15 THINGS TO WATCH AND PLAY THIS SUMMER

The Secret Life of Us. Image sourced from ABC iview. 

If you’re looking for indoor screen activities on those hot summer days, VicScreen has you sorted. Check out our quintessential list of Victorian-made films, TV and games for your must-watch-and-play list over the break.

#1 The Secret Life Us (TV series)
Filmed in St Kilda, The Secret Life of Us showcased a slice of Melbourne life in the early 2000s, through the lens of young adults who lived in the same apartment block. Starring Claudia Karvan, Deborah Mailman and Samuel Johnson, the show explores the characters’ relationships, romantic entanglements, friendships and professional lives, and how they all intersect. And good news! It has just arrived on ABC iview.

Image Network 10/IMDB.

#2 Addition (film) 
Get your rom-com fix with this upcoming feature. Off a successful run of TV series, including ABC’s The Family Next Door which is available to stream on ABC iview, Teresa Palmer (A Discovery of Witches) leads this TIFF-selected adaptation of Toni Jordan’s bestselling novel. Grace, played by Palmer, is a mathematician with a compulsive counting habit. She enters a budding romance with Seamus, played by Joe Dempsie (Skins, Game of Thrones), who helps her see a life beyond numbers. In cinemas 29 January. 

Teresa Palmer and Joe Dempsie in Addition. Photo by Ben King. 

#3 Dog Park (TV series) 
Sit, stay, laugh! Dog Park, an upcoming Australian TV series about dog owners at a local park, is set to premiere on the ABC on 1 February 2026. Filmed in Melbourne, the heart-warming new six-part comedy series stars Leon Ford (The Last Anniversary, Elvis) and the award-winning Celia Pacquola (Rosehaven, Love Me). Produced by Matchbox Pictures, which is part of Universal International Studios, Dog Park was co-created by Leon Ford and  Amanda Higgs (Bad Behaviour, Mustangs FC). In the grip of a mid-life crisis, Roland (Leon Ford) meets the eternal optimist Samantha (Celia Pacquola) and her mismatched, life-loving group of dog-parkers. A feel-good story about digging deep and sniffing out community where you least expect it.

Image Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

#4 Goolagong (TV series) 
A new, three-part miniseries produced by Werner Film Productions brings a dramatic portrait of tennis player Evonne Goolagong to the small screen. Set to broadcast on the ABC on 4 January 2026 — right in time for the Australian Open —   Goolagong  will be brought to life by esteemed Indigenous screen leaders, director Wayne Blair (Mystery Road, Total Control), writer Steven McGregor (Sweet Country, Mystery Road: Origin), and co-producer Danielle MacLean (Emily: I Am Kam, True Colours). Rising star Lila McGuire (The Twelve) plays Evonne Goolagong with Felix Mallard (Ginny and Georgia, Neighbours) as Roger Cawley, and Luke Carroll (Mystery Road: Origin, Scrublands season 2) as Kenny Goolagong. 

Lila McGuire. Photo by Ben King. 

 
#5 Deadbeat Ends Meet (YouTube series) 
Stream the latest Australian sitcom from the world of adult animation on YouTube. Deadbeat Ends Meet follows housemates Milo, the frilled-neck lizard, and Indy, the dingo, as they grapple with the cost of living while enduring the gig economy. Voiced by Charotte Nicdao (Mythic Quest) and Jackzon Tozer.

Image courtesy of LateNite Films Pty Ltd. 

#6 Surviving Summer (TV series) 
Surfs up! Showcasing the best of Victoria’s coastal life, including Angelsea and Bells Beach, the hit Netflix teen drama Surviving Summer follows a rebellious girl from New York as she’s expelled from school and exiled to Australia. Making waves amongst a young surfer's inner circle, she leaves a mess in her wake. Produced by Werner Film Productions, all two seasons are available to stream on Netflix. 

Savannah La Rain as Bodhi Mercer and Lilliana Bowrey as Poppy Tetanui. Photo by Ben Saunders. 

#7 Magic Beach (TV series) 

Unlock a child’s imagination with Magic Beach. Made as a feature film by Robert Connolly, and based on Alison Lester’s iconic children’s book, it’s now available to watch as 10 mini-episodic animations on ABC iview. The series follows nine children and a dog, with each episode focusing on the adventures of a different character, incorporating the illustrative style of ten different animators.

Image Arena Media. 

#8 CEEBS (online series) 
Stop rewatching Addison Rae’s Australian tour on TikTok and tune into the absurdist vertical micro-drama CEEBS. The Gen Z-led TikTok and Instagram series follows best friends Zion and Ruby as they attempt to save their youth centre from closing. A tribute to the community spaces they grew up in, co-creators Betiel Beyin and Leigh Lule (Turn Up the Volume) — who also co-wrote and star in the series — are making space for a new generation of audiences that are entertained by content found solely on the internet. 

Image BANTA Productions. 
 

#9 Little J Big Cuz (TV series) 
5-year-old Little J and nine-year-old Big Cuz are a couple of Indigenous Australian kids living with their Nanna and Old Dog; going on adventures from the playground to the classroom, to their backyard and beyond. Follow their many ups and downs as they learn about their culture, community and country with the help of Nanna and their teacher Ms Chen. Available to watch on ABC iview. 

Image Ned Lander Media. 

#10 Moonlight in Garland (game) 
From developer Violet LeBeaux comes Moonlight in Garland , a cozy, open-ended life sim set in the bustling metropolis of Garland. Whether you’re growing houseplants or helping out your new neighbours, every day brings fun, friendships and the weird side of city-living. Unpack your boxes, find your people, and make the city of Garland your home. Available to play on Steam.

Image courtesy of Violet LeBeaux. 

#11 Letters to Arralla (game) 
Created by studio Little Pink Clouds, Letters to Arralla is a wholesome, family-friendly exploration role-playing game set on a small fictional island off the coast of Victoria. You are a newly recruited mail-turnip delivering letters, parcels and packages to the island's charming residents. Available to play on Steam. 

Image courtesy of Litle Pink Clouds. 

#12 LEGO® Party! (game) 
From SMG Studio comes LEGO® Party!, a four-player party game that's built differently. Compete against your friends in wacky Challenge Zones and 60 hilarious minigames from across your favourite LEGO sets, including Pirates, Space, NINJAGO® and more. Join your friends no matter their platform, locally or online.

Image courtesy of SMG Studio. 

#13 Nanomon (game) 
Nanomon are byte-sized virtual pets for the corner of your screen! Created by developer Oscar Brittain, you can raise over 25 unique monsters by feeding them, training them, or chilling with them! By your side, Nanomon evolve, learn new abilities, and venture further into the Nanoscape! What kind of monster will you raise? Available to play on Steam. 

Image courtesy of Oscar Brittain.


#14 Cowboy Bebop x Pixel Starships (game) 
Captains! As part of a brand new, official collaboration from local studio SavySoda: Cowboy Bebop is making an appearance in Pixel Starships. Join Spike, Faye, Jet, Ed and Ein in a special Pixel Starships crossover event, including new equipment, a special Woolong Exchange, the BEBOP ship design, and a BEBOP hangar with craft skins! Available to play on Steam, Google Play and the App Store. 

Image SavySoda. 

#15 Cult of the Lamb (game) 
Award-winning studio Massive Monster's hit game Cult of the Lamb is now on Apple Arcade! The Cult of the Lamb Arcade Edition includes every major update and DLC expansion released, as well as new follower forms and base decorations exclusive to this version of the game. Build a loyal community of woodland followers and spread your word to become the one true cult. Available to play on Apple Arcade.

Image Massive Monster.