team, despite having no knowledge of the sport. This heartwarming show has a large focus on relationships and personal growth as we see Ted build strong connections with his new found-family.
Best shows to stream on Disney+
Alien Earth
Alien Earth is a sci-fi horror series set two years before the original Alien film. When the spaceship Maginot crashes on Earth, a hybrid woman named Wendy and a team of tactical soldiers uncover a terrifying threat. As cybernetic humans, AI synths, and consciousness-transferred hybrids clash, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Based on the bestselling fantasy series by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the story of son of Poseidon, Percy, who learns he is a demigod and is exposed to the secret world of Ancient Grecian gods. Percy and his friends must survive perilous quests, the wrath of vengeful gods and terrifying monsters in order to save not only each other, but the rest of the Olympus.
The Rookie
When a divorce and a near-death encounter encourage 40-something John to pack up his life, move states and become a police officer, John finds himself as the oldest rookie cop on the force. All while settling into his new life, John battles to use his life experience and prove he is more than a mid-life crisis. John, alongside his found-family of fellow rookies, handle the intensity of police life and tackle tough challenges both internal and external.
Best shows to stream on Paramount+
Dexter: Resurrection
A new chapter in the Dexter saga, this series is a direct sequel to the events of Dexter: New Blood. The show follows Dexter's son, Harrison Morgan (Jack Alcott), as he flees to New York City after the shocking death of his father. Now on his own, Harrison must grapple with the bloody legacy he inherited and the violent 'Dark Passenger' that dwells within him. The series will explore whether Harrison can control his innate darkness or if he is doomed to follow in his father's murderous footsteps.
Tulsa King
When ex-mafia boss Dwight is released from prison after 25 years in the joint, he is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma to build a new criminal underbelly. The out-of-practice gangster, played by Sylvester Stallone, builds a new crew of locals with hopes of establishing an unlikely empire in the hick town. Dwight must relearn everything he thought he knew in a place he knows nothing about to prove to himself and his old crew that he's still got it.
Happy Face
In this true-crime series, Melissa's father, an imprisoned serial killer, contacts her confessing to an additional murder, forcing Melissa to confront her feelings about her father and come to terms with her trauma. Melissa teams up with a true crime podcast producer to investigate her father's claims, find closure, all while protecting her identity from the people around her. The show makes you question how you would act if you were in Melissa's shoes as you watch her battle her feelings with facts.
Best shows to stream on HBO Max
The Pitt
Set in a chaotic Pittsburgh emergency room, The Pitt follows Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch and his team through a single 15-hour shift. Each episode captures one hour of high-stakes trauma care, staff shortages, and emotional strain. As new interns and med students join the fray, they face the brutal realities of medicine under pressure, guided by Robby and a resilient crew of ER veterans.
Heated Rivalry
The hit Canadian-made show based on the series of books by Rachel Reid follows the lives of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two professional hockey players who enter into a decade-spanning secret relationship with each other. From meaningless hook-ups to true love, Shane and Ilya confront their sexualities and feelings for each other while battling the pressure that comes with the intense sport and competition. Shane and Ilya must make a choice between their love for hockey or their love for each other.
IT: Welcome To Derry
Set 27 years before the first IT film, this horrifying series gives viewers a look at how Derry before we meet the Loser's Club and see how Pennywise the Dancing Clown came to be. With exceptional gore and deep lore, IT: Welcome To Derry makes for a thrilling watch that lovers of horror will adore.
