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Stuck on what to watch on Stan Australia this January? Look no further; we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll explore the top IMDb-rated shows now streaming on Stan Australia (and some of our personal favourites) to keep you entertained for hours.
Discover the Best Stan Shows in Australia: Top-Rated TV Series In Every Genre
We all have a handful of ‘comfort’ shows; television series that we watch over and over again. But it’s time to try something new. Choosing a new series to watch can be challenging; you don’t want to waste your time testing the waters of a new show only to find it’s not the one for you after a couple of episodes. We’re all busy people; that’s why we’ve done all the hard work for you.
No matter your favourite genre of TV – comedy, crime, thriller or drama – you’ll find something totally worth watching below.
Still stuck on what to watch? Take a look at DMARGE StreamScout – Your definitive guide to every movie and TV show, ranked by IMDb.
In this Best Stan Shows and Series Guide
Streaming Stan Australia: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best TV Shows
American Gigolo
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: Jon Bernthal, Gretchen Mol, Lizzie Brocheré
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Released: 2022
IMDb Rating: 7.3
This series is a present-day reimagining of the 1980 film, American Gigolo. Bernthal plays Julian Kaye (the character Richard Gere played in the OG film), a former sex worker who was wrongfully imprisoned for 15 years.
The series follows Julian as he readjusts to the world around him after being suddenly released from prison; overall American Gigolo is gritty, dark and compelling.
Better Call Saul
Director: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould
Starring: Bob Odenkirk
Genre: Crime, Drama
Released: 2015
IMDb Rating: 8.8
This series is a prequel to the award-winning show Breaking Bad. Better Call Saul explores how a struggling attorney named Jimmy McGill became the well-connected, law-breaking lawyer Saul Goodman. The show is excellent thanks to interesting plotlines, smidges of dark comedy, and Odenkirk’s charisma.
You’ll enjoy Better Call Saul whether you have or haven’t seen Breaking Bad but you’ll appreciate the series more if you have.
Billions
Director: Various
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis
Genre: Drama
Released: 2016
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Billions follows United States Attorney Chuck Rhoades, played by Giamatti, as he tries to bring down crooked hedge fund manager, Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod, played by Lewis. The show is compelling and features incredible plotlines, dialogue and acting from every cast member; particularly Giamatti.
If you’re a fan of Suits, Succession, or Homeland, you’ll enjoy Billions.
Black Sails
Director: Various
Starring: Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Luke Arnold
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Released: 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Think Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon, but on the unforgiving high seas; Black Sails is the best representation of pirate culture and the perfect saga for fans of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean. This R-Rated drama series, set during the Golden Age of Piracy, is a lawless story where buccaneers and thieves ruled the waves seeking treasures and discovering new land.
Starring Toby Stephens, Hannah New and Luke Arnold, Black Sails expertly blends historical narratives and Piracy lore with high-stakes adventure; the character development is top-tier with many unsuspecting twists along the way.
There’s a reason it won three Emmys during its peak.
Breaking Bad
Director: Vince Gilligan
Starring: Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2008
IMDb Rating: 9.4
The aforementioned Breaking Bad follows high school chemistry teacher Walter White. When the mild-mannered White is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decides to cook and sell meth to ensure his family has enough money to survive after his impending death. Breaking Bad, which won 16 Primetime Emmys, is incredibly gripping and features a phenomenal performance from Cranston.
Considered one of the best series of all time, you have to watch Breaking Bad.
C*A*U*G*H*T
Director: Kick Gurry
Starring: Ben O’Toole, Kick Gurry, Lincoln Younes, Sean Penn
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2023
IMDb Rating: 5.1
If you ever wondered what it would look like if Tropic Thunder had been made by a bunch of Australian stars instead of Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., you’d probably end up with something like C*A*U*G*H*T, the latest Stan Original Series now streaming.
Check out our full guide here.
Community
Director: Various
Starring: Joel McHale, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2009
IMDb Rating: 8.5
When Jeff Winger’s law degree is revoked, he is forced to attend community college. There, Winger meets an attractive woman in his Spanish class and in an attempt to bed her, Winger offers to help her study. However, when a bunch of offbeat students also attend the study session, they all become friends.
Fast-paced, quirky and downright hilarious, Community is a must-watch comedy series.
Doctor Who
Director: Various
Starring: David Tennant, Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith, Jodie Whittaker
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Released: 2005
IMDb Rating: 8.6
This iconic sci-fi show really doesn’t need an introduction, and I’m sorry, but if you’ve never heard of Doctor Who you must be living under a rock. The Doctor, an alien Time Lord adventurer, is able to move through space and time to problem-solve and fight injustice; and occasionally regenerates into a new ‘form’ (hence why multiple actors have played the character over the years).
Doctor Who has a cult following for being so damn good, so if you’re a fan of sci-fi and haven’t watched the series, get onto it!
Dr Death
Director: Various
Starring: Joshua Jackson, Christian Slater, Alec Baldwin
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2021
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Inspired by a true story, Dr Death follows neurosurgeon Dr Christopher Duntsch, who both permanently maimed and killed patients during routine spinal surgeries. The mini-series also focuses on the two surgeons and the district attorney who set out to stop Duntsch and bring him to justice.
Fascinating, slightly unnerving (in a good way), and with phenomenal acting from the cast, Dr Death is a great series for thriller lovers.
Fargo
Director: Various
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Wilson, Jesse Plemons, Ted Danson, Ewan McGregor, David Thewlis, Chris Rock
Genre: Crime, Drama, Black Comedy
Released: 2014
IMDb Rating: 8.9
Fargo is an anthology series and was inspired by the 1996 film of the same name. Each season is set in a new location and era and features different characters and cast members. The connecting thread is that each season follows some sort of murder investigation.
Fargo is critically acclaimed and lovers of the crime genre, in particular, will highly enjoy the show.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Director: Various
Starring: Elisabeth Moss
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: 2017
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Set in a dystopic future, The Handmaid’s Tale follows June, a fertile woman (one of very few in this bleak dictatorship reality), who is forced to bear children for childless government officials. Horrifying yet engrossing and with such an important message, this critically acclaimed series is definitely one to add to your watch list.
If you liked The Hunger Games film series or Westworld, you’ll enjoy The Handmaid’s Tale.
The Inbetweeners
Director: Various
Starring: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2008
IMDb Rating: 8.4
The Inbetweeners follows four awkward but relatable teenagers in their final year of high school. A hilarious coming-of-age series, you’ll laugh out loud when watching this British sitcom.
If you liked Freaks and Geeks or American Pie, The Inbetweeners is the British (and arguably better) version.
Luther
Director: Various
Starring: Idris Elba
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Released: 2010
IMDb Rating: 8.4
John Luther, played by Elba, is a brilliant but troubled detective who investigates murders; usually committed by a serial killer. The show is gritty and captivating, and Elba’s performance as Luther – that earned him a Critics’ Choice Television Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award – is superb.
Just watch the first episode of Luther and you’ll be hooked.
Mad Men
Director: Various
Starring: Jon Hamm, John Slattery, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss
Genre: Drama
Released: 2007
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Set in the 1960s, Mad Men follows the talented and charismatic Don Draper, an ad executive at one of New York’s most prestigious ad agencies. Critically acclaimed for its writing, acting, directing, visual style, and historical authenticity, during its run Mad Men picked up 5 Golden Globes and 16 Emmys.
Classic and smart, Mad Men is a show you should definitely check out.
The Office (UK & US versions)
Director: Various
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman (UK), Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson (US)
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2001 (UK), 2005 (US)
IMDb Rating: 8.5 (UK), 8.9 (US)
The Office follows the misadventures of the various office employees of a paper company in a mockumentary style. The Office UK came first but this is a rare instance where the American adaptation became more popular and successful than the original British version.
Both versions of The Office are good for different reasons but most of your mates will claim the US is superior; so, see if you agree by watching both.
Peep Show
Director: Various
Starring: David Mitchell, Robert Webb
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2003
IMDb Rating: 8.7
A prime example of superb British humour, Peep Show follows two dysfunctional friends from college as they try to live together and adjust to the ‘real world’. Peep Show is fresh but filled with dry, dark humour so snowflakes beware.
If you enjoy The IT Crowd, the UK version of The Office and The Inbetweeners, you’ll love Peep Show.
Sherlock
Director: Various
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Released: 2010
IMDb Rating: 9.1
Sherlock is a modernised adaptation of Sir Conan Arthur Doyle’s famous Sherlock Holmes novels. Cumberbatch stars as Sherlock, a private detective who uses unorthodox methods to brilliantly solve mysteries and crimes, and Doctor John Watson, played by Freeman, is a veteran of the Afghan war who assists Sherlock with crime-solving.
Highly entertaining thanks to magnificent writing and acting, Sherlock is one of the best television shows of all time; making it a must-watch.
Staged
Director: Simon Evans
Starring: David Tennant, Michael Sheen
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2020
IMDb Rating: 8.4
If you’re ready to look back and laugh at the pandemic that we’ve all conveniently blocked from recent memory, then jump back into that bizarre world with Staged, the lockdown comedy starring David Tennant (Broadchurch, Dr. Who) and Michael Sheen (Underworld, Frost/Nixon).
The two British actors provide comedic respite from the devastating effects of the lockdowns and isolation that we experienced; the pair’s signature witty banter and chemistry made light of a dark situation, and, looking back, still provides funny light relief for a time that really was a strange time in history.
Supernatural
Director: Various
Starring: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Released: 2005
IMDb Rating: 8.4
Two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester travel across America to hunt down and kill various evil supernatural creatures including monsters, demons, and gods. The show has wonderfully dark and light moments, and the chemistry between Padalecki and Ackles allows Supernatural to have a somewhat authentic portrayal of brothers.
If you like The X Files, The Originals or Angel, you’ll love Supernatural.
The Thick of It
Director: Armando Iannucci
Starring: Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison, Joanna Scanlan
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2005
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Peter Capaldi’s performance as the foul-mouthed political spin doctor Malcolm Tucker received critical acclaim during this Stan series’ first run on British television. Through its almost cringe-worthy depiction of British politics, the show developed a cult following back in blighty and is often referenced in the poor state of the UK’s politics today.
Must watch for fans of dry British humour and an inside look behind the curtain.
Top Gear
Director: Various
Starring: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Reality TV
Released: 2002
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Top Gear explores everything car-related. The hosts discuss new cars, how different cars work and test whether cars live up to their manufacturers’ claims through extreme stunts and challenges. Various celebrities appear in some episodes to help discuss and test out vehicles, and the show is rather lighthearted and fun.
Love cars? It’s simple: you’ll love Top Gear.
The Tourist
Director: Various
Starring: Jamie Dornan
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: 2022
IMDb Rating: 7.1
The Tourist is a mini-series that follows a man who wakes up in the Australian outback with absolutely no memory of who he is. However, as merciless figures from his past start to pursue him, the man must piece together what little information he has to discover his identity.
Intelligent with a great mystery, The Tourist is a great new show for those who love thrillers.
Twisted Metal
Director: Various
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Seanoa (and Joe McHale)
Genre: Action, Horror, Comedy
Released: 2023
IMDb Rating: 7.4
Based on the best-selling Playstation game of the same name, Twisted Metal follows the stories of a delivery driver who doesn’t operate the normal Amazon Prime beat. After a cataclysmic event descended the world into a post-apocalyptic state, only the bravest – or dumbest – venture outside of the perimeters of the few cities that were established.
Enter John Doe, our atypical hero, a sometimes mute, sometimes foul-mouthed outsider, and a machete-wielding clown.
Twisted Metal is absurd, bloody and hilarious; its premise could be seen as pretty basic but the performances of Mackie and Beatriz carry a lot of weight and their chemistry elevates the show and brings us along for the death-defying ride.
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