Top movies starring Aussies to watch this Australia Day weekend

It’s Australia Day weekend and what better way to celebrate the land Down Under than bingeing on blockbusters starring Aussies.

Chris Hemsworth, Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman … Aussies have officially taken over Hollywood.

And as we clench our XXXX tinny and chuck sausages on the barbie doing nothing remotely extraordinary this weekend, we couldn’t be more proud of our over-achieving homegrown talent.

To celebrate the best stars from Down Under this Australia Day weekend, Foxtel are launching a pop-up channel to profile their best films from Friday morning to Monday night.

To get you started, here are our top picks:

THOR: RAGNAROK (2017)

Of course Thor is an Aussie. Thanks for giving us all a rep for being legends, Hemsy.

Filmed right here in Australia on the beautiful Gold Coast, Thor: Ragnarok follows Thor as he faces the Hulk in a gladiator match to save his people from the ruthless villain, Hela. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett and Tom Hiddleston.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (2017)

One of the best movies — and soundtracks — of 2017. Nice one Hugh.

Inspired by the legend showman P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman not only produced an iconic number one soundtrack, but was also one of the most inspiring films of 2017. Starring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams and Zac Efron.

BRIDESMAIDS (2011)

Aussie Rose Byrne plays our favourite villain Helen in rom-com Bridesmaids.

One of the funniest chick flicks of all time follows the story Annie, a trainwreck maid of honour whose life unravels as she leads a pack of colourful bridesmaids to her best friend’s wedding. Starring Aussies Rose Byrne and Rebel Wilson.

BLACK HAWK DOWN (2001)

Eric Bana brought the horrific real life events of Black Hawk Down to the big screen.

Based on the real events of the disastrous US raid to capture a Somali war lord in 1993, the mission goes horribly wrong and elite forces must fight their way out. Starring Eric Bana, Josh Hartnett and Ewan McGregor.

I, TONYA (2018)

Margot Robbie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in this hilarious biopic.

Centred around the biggest sporting scandal in history, Margot Robbie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding.

BRAVEHEART (1995)

How could we forget Mel Gibson in Braveheart. One of the greatest films of all time.

A Best Picture winner, Braveheart tells the story of William Wallace, a bold Scotsman who rallied his countrymen against the tyranny of England’s King Edward in the 13th century. Starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau and James Robinson.

THE INSIDER (1999)

Russell Crowe and Al Pacino.

This emotionally charged film recounts the chain of events that pitted an ordinary man against the tobacco industry, publicly exposing the truth about cigarettes in a 60 Minutes interview. Starring Russell Crowe, Al Pacino and Christopher Plummer.

AVATAR (2009)

Sam Worthington's character Jake Sully as his avatar in James Cameron’s epic.

One of the highest grossing films of all time, making nearly $3 billion worldwide, veteran director James Cameron’s sci-fi fantasy follows Jake Sully, a human mind in an Avatar body who is sent to an exotic planet and finds himself torn between two worlds. Starring Sam Worthington.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008)

She’s got an Oscar, and here she is cosying up to Brad Pitt. Cate Blanchett living all our dreams.

Adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s quirky tale, Benjamin Button starts life as an old man and ages in reverse, as he attempts to meet the love of his life before he regresses to childhood. Starring Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt and Tilda Swinton.

PITCH PERFECT 3 (2017)

One of our funniest exports, Rebel Wilson.

Ruby Rose made her debut in the Pitch Perfect franchises for the third film.

After the highs of winning the World Champs, the Bellas find themselves split apart and jobless. But when they get their chance for one last tour, the gang gets back together again. Starring Rebel Wilson, Anna Kendrick and Ruby Rose.

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (1999)

Heath Ledger in this scene. Melt.

The movie that made Heath Ledger hot property in Hollywood, 10 Things I Hate About You follows a boy-hating Kat who unexpectedly falls in love with the high school bad boy. Starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

IT COMES AT NIGHT (2017)

Joel Edgerton has been flying the Aussie flag in Hollywood for years.

A family lives securely in a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorises the world, when the arrival of a desperate young family seeking refuge brings paranoia. Starring Joel Edgerton, Christopher Abbott and Riley Keough.

12 STRONG (2018)

We just had to get Chris Hemsworth on this list again.

Following the events of 9/11, the first US Special Forces team is sent to Afghanistan where they must convince the Northern Alliance to join forces with them to fight the Taliban. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Pena.

AUSTRALIA (2008)

Name a more iconic Aussie duo.

To save her property from takeover, an English aristocrat hires a rugged drover to herd her cattle to Darwin, in a film that’s a love letter to the land Down Under. Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Ben Mendelsohn.

SWINGING SAFARI (2018)

DOES IT GET ANY MORE AUSTRALIAN?????

Set in the golden era, 1970s Australia, a time of wine in a box, the perm, questionable fashion sense, horrible decisions and good times. What could go wrong? Starring Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, Julian McMahon, Radha Mitchell, Asher Keddie and Jeremy Sims.

PARANOIA (2013)

Liam Hemsworth. The best thing Australia has produced since Vegemite.

When he’s put in place to spy on his boss’s old mentor, Adam enjoys the perks but soon realises he’s only a pawn in the corporate game and about to pay a dangerous price. Starring Liam Hemsworth, Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman.

X-MEN (2000)

Who better to play the badass that is Wolverine.

Born into a world of prejudice are children who possess extraordinary powers under the tutelage of Professor X, as the outcasts learn to harness their powers to protect mankind from the evil Magneto. Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.

MOULIN ROUGE! (2001)

Iconic.

A young Englishman in Paris falls in love with a singer at the Moulin Rouge in one of the most famous films of all time. Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Kylie Minogue and David Wenham.

Aussies in Film Pop-up is on Channel 404 on Foxtel from Friday 6am, or you can stream the films on FoxFlicks, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now.