We are now inundated with video streaming services, as the world continues its technological shift with regards 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 and Stan, SBS On Demand movies have some infectious content of its 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’s 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’s out picks for the best SBS On Demand movies.
SBS On Demand Movies FAQ
How do I get SBS On-Demand on my TV?
To set up your smart TV, you have to create an account with SBS On-Demand. Sign in with your email address. You will receive a link to activate your account. Once finished, your smart TV will automatically log you in.
Can I watch SBS On-Demand overseas?
No. Rights agreements state that SBS On-Demand is only available in Australia. Even if you have an account, you cannot access the service from abroad.
Can you download SBS On-Demand to watch later?
No. SBS On-Demand is purely a streaming service. This means you cannot download videos to your mobile phone or desktop computer to watch later.
1/16Nightcrawler
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this psychological thriller as a con-man turned crime journalist, who discovers a love for getting the perfect shot and being first on the scene. But his obsession leads him down a dark path when he ends up participating in crimes, as opposed to just following them. Widely regarded as one of the best films of 2014, Nightcrawler is an absolute must-watch.
IMDB: 7.8/10
2/16The Invisibles
This biographical docu-drama recounts the true story of four Jewish teenagers who were able to escape and survive the Holocaust, by hiding in plain sight in Germany. It flickers between re-enactments through the use of actors, and first account interviews with those involved in the true story themselves.
IMDB: 7.2/10
3/16The Parade
This comedy-drama straight from Serbia focuses on the pressing issues surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Serbia, with the director claiming that in 1970 in Serbia, anyone who was homosexual was beaten up by "healthy" thinking young men. The film also features footage from the 2010 Belgrade gay pride parade, in which police and anti-gay protestors started attacking each other.
IMDB: 7.3/10
4/16The Square
This Swedish production won the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and stars Elisabeth Moss and Claes Bang. A satirical movie, is focuses on a museum curator who wants to create hype through the media, however, personal issues and affairs cause some hiccups along the way.
IMDB: 7.2/10
5/16Out Of The Furnace
Christian Bale and Casey Affleck star in this crime drama that sees Bale's character Russell going in search for his brother Rodney, after the latter returns from war in Iraq and becomes indebted to a local crime boss.
IMDB: 6.8/10
6/16Behind The Candleabra
Steven Soderbergh directs this critically acclaimed film that stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, depicting the last 10 years of the life of Liberace. An absolute must-see.
IMDB: 7.0/10
7/16Marrowbone
This Spanish psychological horror (don't worry, it's in the English language) focuses on the four Marrowbone siblings who flee from their ancestral home following their mother's death. But the house they move into in America doesn't necessarily prove the grass is greener on the other side. Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit) and Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) star.
IMDB: 6.7/10
8/16Like Crazy
This 2016 Italian film follows the lives of two women who are both admitted to a mental institution and form an unlikely friendship. They manage to escape together, and go on a journey of a lifetime.
IMDB: 7.2/10
9/16The Salesman
This Iranian-French film took home the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film following its release in 2016. A story within a story, it follows a married couple who perform Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman on stage. The wife is assaulted in their apartment, and so the husband goes in search of the perpetrator. But it ends up causing just as much strife between the pair.
IMDB: 7.8/10
10/16Tell No One
This 2006 French film based on the novel of the same name set doctor Alex Beck become embroiled in a reopened case that attempts to find the killer who murdered his wife. However, new evidence points to him being the culprit, and he even starts to receive emails from his wife. A must-see movie.
IMDB: 7.5/10
11/16Dogman
This 2018 Italian crime drama film, inspired by true events, follows a humble dog groomer (played by Marcello Fonte) in a small suburb of Rome, who finds himself having to deal with the town's local bully and former boxer. Fonte won the award for Best Actor at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival for his performance.
IMDB: 7.2/10
12/16Run Lola Run
This 1998 German movie stars Franka Potente (Blow, The Bourne Identity) as Lola, a woman who must get together 100,000 Deutschmarks in twenty minutes to save her boyfriend's life, but there are three potential outcomes.
IMDB: 7.6/10
13/16Molly's Game
Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut sees Jessica Chastain assume the role of Molly Bloom, a real-life target of the FBI, following her involvement with a high-stakes poker game.
IMDB: 7.4/10
14/16Margin Call
This 2011 drama features an all-star cast and focuses on how a Wall Street investment bank deals with the 2007-08 financial crisis, over a 24-hour period.
IMDB: 7.1/10
15/16The Way Of The Dragon
SBS has added a few Bruce Lee movie's to its library recently, but it's The Way Of The Dragon that we've picked out. The only movie that Bruce Lee directed himself, this action-comedy also features legendary hard man Chuck Norris in his movie debut.
IMDB: 7.3/10
16/16All Quiet On The Western Front
Based on the 1928 novel of the same name, this movie adaptation follows a young soldier as he's sent off to fight in WWI. It goes on to examine the mental stress he faces and the dissociation with regular life when he returns home.
IMDB: 7.1/10
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