One of the best Australian films in years is opening in select US cities this weekend, and if you're an Aussie in America (or just love a good Australian story), this is one to get out and support. Kangaroo Island, Timothy David's debut feature, opens Friday April 24 in Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, New York, and Honolulu. I've had the privilege of getting a sneak peak but here's your chance!
What's the Film About?
Lou Wells, played by Rebecca Breeds, is a struggling Hollywood actress who's hit rock bottom. Broke and aimless, she reluctantly accepts a plane ticket from her estranged father to return home to Kangaroo Island. What unfolds is a story about family, unresolved tension between sisters, the complicated weight of going home, and a secret that changes everything.
It's funny, it's heartbreaking, and it's set against some of the most stunning landscape Australia has to offer. The 2019–2020 bushfires that devastated the island feature in the background of the story, grounding the film in something real.
The film picked up four nominations at the 2026 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, including Best Picture, Best Lead Actress for Rebecca Breeds, Best Supporting Actress for Adelaide Clemens, and Best Score. It also won Best Australian Director at the London Director Awards and Best Debut Feature at the Montreal Independent Film Festival. In Australia, it was one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2025 and hit number two on Netflix when it dropped on the platform in January.
This is also a New York–made Australian story in more ways than one. Director Timothy David and writer Sally Gifford have been based in New York for 20 years, and the film was produced by their NYC-based production company Piro.
Why You Should Get Out and See It
Australian films don't get wide US theatrical releases very often. When they do, opening weekend numbers matter — they're the main signal that distributors and theater chains use to decide whether to expand the run, hold it over for additional weeks, or quietly pull it.
If you want more Australian films in US cinemas, the most useful thing you can do is buy a ticket on opening weekend. Take a friend. Make it a date night. Get a group together. Every seat counts.
Where to See It This Weekend
The film opens Friday, April 24 in five cities. Here's where to go and how to grab tickets.
Los Angeles — Monica Film Center
Get your LA tickets here: https://revivalhub.com/film/kangaroo-island-2025
LA Aussies, this is your one. The Monica Film Center on Second Street in Santa Monica is your home for opening weekend. Grab a coffee at one of the dozens of cafes nearby, make an evening of it.
Dallas — Angelika Film Center
Get your Dallas tickets here: https://angelikafilmcenter.com/dallas/movies/details/kangaroo-island
Dallas Aussies, the Angelika in Mockingbird Station has you covered. This is one of the best art-house cinemas in Texas and a perfect home for a film like this.
San Francisco — Apple Cinemas Van Ness
Get your SF tickets here: https://www.applecinemas.com/Kangaroo-island/f604d90/69dfd609db37612c30942422
Bay Area crew, head to Apple Cinemas on Van Ness. Grab a few mates, grab a drink afterwards, and make a night of it.
New York — Angelika Film Center
Get your NYC tickets here: https://angelikafilmcenter.com/nyc/movies/details/kangaroo-island
New York Aussies, the Angelika on Houston is the original home of this film's US release. The director and writer live in New York, so this is essentially a hometown opening for them. Show up.
Honolulu — Mililani 14 / Kapolei 16
Honolulu tickets here:
Get your Honolulu Mililani 14 tickets: https://consolidatedtheatres.com/mililani/movies/details/kangaroo-island
Get your Honolulu Kapolei 16 tickets: https://consolidatedtheatres.com/kapolei/movies/details/kangaroo-island
Hawaii Aussies, you've got two options — Mililani 14 or Kapolei 16. Either way, get out and see it.
Can't Make It This Weekend?
If you can't get to opening weekend, check showtimes for the following week — strong opening numbers usually mean the film will hold over. And if you're not in one of the five opening cities, check back regularly because expanded releases happen if the opening performs well.
Now go support an Aussie film. Lest we forget where we come from.
