In an outstanding year for children’s films (Paper Planes, Oddball), we take a look back at a history of talking animals and cartoon capers
• Storm Boy at Adelaide film festival – listen to our podcast
Australian films have had a rockin’ good year at the box office, chalking up nothing shy of the biggest collective haul (not adjusted for inflation) from local cinemas in history. To bastardise/paraphrase the Beatles and Scarface: we get by with a little help from our little friends.
Which is to say that youngsters in the audience have been instrumental in putting bums on seats. While the biggest box office performer this year by a country mile was Mad Max: Fury Road, viewers not old enough to properly appreciate unfettered carnage and a feminist role model with an amputated arm went elsewhere. Kids flicks such as Blinky Bill: The Movie, Paper Planes and Oddball have proved immensely popular (the second two taking around $10m apiece).
Related: Australian cinema's lost wave: the renaissance nobody's noticed
Related: The Dressmaker and Mad Max: Fury Road dominate Aactas, the Aussie Oscars
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