We are now inundated with video streaming services, as the world continues its technological shift with regard to ways to put content in front of our faces. We’ve moved from video cassette tape to DVD, to Blu-ray and now to streaming. It’s convenient, offers up huge catalogues of content and best of all, allows us to spend all day in bed if we wish.
But while many places and publications will recommend the best TV shows and movies to watch on the likes of Netflix, Stan and relative newcomer, Binge, SBS On Demand movies have some infectious content of their own for your viewing pleasure. The publically-funded Australian TV network offers a number of TV shows and movies to watch completely free of charge, and the selection on offer is on constant rotation, so there’s always something new to find.
Content is specially curated too, so some decent thought has gone into what you’re presented with, so we suspect you’ll easily be able to find a new favourite (just make sure you sign up for a free account first).
There is over 7,000 hours worth of content to choose from, but we’ve picked out some of the best movies that caught our eye, to take a little bit of stress away from this global situation.
Here are our picks for the best SBS On Demand movies.
The Lives of Others
The Lives of Others was met with critical acclaim when it was released, making it easily one of the best movies on SBS On Demand right now. Notable film critic Roger Ebert described it as "a powerful but quiet film, constructed of hidden thoughts and secret desires."
The Lives of Others won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Academy Awards, and Best Film Not In The English Language at the 61st British Academy Film Awards.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Happy Go Lucky
Happy Go Lucky was well-received by critics, many of which praised Sally Hawkins' performance in particular, as well as the direction of Mike Leigh. It was even included as one of the ten best films of 2008 by critics around the world. Unfortunately, it didn't win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay at the 81st Academy Awards, but to just be nominated is no mean feat.
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Rec
At just over an hour in length, it's not a particularly long movie, making this one of the best movies on SBS On Demand for easy evening watching. Well, as easy watching as a horror film can be...
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Another Round
If anything, it's a perfect analysis of the prototypical male midlife crisis and one of the best movies on SBS On Demand right now.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
The Square
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Out Of The Furnace
While Out of the Furnace didn't quite hit it with the critics, its star-studded line-up makes it a must-watch, and one of the best SBS On Demand movies currently available. Affleck and Bale are in ripping form in this one.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Behind The Candleabra
SBS On Demand is currently the only place that is streaming Behind The Candleabra for free, making this an absolute must-see.
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Marrowbone
Those looking for genuine scares may want to look elsewhere, but for everyone else, you can't pass up Marrowbone, which comfortably claims a place on this list of best SBS On Demand movies.
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
The Salesman
Director Asghar Farhadi (who took home the award for Best Screenplay at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival) deliberately chose Miller's play because it shares similar themes to the movie he wanted to create.
The Salesman could be a film you've never heard of before, but given its incredibly positive critical reception, it's definitely one of the best SBS On Demand movies to stream right now.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Tell No One
British actor Michael Caine claims Tell No One was the best film he saw in 2007, which we reckon is enough alone to warrant it as being one the best SBS On-Demand movies. Not a lot of people know that.
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Blinded by the Light
The film itself focuses on a teenager named Javed, who, whilst growing up in working-class England in 1987, is subject to racial and economic turmoil. After becoming exposed to the works of Bruce Springsteen, he embarks on a journey to follow his dreams of becoming a journalist, writing stories about Springsteen to help him get a foot in the industry.
It was well-received by critics, with Anthony Ray Bench of Film Threat saying, it is "a feel-good movie that tackles a bunch of tough topics, from politics, race, family traditions, social frustrations and romance, without ever feeling preachy or overly cheesy."
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
Margin Call
Margin Call received plenty of praise, with The New Yorker film critic David Denby saying it was "easily the best Wall Street movie ever made." And, when you consider some Wall Street movies can be a little confusing, it makes Margin Call one of the best SBS On Demand movies for those who enjoy watching bankers suffer.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
The Way Of The Dragon
The Way of the Dragon follows Bruce Lee's character Tang Lung, who travels from Hong Kong to Rome to help a family protect their Chinese restaurant from an onslaught of Mafia gangsters.
It's always hard to choose the best Bruce Lee film, and others will likely have their own opinions, but for us, this is the best Bruce Lee movie on SBS On Demand.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
All Quiet On The Western Front
He is able to return home for a couple of weeks, wherein he finds out his mother is dying. It's also during this visit that he notices how the older generation has no idea what the younger generation is actually experiencing in the trenches.
Originally produced for television, All Quiet on the Western Front is now one of the best SBS On Demand movies for fans of the war genre.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10