More gravy please! Other Aussie songs that deserve the movie treatment

Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy has hit Binge, and it’s got us dreaming of the next Aussie anthems ready to leap from our speakers to the big screen!

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Paul Kelly’s classic Christmas song: How to Make Gravy has finally hit streaming service, Binge, and, as promised, it’s got everything: heartbreak, redemption, family feuds and an ending that will make you reach for the tissues.

Already hailed as the Christmas movie to dethrone Love Actually, it’s got the wit, warmth, and raw honesty to make even the Grinchiest among us tear up. And while Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister dance is iconic, Aussie artist Brendan Maclean’s heartwrenching performance of their new single, Fine is sure to lodge itself firmly in your heart.

So, if Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy could inspire a film brimming with heartache and the Aussie knack for finding light in the bleakest corners, then surely a treasure trove of other Australian classics is begging for its Hollywood moment, right?!

I’ve thought of some more ideas for films that could bloom from the melodies and lyrics of our iconic songs. Got any more to add to this list?

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Paul Kelly's classic song has been turned into a film. Image: Binge

Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye feat. Kimbra

The Plot: A deeply emotional character study about two ex-lovers, told in overlapping timelines as they recount their love story to their mutual therapist. Each remembers events differently, exposing the way heartbreak rewrites memory.

The Vibe: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but with Melbourne laneway cafes and moody indie vibes.

Throw Your Arms Around Me by Hunters & Collectors

The Plot: A tender, raw romance about two star-crossed lovers who keep finding their way back to each other over decades. Through messy breakups, life’s twists, and the weight of unspoken words, the song’s haunting beauty becomes a metaphor for love that never fades, even when it’s imperfect.

The Vibe: Blue Valentine but with a gumtree-lined backdrop and a more hopeful ending.

Down Under by Men at Work

The Plot: What starts as a feel-good comedy about a band of unlikely backpackers traversing Australia’s stunning landscapes turns into a heartwarming story about belonging, identity, and finding your “tribe” on foreign soil. Each verse gives life to a new character: the man from Brussels, the hippie in a VW van, the pub full of unforgettable locals.

The Vibe: The Castle on a global adventure, with some Priscilla, Queen of the Desert sparkle thrown in.

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Dance Monkey by Tones and I

The Plot: A quirky underdog comedy about a street performer who gets their big break but struggles to stay true to their craft amid the glare of viral fame. Expect plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, awkward dance moves, and a surprisingly heartfelt ending.

The Vibe: Pitch Perfect meets Sing Street, with Byron Bay buskers stealing the show.

Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil

The Plot: A post-apocalyptic tale set in the harsh, red dirt heart of Australia. Climate change has turned the land into a battleground. The story follows a young Indigenous activist and a jaded ex-farmer who join forces to fight for justice, land rights, and survival.

The Vibe: Think Mad Max: Fury Road but with soul, purpose, and Peter Garrett doing an intense cameo.

Chandelier by Sia

The Plot: A raw and gripping drama about a talented but troubled performer trying to escape the destructive pull of fame and addiction. This would be a haunting dive into the fragility of chasing your dreams - and what happens when they start to break you.

The Vibe: Black Swan meets A Star is Born, with a glitter-and-grit aesthetic only Sia could inspire.

Youth by Troye Sivan

The Plot: A coming-of-age film set in Perth, following a tight-knit group of friends as they navigate first loves, big dreams, and the looming spectre of adulthood. The story builds to a tear-jerking finale as they gather one last time before life pulls them in different directions.

The Vibe: Love, Simon meets Stand By Me, with Troye making a dreamy cameo as their musical muse.

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Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel

The Plot: Picture it: a gritty, sweeping epic following a disillusioned Vietnam veteran as he struggles to fit back into a society that’s moved on without him. He tries to outrun his demons through fleeting romances, dead-end jobs, and drunken nights. But in the end, it’s about coming home - not just to a place, but to himself.

The Vibe: The Deer Hunter meets Wake in Fright, with a uniquely Aussie lens on mateship and loss.

Oh, and how could we not include Horses? Daryl Braithwaite’s anthem is practically stitched into the Australian soul, belted out at weddings, footy games, and any backyard gathering where the esky’s been raided. It’s got movie potential galloping through every note! Let’s ride this one into cinematic gold.

The Horses by Daryl Braithwaite

The Plot: A sweeping family drama set in a picturesque rural Australian town. The story follows a spirited young woman struggling to save her family’s drought-stricken horse farm while nursing her own secret dream of becoming an equestrian champion. When she discovers a scruffy, unwanted colt with untapped potential, she risks it all to train him for the race of a lifetime.

The Twist: It’s not just about winning the race but uniting her fractured family and proving that sometimes, it’s the underdog - or under-horse - that saves the day.

The Vibe: The Man from Snowy River meets Seabiscuit, with enough heart to leave you sobbing into your Akubra.

All of these classic gems prove that the Aussie music scene is packed with raw stories ready to leap from the speakers to the big screen.

Now, who’s going to call Baz Luhrmann and get this ball rolling?

Originally published as More gravy please! Other Aussie songs that deserve the movie treatment