The best shows to watch on SBS On Demand – quick links
SBS On Demand: best new shows
Miyazaki, Spirit Of Nature – 14 December
Documentary. An Australian premiere, this documentary focuses on legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s deep connection to nature, and the environmental themes expressed through his beloved animated films. Through iconic characters such as Totoro and Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki’s films reflect his deep concerns about the world, often echoing the upheavals of the 20th century.
Enriched with exceptional film excerpts and insights from voices like his son and director Goro Miyazaki, producer Toshio Suzuki, and philosopher Timothy Morton – Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature reveals how Miyazaki’s profound ecological work questions our relationship with the natural world and living creatures.
Road To Change – 14 December
Documentary. This sobering new doco shows how the disproportionately high rate of road trauma in regional Australia has impacted the lives of six young Australians, their families, and their communities. It gives voice to their thoughts on road safety and allows their ideas to reduce the toll among their peers to be heard – including messaging that will connect with young people and help to change risk-taking behaviour – as well as insightful discussions on a critical road safety risk: mobile phone distraction.
Road To Change aims to amplify the voices of young regional Australians on a major issue they are seldom consulted on, and to provide a platform to outline the unique challenges they face in their daily lives.
Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas Special – 15 December
Special. Greg Davis, Noel Fielding, Daisy May Cooper and Jamali Maddix bring their own unique brand of festive cheer to your living room in an hour-long special of the music quiz that’s dripping in eggnog.
The usual suspects are joined by Leigh-Ann Pinnock, comedy icon Harry Hill and Kaiser Chiefs frontman and presenter Ricky Wilson. The festive questions being chewed over this year include what antics an inebriated Noddy Holder got up to one fateful Christmas Eve, and what strange gift John Lennon gave spoon-bending loon Uri Gellar.
Global Soul Kitchen – 17 December
Series. In this new cooking show, best-selling author and chef Deborah VanTrece introduces viewers to “global soul food” – a style of cooking that combines traditional Southern American soul food with different international influences to create something both familiar and new.
Abba And Elvis In The Outback – 18 December
Documentary. The country town of Parkes in central west NSW found unique fame as the home of ‘The Dish’ and now, as the home of the world’s biggest Elvis Tribute festival.
Drive 53 kilometres west along the Bogan Way, and you will find the tiny town of Trundle. After withstanding a mouse plague, a locust plague, drought, Covid, flooding, and a dwindling population – can a small group of locals follow in the footsteps of Parkes, and hold the world’s only ABBA tribute festival to bring some life back into their dying town?
The Untold Story Of The Vatican – 18 December
Documentary. The universal seat of Christendom, the Vatican boasts exceptional architecture, precious treasures of painting and sculpture, and priceless archives and manuscripts. It is this concentration of so many powers, so much knowledge and artistic wealth in the same place, that evokes questions, and invites examination.
How has this tiny city-state become a universal religious, political, and artistic centre? And what has been the role of art – be it painting, sculpture, or architecture – in building the power of the popes?
Indiana Jones: In Pursuit Of An Icon – 19 December
Documentary. A Stetson on his head, a whip in his hand, and an inimitable wry smile – all served up with a memorable anthem – you’ll recognise Indiana Jones anywhere. This new doco follows in the footsteps of the most famous adventurer in pop culture, from the corridors of Lyon’s Cinema Museum to the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, with Harrison Ford in the flesh among other stars.
Starring Dick Van Dyke – 19 December
Documentary. This brand new doco celebrates the life and career of legendary American performer Dick Van Dyke in honour of his 100th birthday on December 13, 2025. For eight decades, Dick has delighted audiences on screen and stage in such classic films as Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the hit Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie, the TV series Diagnosis Murder, and his iconic sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show.
In addition to clips from his most memorable work, this documentary features rare and never-before-seen footage, photos, home movies, and performance clips – as well as new, exclusive interviews with Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Jim Carrey, Ted Danson, Steve Martin, Conan O’Brien, Martin Short and more.
Hotel Chocolat At Christmas – 19 December
Special. Luxury British chocolate manufacturer, Hotel Chocolat, opens its doors for a festive behind-the-scenes countdown to Christmas, as the company races to create nearly 50-million chocolates. New chocolatier Sammie battles to perfect a complex three-layer Cranberry treat before factory trials, while store manager Steph transforms her Chelmsford shop from Halloween to Christmas overnight amid stock shortages and delicate displays.
A Warwick Castle Christmas – 20 December
Entertainment. Narrated by Mel Giedroyc, this program follows the team at Warwick Castle, a famous medieval landmark in England’s West Midlands region, as they prepare for their busiest time of the year.
As opening night approaches, there is much to be done to have the castle looking Christmas-perfect, and the wardrobe department is working overtime with the costumes for Warwick’s first panto. Once ‘Christmas fairies’ Val and Charlie have overseen the transformation, the first banquet can take place in the Great Hall, with a dash of festive fighting from two knights in armour.
Meanwhile, everyone is filled with festive cheer when snow covers the castle and grounds, except Michael, who oversees creating the perfect ice rink. Warwick then opens its doors for the annual charity event, with the Royal Spa Brass band and St Mary’s Choir teaming up for the festive outdoor sing-along service in the castle courtyard.
Icons Unearthed: The Fast And The Furious – 20 December
Documentary. It all began with a magazine article that exposed the world of illegal drag racing in cities across America. Creatives at Universal would go on to make a modest action film featuring drag racing, car modification, and of course, family.
This six-part series explores how The Fast And The Furious became one of the largest film franchises of all time. Worth billions of dollars in ticket sales, it has spawned merchandise, spin-offs, and theme park attractions, and put a series of increasingly amazing stunts on the world’s movie screens. Despite the loss of a beloved lead actor, the franchise is a masterclass in world-building, raising the stakes, and growing a truly dedicated international fanbase.
SBS On Demand: recently added
The Count of Monte Cristo – 11 December
Series. Finally landing on an Aussie streaming service after gaining audience and critical acclaim overseas, this new eight-episode series from Danish director Billie August reimagines Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel with an international cast – including Jeremy Irons and Sam Claflin (Peaky Blinders).
Unjustly accused of treason, young French sailor Edmond Dantès is imprisoned without trial in the forbidding island prison Château d’If off the coast of Marseille. During his years of imprisonment, Edmond befriends a fellow prisoner, a scholarly abbot, who educates him in multiple subjects – and reveals the whereabouts of a vast treasure. After escaping and adopting the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, he plans revenge against those who wrongly accused him. Watch the trailer.
Crime Season 2 – 9 December
Series. The streets of Edinburgh are the setting for Irvine Welsh’s Crime – the story of a tormented detective in a city on the edge of the abyss. Dougray Scott leads a stellar cast as Detective Inspector Ray Lennox, a man whose clear sight is as much a blessing as it is a curse.
Ken Burns’ The American Revolution – 7 December
Series. This landmark series examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down.
Voiced by an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Damian Lewis, Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hutcherson and Morgan Freeman.
Raised By Refugees Seasons 1-2 (1 December)
Series. It’s the new millennium in Auckland City, and Pax Assadi (Kenus Binu) is a 12-year-old who’s obsessed with hip hop, basketball, girls and Eddie Murphy.
His parents (Pax Assadi and Kalyani Nagarajan) came to NZ in the late 80s as refugees and all they want him to do is study hard and eventually become a doctor. All Pax wants to do is fit in and feel accepted, but with 9/11 a very fresh memory, that’s easier said than done for a part-Pakistani part-Iranian kid.
United States of Tara – Seasons 1-3 (1 December)
Series. Suburban wife and mother Tara Gregson (Toni Collette) juggles her family and career while experiencing the everyday challenges of Dissociative Identity Disorder. It’s never a dull moment in the Gregson household as her various identities may appear on any given day, all while her supportive husband Max (John Corbett) and their two teenage children, Kate (Brie Larson) and Marshall (Keir Gilchrist), try to lead as much of a ‘normal’ life as possible.
Best of 2025 – 1 December
Featured collection. Rewind and relive the best of what 2025 had to offer with a collection devoted to the series that Australia couldn’t get enough of this year.
The Handmaid’s Tale. The Handmaid’s Tale returned for its sixth and final season, exclusive to SBS.
Rogue Heroes. The stakes are higher, the missions bolder, and the heroes more rebellious than ever. Facing the threat of disbandment, season two of Rogue Heroes saw the unit trying to once again prove their significance.
Alone Australia. Alone Australia returned with the wildest and toughest season yet for season three.
Blue Lights. For season three, our favourite officers from Blackthorn Station are back and ready to take on Belfast’s most powerful, including a formidable new opponent.
