District 9 (2009)
Writer-director Neill Blomkamp (Demonic) shines a satirical spotlight on his home country in the Oscar-nominated alternative history sci-fi film, District 9.
In 1982, when a spaceship lands in Johannesburg, South Africa, the apartheid government confines over one million of its sickly alien passengers to a “refugee” camp called District 9. Twenty-eight years later, the government hires weapons manufacturer MultiNational United (MNU) to head up the forced removal of the aliens, now nicknamed Prawns, from their “filthy, lawless slum” to a new location. It’s a dirty job that gets kicked down the line until MNU executive Piet Smit (Louis Minnaar, Pa) assigns it to his son-in-law, Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley, Ted K), a bumbling bureaucrat. Thanks, nepotism!
As removal looms, one of the aliens, Christopher Johnson (Jason Cope), becomes desperate to grab the last opportunity to flee Earth along with his son. And when he and Wikus collide, Wikus gets an in-your-face lesson about what life is really like for the despised refugees, thanks to a mutagen that starts transforming him into a Prawn. Wikus goes on the run to escape vivisection in a lab, but there’s only one place where he can hide from the full force of government propaganda and murderous mercenary Colonel Kobus Venter (David James, Sew the Winter to My Skin) as his rights and privileges are stripped away: District 9.
More like this
Finding Optel to hit Showmax after BFI London Film Festival
Mikayla Joy Brown and Jesse Brown talk about Finding Optel's BFI London Film Festival premiere. Coming to Showmax on 24 October 2025.
Black Bag (2025)
Michael Fassbender faces the ultimate test of loyalty in espionage movie Black Bag, about a spy whose wife might be the mole he's tasked to find.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)
The epic anime prequel to The Lord of the Rings franchise. Hera, King Helm's daughter, must lead the fight against an enemy seeking vengeance.
Inside spy movie Black Bag
Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp give us a top-secret peek inside their new spy movie Black Bag.
A Nice Indian Boy (2025)
In this humorous, heartfelt romcom, a gay doctor brings his white fiancé home to meet his traditional Indian family.
RSVP for a Showmax wedding: 40+ celebrations to enjoy
From surprise vows to family feuds, Showmax is serving up over 40 wedding-themed movies and series. We’re saying I Do to non-stop entertainment!
31 top shows & movies to watch with Pride
While we held space for our friends in the US in June, South Africa celebrates Pride in October, so here are 31 shows that fly the Pride flag high.
Horror countdown: 31 days of Halloween
Get ready for Showmax's epic countdown to Halloween this October. From supernatural thrills to chilling horrors, there's something for everyone.Stream now on Showmax.
DAM S2: It’s time to face your fears
Stream Pulse S1 on Showmax
More enthralling movies to stream
Finding Optel to hit Showmax after BFI London Film Festival
Mikayla Joy Brown and Jesse Brown talk about Finding Optel's BFI London Film Festival premiere. Coming to Showmax on 24 October 2025.
Outlaws S2: Meet the new Sihle, Noluthando Ngema
Watch the trailer for Outlaws S2, featuring rising star Noluthando Ngema, streaming from 17 November and on Mzansi Magic from 22 November 2025.
Gallery: Showmax Fan Day with Youngins brings the heat
The Youngins cast brought the looks, laughs, and unforgettable vibes to Showmax Fan Day on 18 October.
MobLand S1
Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.
Latest Stories
Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe
Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join Spinners S2
Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break
Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex
Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax
The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red
Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special
South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations
What to watch on Showmax in October 2025
The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade
Married at First Sight: Themba on his "stunning" wife Nelisa
June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma
Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend
Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue
Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax
From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham
Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running
Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax
Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist
Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants
Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom
The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window
SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival
