The best movies on Stan for December 2023

Australian streaming service Stan has a solid library of movies for you to enjoy. However, with titles coming and going across the platforms and new releases happening all the time, it's not always easy to keep up.

Anybody wanting to catch some of the great films put to celluloid can get a leg-up in no time at all, thanks to Stan's streaming service. Be sure to check back with this article regularly as we'll routinely update it as the landscape changes.

• How do we come up with our list?

  For our best show and movie recommendations we look at a combination of titles' IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores (where available), what's popular on the service's app and the expert and critical opinion of our writers, who have over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry.

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Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure is silly and fun, which makes it perfect for viewers with an offbeat sense of humour. The 2 friends are precious together, mostly thanks to the chemistry between the leads.

You wouldn’t expect a movie that features hardly any dialogue to scare the pants off you, but A Quiet Place does in the best way.

I am Woman is well-researched and features some top-notch performances. Even better, it plays like a love letter to one of the most iconic figures of second wave feminism. Make sure you clear your schedule and tune in.

Tense and well-crafted, Relic is a treat for drama fans that enjoy a touch of horror. With strong performances and beautiful visuals, it will keep you glued to the screen.

Groundhog Day has become the gold standard by which time loop movies are judged, and its title has even become the default phrase for being stuck doing something over and over again. It's something you can easily enjoy with repeat viewings.

Brendan Gleeson is a marvel and the dialogue in The Guard is clever and sharp. Plus, the action is not too shabby either. Trust us, this is not your run-of-the-mill drug cartel action flick. It will definitely surprise you.

Revolutionary Road is moving and powerful. We’re also happy to report that the chemistry between Leo and Kate perfectly stands the test of time. If you’re in the mood for a heartbreaking flick that will make you feel all the feels, you can’t go wrong with this one.

The Machinist made waves due to Christian Bale’s incredible psychical transformation – he lost more than 28 kilograms for the role. More than that, he delivers a harrowing performance. As for the story itself, it’s a ride worth taking.

Holding The Man delivers a beautiful love story and portrays a turbulent time for queer Australia. More than that, it boasts some amazing performances and doesn’t shy away from keeping things honest, which makes it even more powerful.

True History of the Kelly Gang is gritty and immersive, offering a subjective take on the life of the iconic Ned Kelly. How is a legend born? What events go on to have a lasting impact and shape beliefs? Tune in to find out.

Brimming with action-packed sequences and special effects, this spy thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat thanks to its many twists and turns. To this day, Mission: Impossible remains an ambitious and entertaining flick, with Cruise offering a memorable performance.

Love & Friendship is a wonderful adaptation of Austen’s work. It’s smart, funny and offers a nuanced performance from Beckinsale. If you’re looking for delicious dialogue that will make you chuckle, you’re in the right place.

If you’re into stunning action flicks with substance, you’ve probably already seen this one. Still, a single viewing isn’t enough to grasp the movie’s ambitious scope, so repeat streams are in order. Mad Max: Fury Road is gorgeous, exhilarating and brilliant. You’ve been warned.

A devastatingly funny satire, The Death of Stalin benefits from a tight script and an A+ cast. Also, the movie was banned in Russia, which should make you that much more eager to give it a stream.

While W. chronicles Bush's career, it's more interested in his motivations, failings and inner demons. That makes for a fascinating character study, especially given that Josh Brolin offers a tremendous performance in the lead role.

Expect powerful performances in Good Will Hunting, an emotionally rich drama.

An intelligent film, Fight Club seems pretty straightforward until the twist at the end, which changes your entire view on what you just watched. You should definitely talk about Fight Club – if only to tell people how good it is.

Hacksaw Ridge is a gripping war movie that touches upon important themes, like the importance of staying true to your convictions. You'll be mesmerised.

Needle in a Timestack stumbles at times, but the A-list cast, exciting concept and thoughtful musings on love are enough to ensure an enjoyable watch. If you like romantic dramas, we suggest you give it a go.

Nitram is an intriguing movie, harrowing and often difficult to watch given the subject matter relating to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Caleb Landry Jones is a revelation in the lead role – a performance that won him the Best Actor award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. A compelling piece of cinema, Nitram will stay with you for long after the end credits roll.

Atmospheric and intense, Gold makes the most of its bleak setting and straightforward premise. Add a Zac Efron on top of his game into the mix and you've got yourself a hit.

Scary, thought-provoking and beautifully acted, Donnie Darko is the kind of movie that haunts you, but in a good way. Proceed with caution.

Christmas on the Farm is a festive and funny affair, perfect to watch around the holidays. As long as you like light-hearted flicks, you'll be in for a good time.

In the mood for a provocative thriller? Look no further than Promising Young Woman. Buckle up: this is the kind of movie that will give you plenty to think about.

An iconic movie with a memorable performance from Witherspoon, Election only gets better with age. If you've missed it back in the day, there's no time like the present to enjoy everything it has to offer.

Warm Bodies is a surprisingly heartfelt horror comedy, which somehow manages to merge romance and zombies in a way that feels oddly natural.

Regardless of whether you’re an Elton John fan or not, Rocketman is a great watch. It perfectly blends reality with fantasy and music, offering a touching portrayal of a great artist’s life.

With multiple versions of subtitles written by different comedians, it enables viewers to choose their own version of the story and allows for different experiences when re-watching the movie. It's quirky. It's strange. It's definitely worth watching.

Well-acted and featuring an intoxicating soundtrack, A Star is Born will make you experience a roller-coaster of emotions. There's a good chance that it will also make you cry, so keep a box of tissues handy.

Aquaman is goofy and fun, boasting excellent visuals and infectious energy. Jason Momoa is perfect in the lead role.

Not only does Mr & Mrs Smith have 2 of the biggest stars of the noughties facing off against each other, this action comedy has plenty of moments of levity throughout.

This isn't a movie that reinvents the wheel, but it's a fun time. If you love Home Alone, even better.

The Social Network is a mesmerising movie about the founders of Facebook. With an impeccable script and top-notch performances, this biographical drama is captivating from start to finish.

One of the most iconic mob movies of all time, Goodfellas successfully stands the test of time. Watching it today is just as impactful as it was back in the 90s. With such a powerful cast, we would expect nothing else.

As familiar as the plot may sound, Transfusion isn't afraid to go beyond the surface and explore deeper themes. If you don't mind your action flicks on the slower side, Sam Worthington gives a wonderful performance.

Directed by David Cronenberg, Crimes of the Future is well-acted and unsettling. If you don't have a strong stomach, you'll be prompted to cover your eyes more than once.

If you're in the mood for a magical fantasy adventure, with an all-star Australian cast to boot, then this is well worth watching.

No Time to Die has all the thrills you've come to expect from a James Bond film and as it's Daniel Craig's final instalment as Bond, you just know he'll go out with a bang.

It's a heartbreaking story, so if you're in the mood for a good cry, grab a box of tissues and pop this on.

The movie is bloody and violent without skimping on character development. Prepare to be mesmerised.

What changed on our list?

New additions

• Groundhog Day
• The Northman

We removed

• Carol
• Almost Famous

Image: Stan