finder.com.au
Home
Internet TV

What to expect when Sundance Now launches in Australia

Sundance Now, a streaming platform specialising in independent cinema is coming to Australia

Alexandra Plesa
Alexandra Plesa

Last updated:

Sundance Now

Tired of watching blockbuster movies featuring superheroes and alien invasions? Sundance Now provides a great alternative to mainstream entertainment. The streaming service prides itself on offering subscribers access to independent flicks and TV series that are hard to find anywhere else, with a focus on festival hits and some original programming.

In other words, it’s the perfect platform for those who like to discover hidden gems and tune in for shows or movies not everyone is watching.

What is Sundance Now?

Owned by AMC Networks, Sundance Now takes its name from the famed Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States. The service launched in the US back in 2014, aiming to bring the festival’s spirit to the home viewer. Besides independent movies, it began offering TV shows and documentaries as well, catering to a wider audience. On the same note, the service entered the original programming game, striving to develop series and films that would appeal to lovers of independent cinema.

Currently, Sundance Now is available in the US, Canada and Ireland.

When will Sundance Now launch in Australia?

Sundance Now was originally slated for launch in Australia by the end of 2018, but that time has come and gone without so much as an update from AMC. Currently, it's unclear when or even if Sundance Now will open up its library to Aussie movie buffs.

How much will Sundance Now cost?

In the United States, Sundance Now costs US$6.99/month or US$59.99 for a yearly membership. In Canada and Ireland, the price is adjusted to reflect local currency. Hence, we expect the monthly fee to remain the same for Australia as well.

If the price stays the same, that would make Sundance Now a tad more affordable than Netflix, Stan or Foxtel Now – which would make sense, since the content is more niche. The platform offers a seven-day free trial, so Aussie users will likely be able to test-drive it and browse the library for free to decide if it’s worth the investment.

What content will be available to watch on Sundance Now?

Sundance Now’s library is pretty diverse, ranging from acclaimed independent films to provocative documentaries and binge-worthy series. However, it’s possible than not all titles from the US library will be available in Australia due to licensing arrangements. We’ll just have to wait and see.

To give you a taste of what’s in store, though, Sundance Now’s exclusive series include titles like Killing for Love, One Deadly Weekend in America, Motherland and The Swell. The TV show offering is limited, due to the platform’s focus on films and documentaries, but there are several original productions that are worth the binge.

Riviera, for instance, is an addictive show starring Julia Stiles as a young widow who sets out to investigate the circumstances surrounding her husband’s mysterious death. This Close follows two deaf friends who rely on each other to navigate life, while The Bureau is an explosive French-language series centring on a kidnapped special agent. As you can see, your choices may be limited, but they cater to a wide range of tastes.

As far as documentaries are concerned, you won’t run out of content to watch anytime soon. You can browse by categories, including Art & Culture, Biography, Travel & Adventure, or Sports. Popular titles include Taxi to the Dark Side, an investigation into the reckless abuse of power by the Bush Administration; Cousin Bobby, focusing on a minister who fights tirelessly to improve the lives of people of colour; and Gaza Surf Club, about amateur surfers in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Finally, there are hundreds of films available on the platform, ranging from festival darlings to classics. The titles that caught our eye include Amour, Heathers, Frances Ha, Tideland, Aferim!, Dogtooth, Boyhood and Hello I Must Be Going. However, plenty more are available on Sundance Now, enough to last you for a few movie marathons at least. A great thing about the service is that it offers Collections, making it easy for users to discover new series, movies or documentaries. With names like Provocative Thinkers or Justice for All, these collections are a good place to start if you’re new to the world of independent cinema. You can also browse Collections to see what the likes of Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover recommend you stream on Sundance Now.

How does Sundance Now compare?

If you're looking for something to watch until Sundance Now’s Australia launch, you’ll be happy to know that each streaming service on the market offers a small selection of indie titles. We've rounded up all the independent films on Netflix into one convenient list, if you want to check those out. Alternatively, Foxtel Now offers cult classics like The Blair Witch Project, The Boat That Rocked, Little Miss Sunshine and The Virgin Suicides, among others.

Over on Stan, you can stream The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Blue Velvet or Clerks. Finally, Amazon Prime Video offers titles like Dazed and Confused and Night of the Living Dead.

As you can see, there’s enough to get you started. But if you’re planning to expand your knowledge of independent movies, you’ll have to check out what Sundance Now has in store. Hopefully, the wait won’t be excruciating.

Latest streaming headlines

Was this content helpful to you? No  Yes

Related Posts

How to get your favourite Disney movie or TV show onto Disney+

Here's how you can get your beloved Disney movie or fave TV series onto the Disney+ streaming platform.

How to set up Kids Mode on Disney+

A step-by-step guide on how to set up Kids Mode on Disney+ and how to edit an existing profile to use Kids Mode.

SBS announces its December schedule for the NBA 2019/20 season

SBS unveils its December slate of NBA games where LeBron James will feature five times.

How to set up and watch Disney+ on Samsung TVs

Select Samsung model TVs allow you to download the Disney+ app and begin watching.

When will Disney+ upload The Mandalorian episode 3?

Star Wars bounty hunter The Mandalorian has sent people into a craze, but when is episode three?

Stream the best and save

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Ask a question
Go to site