The Northern Territory's film industry is making waves on the global stage, with recent successes at the AACTA Awards and beyond. This thriving industry is a far cry from its humble beginnings, which can be traced back to a beloved classic, Crocodile Dundee.
A Legacy of Crocodile Dundee
Forty years ago, a film about a charismatic croc hunter from the Northern Territory changed the game for Australian cinema. Crocodile Dundee, released in 1986, shattered box office records and put the remote NT on the map as a film destination. It's a legacy that continues to inspire and shape the territory's film industry today.
But here's where it gets controversial: some argue that the success of Crocodile Dundee was a double-edged sword. While it brought attention to the NT, it also typecast the region and its people, reducing complex cultures and landscapes to simplistic stereotypes.
A New Wave of Territory Films
Fast forward to the present, and a new wave of NT films is making its mark globally. From Berlin to India, Spain, and Türkiye, these films are capturing the attention of international audiences. Recent releases like Kangaroo and Top End Bub are not only popular but also economically beneficial for the NT.
Alice Springs-shot film Kangaroo, for instance, was the highest-grossing Australian film at the national box office in 2025. It also found success overseas, becoming the highest-grossing Australian film in Germany in 25 years and opening at number 12 in the UK last week.
"We're not just expanding our stories here; we're telling our stories to a global audience, and that's what we want," said Screen Territory director Jennie Hughes. "It's a very exciting time for us."
This excitement is shared by Alice Springs director Warwick Thornton, who will debut his new film Wolfram at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival this week.
The NT's industry also shone at the AACTA Awards, winning accolades for Kangaroo, Top End Bub, and the 2025 Arnhem Land documentary, Journey Home.
Landscapes and Humor: NT Film Touchpoints
Journey Home, a documentary charting the traditional funeral of late Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil, is a testament to the unique cultural touchpoints that make NT films so special. Associate producer Cathy Gallagher notes that while the industry has evolved since Gulpilil's era, many of its hallmarks remain.
"I see the same landscapes, and I see the same hilarious, outrageous culture," she said. "The really unique cultural touchpoints that can only happen in the territory."
Top End Bub co-producer and Tiwi woman Libby Collins agrees, describing an exciting time for Blak filmmakers and creatives in the NT. She highlights the industry's "incredible leap" since the days of Crocodile Dundee, allowing them to tell their own stories in their own way.
"[Crocodile Dundee] was a great foundation and a platform—it's iconic," she said. "But for us to now be able to tell our own stories and be on either side of the camera is pretty epic."
The NT government is also recognizing the potential of film tourism, with Kangaroo, set in the Red Centre, serving as a prime example. Screen Territory's investments of $2.02 million into Kangaroo, Top End Bub, and Journey Home have brought more than $9.5 million back into the NT economy for Central Australia, Darwin, and the Tiwi Islands.
"The Northern Territory is leading [the nation] in screen tourism," said Ms. Hughes.
As the NT's film industry continues to thrive and evolve, it's clear that the legacy of Crocodile Dundee has paved the way for a vibrant and diverse cinematic landscape. But what do you think? Is the industry successfully moving beyond stereotypes, or are there still challenges to be addressed? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
