MARGOT Robbie's Oscar nomination could not have been more perfectly timed.

The Queensland actor produces and stars in the darkly funny film I, Tonya, which opens in Australian cinemas today.

Allison Janney is also up for an Academy Award for her performance in the film, which recounts the rise and fall from grace of US ice skater Tonya Harding.

Also out this week is award-winning filmmaker Warwick Thornton's harrowing outback western Sweet Country, which features the raw talent of first-time Aboriginal actors opposite screen stalwarts Bryan Brown and Sam Neill.

Here are this week's highlights of the big screen and why you should see them:

I, Tonya (MA 15+)

Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises among the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.

Why you should see it: Margot Robbie brings grace and strength to figure skating's biggest villain in her Oscar-worthy turn. Allison Janney nearly steals the show, though, as Tonya's mother LaVona. Read the review.

Sweet Country (MA 15+)

Inspired by real events, Sweet Country is a period western set in 1929 in the outback of the Northern Territory, Australia. When Aboriginal stockman Sam kills white station owner Harry March in self defence, Sam and his wife Lizzie go on the run. They are pursued across the outback, through glorious but harsh desert country.

Why you should see it: This is a harrowing film but an important one highlighting the injustices that took place on the outback frontier. The performances by the indigenous cast members, nearly all acting for the first time, are captivating. Read the review.

The Jungle Bunch (G)

Maurice may look like a penguin - but he's a real tiger inside! Raised by a tigress, he's the clumsiest Kung-Fu master ever. Along with his friends, The Jungle Bunch, he intends to maintain order and justice in the jungle, as his mother did before him.

Why you should see it: This big-screen adaptation of the animated French TV series will entertain the little ones, but it's pretty tame despite its animal cast and offers little in the way of entertainment for parents. Read the review.

Continuing

The Shape of Water (MA 15+)

An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment.

Why you should see it: There's a surprisingly tender love story at the core of this monster movie, which is deservedly getting plenty of awards attention in Hollywood. Read the review.

Swinging Safari (M)

A teenager comes of age in a small Australian town during the 1970s when a 200-ton blue whale gets washed up on a local beach.

Why you should see it: While it may not have the pathos of Priscilla, director Stephan Elliott's '70s beach romp is good fun and boasts a great cast. If you're old enough to remember the decade, then Swinging Safari will give you a serious case of nostalgia. Read the review.

The Commuter (M)

A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.

Why you should see it: Despite saying he's done making action films, Liam Neeson is back in this B-grade thriller - his fourth film with director Jaume Collet-Serra. Read the review.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (M)

Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze.

Why you should see it: Fans of this dystopian teen drama will be keen to find out some answers themselves in this finale to the Maze Runner saga, which has made an action star out of Dylan O'Brien. Read the review.

Darkest Hour (PG)

During the early days of World War II, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.

Why you should see it: Golden Globe winner Gary Oldman is electrifying as Churchill. He may not be the first actor to portray the larger-than-life figure (following Brian Cox in last year's Churchill) but he's certainly one of the best. Read the review.

The Post (M)

This thrilling drama chronicles the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post's Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, and editor Ben Bradlee, as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two must overcome their differences as they risk their careers to help bring long-buried truths to light.

Why you should see it: Director Steven Spielberg and stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks are a screen dream team, bringing to life a story that is more timely than ever. Read the review.

The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature (G)

Following the events of the first film, Surly and his friends must stop Oakton City's mayor from destroying their home to make way for a dysfunctional amusement park.

Why you should see it: This film may be an improvement over its predecessor, but it's still only enough to keep the little ones entertained. It's silly, but the jokes will wear thin on parents.

All The Money in the World (MA 15+)

The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom.

Why you should see it:  This is an absorbing story, made even more so by the fact that it's based on real life. Christopher Plummer gives a particularly powerful performance. Read the review.

MARGOT Robbie's Oscar nomination could not have been more perfectly timed.

The Queensland actor produces and stars in the darkly funny film I, Tonya, which opens in Australian cinemas today.

Allison Janney is also up for an Academy Award for her performance in the film, which recounts the rise and fall from grace of US ice skater Tonya Harding.

Also out this week is award-winning filmmaker Warwick Thornton's harrowing outback western Sweet Country, which features the raw talent of first-time Aboriginal actors opposite screen stalwarts Bryan Brown and Sam Neill.

Here are this week's highlights of the big screen and why you should see them:

I, Tonya (MA 15+)

Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises among the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.

Why you should see it: Margot Robbie brings grace and strength to figure skating's biggest villain in her Oscar-worthy turn. Allison Janney nearly steals the show, though, as Tonya's mother LaVona. Read the review.

Sweet Country (MA 15+)

Inspired by real events, Sweet Country is a period western set in 1929 in the outback of the Northern Territory, Australia. When Aboriginal stockman Sam kills white station owner Harry March in self defence, Sam and his wife Lizzie go on the run. They are pursued across the outback, through glorious but harsh desert country.

Why you should see it: This is a harrowing film but an important one highlighting the injustices that took place on the outback frontier. The performances by the indigenous cast members, nearly all acting for the first time, are captivating. Read the review.

The Jungle Bunch (G)

Maurice may look like a penguin - but he's a real tiger inside! Raised by a tigress, he's the clumsiest Kung-Fu master ever. Along with his friends, The Jungle Bunch, he intends to maintain order and justice in the jungle, as his mother did before him.

Why you should see it: This big-screen adaptation of the animated French TV series will entertain the little ones, but it's pretty tame despite its animal cast and offers little in the way of entertainment for parents. Read the review.

Continuing

The Shape of Water (MA 15+)

An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment.

Why you should see it: There's a surprisingly tender love story at the core of this monster movie, which is deservedly getting plenty of awards attention in Hollywood. Read the review.

Swinging Safari (M)

A teenager comes of age in a small Australian town during the 1970s when a 200-ton blue whale gets washed up on a local beach.

Why you should see it: While it may not have the pathos of Priscilla, director Stephan Elliott's '70s beach romp is good fun and boasts a great cast. If you're old enough to remember the decade, then Swinging Safari will give you a serious case of nostalgia. Read the review.

The Commuter (M)

A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.

Why you should see it: Despite saying he's done making action films, Liam Neeson is back in this B-grade thriller - his fourth film with director Jaume Collet-Serra. Read the review.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (M)

Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze.

Why you should see it: Fans of this dystopian teen drama will be keen to find out some answers themselves in this finale to the Maze Runner saga, which has made an action star out of Dylan O'Brien. Read the review.

Darkest Hour (PG)

During the early days of World War II, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.

Why you should see it: Golden Globe winner Gary Oldman is electrifying as Churchill. He may not be the first actor to portray the larger-than-life figure (following Brian Cox in last year's Churchill) but he's certainly one of the best. Read the review.

The Post (M)

This thrilling drama chronicles the unlikely partnership between The Washington Post's Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, and editor Ben Bradlee, as they race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two must overcome their differences as they risk their careers to help bring long-buried truths to light.

Why you should see it: Director Steven Spielberg and stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks are a screen dream team, bringing to life a story that is more timely than ever. Read the review.

The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature (G)

Following the events of the first film, Surly and his friends must stop Oakton City's mayor from destroying their home to make way for a dysfunctional amusement park.

Why you should see it: This film may be an improvement over its predecessor, but it's still only enough to keep the little ones entertained. It's silly, but the jokes will wear thin on parents.

All The Money in the World (MA 15+)

The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom.

Why you should see it:  This is an absorbing story, made even more so by the fact that it's based on real life. Christopher Plummer gives a particularly powerful performance. Read the review.