Best New Zealand Movies
This page is updated regularly. Subscribe, so you don't miss new recommendations. The list of "Best New Zealand Movies" contains films with the following parameters. Style: cult classic, weird, captivating, stylized, psychotronic and visually appealing. Plot: violence, brutality, mentor, storytelling, dialogue, blood, friendship, danger, catastrophe and vengeance. Genre: Adventure, Drama and Fantasy. Country: New Zealand, USA and Canada.
Best New Zealand Movies
TOP Movies: War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), Pearl (2022), Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), The Last Samurai (2003), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008), 30 Days of Night (2007), The Rule of Jenny Pen (2024), Dune: Part Two (2024), Superman (2025), X (2022), Braindead (1992), Happy Feet (2006), M3GAN (2022), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), Bridge to Terabithia (2007), Boy (2010), Housebound (2014), Once Were Warriors (1994), Deathgasm (2015).
List of Best Movies
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA
Duration: 169 min.
Story:
Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.
Style:
epic, breathtaking, captivating, epic fantasy, scenic ...
Audience:
family outing, teens, kids, chick flick, family friendly ...
Plot:
fantasy world, wizard, sword and sorcery, sword fight, magical, dragon, wizards and magicians, creature, imaginary kingdom, mythology, imaginary, ancient ...
Time:
future, year 2012, 2010s, prehistoric times, prehistory
Place:
new zealand, seattle
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 140 min.
Story:
Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the ...
Style:
suspense, exciting, psychotronic, futuristic, intense ...
Audience:
kids
Plot:
post apocalypse, ape, gorilla, talking animal, planet of the apes, future war, chimpanzee, revenge, near death experience, journey, animal, killer animal ...
Time:
2010s, near future, future, 2040s, year 2017
Place:
north america
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA
Duration: 144 min.
Story:
Immediately after the events of The Desolation of Smaug, Bilbo and the dwarves try to defend Erebor's mountain of treasure from others who claim it: the men of the ruined Laketown and the elves of Mirkwood. Meanwhile an army of Orcs led by Azog ...
Style:
epic, exciting, fantasy adventure, visually stunning, entertaining ...
Audience:
teens, kids, family outing, chick flick, adult
Plot:
fantasy world, sword fight, battles, good versus evil, sword and sorcery, dragon, imaginary kingdom, middle earth, elf, wizard, wizards and magicians, epic battle ...
Time:
year 2014, 2010s, future
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA
Duration: 201 min.
Story:
Aragorn is revealed as the heir to the ancient kings as he, Gandalf and the other members of the broken fellowship struggle to save Gondor from Sauron's forces. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam bring the ring closer to the heart of Mordor, the dark ...
Style:
epic, breathtaking, atmospheric, captivating, exciting ...
Audience:
teens, kids, family outing, manly, chick flick ...
Plot:
sword fight, magic, wizard, magical, battles, good versus evil, courage, monster, creature, friendship, sword and sorcery, ancient ...
Time:
year 2003, 2000s, prehistoric times, prehistory
Place:
iran, new zealand
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
156K
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Country: New Zealand, USA
Duration: 103 min.
Story:
Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations and repressions ...
Style:
slasher, scary, serious, suspenseful, disturbing ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
farm, serial killer, female protagonist, farmhouse, murder, rural setting, domineering mother, world war one, serial killer as protagonist, scarecrow, mental illness, audition ...
Time:
1910s, 2020s, year 1918, 20th century
Place:
texas, europe, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 242 min.
Story:
Zack Snyder's definitive director's cut of Justice League (2017).
Style:
saga, exciting, tense, cult classic, suspense ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
batman, superhero, superheroine, heroes, immortal, justice league, surrealism, superhero team, superman, female warrior, superhuman, villain ...
Time:
2020s, 2010s
Place:
usa, iceland, london, paris france, tower bridge london ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 154 min.
Story:
Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the ...
Style:
epic, breathtaking, exciting, captivating, period piece ...
Audience:
manly, girls' night, adult
Plot:
samurai, sword fight, battles, war, courage, japanese history, warrior, pride and honor, self discovery, human spirit, honor, loyalty ...
Time:
19th century, middle ages, victorian era, year 2003, 1800s ...
Place:
japan, asia, africa, san francisco, pacific ocean ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min.
Story:
Spencer returns to the world of Jumanji, prompting his friends, his grandfather and his grandfather’s friend to enter a different and more dangerous version to save him.
Style:
funny, breathtaking, action adventure, action comedy, captivating ...
Audience:
kids, teens, family outing, chick flick, adult
Plot:
jungle, adventurer, body swapping, curse, mission, teamwork, virtuality, trophy, ostrich, desert, obstacle course, rescue ...
Time:
year 2019, 2010s, jurassic
Place:
new hampshire
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min.
Story:
Alex, Marty, and other zoo animals find a way to escape from Madagascar when the penguins reassemble a wrecked airplane. The precariously repaired craft stays airborne just long enough to make it to the African continent. There the New Yorkers ...
Style:
entertaining, computer animated, humorous, 3d animation, hilarious ...
Audience:
kids, family outing, family friendly, teens, pre-teens ...
Plot:
hippopotamus, zebra, jungle, penguins, friendship, talking animal, lion, escape, friends, giraffe, chimpanzee, animal ...
Time:
year 2008, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
madagascar, new york, africa, kenya, manhattan new york city
Is relevant?
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min.
Story:
This is the story of an isolated Alaskan town that is plunged into darkness for a month each year when the sun sinks below the horizon. As the last rays of light fade, the town is attacked by a bloodthirsty gang of vampires bent on an uninterrupted ...
Style:
scary, bloody, gothic, atmospheric, horrifying ...
Audience:
teens, adult
Plot:
vampire, winter, small town, survival, snow, gory, blood, monster, supernatural, bloodsucker, blizzard, zombie ...
Time:
year 2007, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
alaska, oceania, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 104 min.
Story:
Confined to a secluded rest home and trapped within his stroke-ridden body, a former Judge must stop an elderly psychopath who employs a child's puppet to abuse the home's residents with deadly consequences.
Style:
psychological thriller, sadistic, psychological horror
Plot:
psychological torture, sadist, judge, bully, humiliation, dementia, doll, sadism, supernatural horror, torture, cruelty, resistance ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Jordan
Duration: 166 min.
Story:
Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul ...
Style:
epic, captivating, psychological, suspenseful, action adventure ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
space opera, desert, desert planet, dune, fictional war, creature, sandstorm, monster, alien, star wars, messiah, exploration ...
Time:
distant future, future
Place:
space western
Is relevant?
388K
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min.
Story:
The next installment in the Superman series. This will be WB's ninth live-action Superman film. The plot is unknown at this time.
Style:
surprise ending, inspirational, emotional, epic, psychotronic ...
Plot:
superhero, urban setting, heroism, villain, alien, superhero team, dog, clone, lex luthor character, superheroine, robot, showdown ...
Time:
2020s
Place:
kansas, north america, antarctica, pentagon
Is relevant?
221K
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, New Zealand
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.
Style:
slasher, suspense, disturbing, psychological, scary ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
elderly couple, serial killer, adult filmmaking, televangelist, characters murdered one by one, farmhouse, husband wife relationship, van, old woman, farmer, jealousy, old age ...
Time:
2020s, 70s, 20th century, 1910s, year 1918 ...
Place:
texas, houston texas
Is relevant?
109K
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 104 min.
Story:
When a Sumatran rat-monkey bites Lionel Cosgrove's mother, she's transformed into a zombie and begins killing (and transforming) the entire town while Lionel races to keep things under control.
Style:
bloody, dark comedy, cult classic, horror comedy, creepy ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
gory, zombie, dark humor, living dead, infection, eaten alive, terror, monster, supernatural, zombie attack, body horror, macabre ...
Time:
90s, year 1992, 20th century, 50s, 1950s ...
Place:
new zealand, oceania
Is relevant?
212K
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 108 min.
Story:
Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!
Style:
feel good, entertaining, computer animated, sweet, 3d animation ...
Audience:
kids, family outing, family friendly, toddlers, girls' night ...
Plot:
penguins, looking for love, social misfits, snow, fish, exile, environment, danger, goofy hero, lone hero, dancing, winter ...
Time:
year 2006, 2000s
Place:
antarctica, antarctic
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA
Duration: 179 min.
Story:
Frodo and Sam are trekking to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power while Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn search for the orc-captured Merry and Pippin. All along, nefarious wizard Saruman awaits the Fellowship members at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard.
Style:
epic, atmospheric, captivating, dark fantasy, exciting ...
Audience:
family outing, teens, kids, manly, chick flick ...
Plot:
magic, fantasy world, sword fight, wizard, magical, friendship, mission, good versus evil, monster, middle earth, sword and sorcery, mythology ...
Time:
2000s, year 2002, prehistoric times, prehistory
Place:
iran, new zealand
Is relevant?
180K
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, New Zealand
Duration: 102 min.
Story:
A brilliant toy company roboticist uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece. But when the doll's programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her ...
Style:
slasher, tense, captivating, terrifying, cyber ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
artificial intelligence, doll, robot, female robot, sentient robot, robot human relationship, talking robot, killer robot, robotics, humanoid robot, orphan, killer doll ...
Place:
oregon, portland oregon, washington state, seattle
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, New Zealand, France, Canada
Duration: 150 min.
Story:
Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as ...
Style:
humorous, disturbing, captivating, exciting, suspense ...
Plot:
team, raccoon, mad scientist, animal testing, alien planet, animal cruelty, animal experimentation, tragic past, animal abuse, rescue, friendship, spaceship ...
Time:
future, 2020s, 21st century
Place:
space western
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, New Zealand
Duration: 96 min.
Story:
Jesse Aarons trained all summer to become the fastest runner in school, so he's very upset when newcomer Leslie Burke outruns him and everyone else. Despite this and other differences, including that she's rich, he's poor, and ...
Style:
emotional, touching, sad, tear jerker, teen ...
Audience:
family outing, kids, teens, family friendly, chick flick ...
Plot:
friendship, childhood, imagination, children, escape from reality, fantasy world, classmate, loneliness, magical, imaginary, teenage girl, loss of friend ...
Time:
year 2007, 21st century
Is relevant?
31K
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 87 min.
Story:
It's 1984, and Michael Jackson is king - even in Waihau Bay, New Zealand. Here we meet Boy, an 11-year-old who lives on a farm with his gran, a goat, and his younger brother, Rocky (who thinks he has magic powers). Shortly after Gran leaves for ...
Style:
touching, humorous, visually appealing, unusual plot structure, surreal ...
Plot:
coming of age, childhood, absent father, daydreamer, youth, small town, beach, family relations, father son relationship, mischievous children, parents and children, boy ...
Time:
year 1984, year 2010, 2010s, 80s, 20th century ...
Place:
new zealand, oceania, tokyo
Is relevant?
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 107 min.
Story:
When Kylie Bucknell is sentenced to home detention, she's forced to come to terms with her unsociable behaviour, her blabbering mother and a hostile spirit who seems less than happy about the new living arrangement.
Style:
scary, horror comedy, creepy, frightening, black comedy ...
Audience:
date night, teens
Plot:
haunted house, house arrest, haunted, female protagonist, plot twist, dark humor, parents and children, ghost, police investigation, blood, danger, halloween ...
Time:
2010s, 21st century
Place:
new zealand, oceania
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 102 min.
Story:
A drama about a Maori family lving in Auckland, New Zealand. Lee Tamahori tells the story of Beth Heke’s strong will to keep her family together during times of unemployment and abuse from her violent and alcoholic husband.
Style:
disturbing, brutal, depressing, controversial, realistic ...
Plot:
relationships, gang, violent, children, dysfunctional family, indigenous people, child abuse, domestic abuse, redemption, ghetto, working class, family relations ...
Time:
20th century, year 1994, 90s
Place:
new zealand, oceania
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
21K
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Music
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 86 min.
Story:
Two teenage boys unwittingly summon an ancient evil entity known as The Blind One by delving into black magic while trying to escape their mundane lives.
Style:
atmospheric, satanic, dark comedy, demonic, horror comedy ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
heavy metal, demon, teenage boy, bullying, music, supernatural, high school student, hard rock, black metal, demonic possession, blood, stoner ...
Place:
oceania, new zealand, new jersey
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 124 min.
Story:
One-time Maori speed-chess champ, Genesis Potini, lives with a bi-polar disorder and must overcome prejudice and violence in the battle to save his struggling chess club, his family and ultimately, himself.
Style:
realistic, captivating, serious, emotional, depressing ...
Plot:
chess, brother brother relationship, hopes, teenager, illness, friendship, compassion, boy, uncle nephew relationship, underdog, contests and competitions, dedicated educator ...
Time:
20th century, year 2016, future
Place:
new zealand, oceania
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA, UK
Duration: 178 min.
Story:
Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make ...
Style:
epic, scenic, atmospheric, breathtaking, exciting ...
Audience:
teens, kids, family outing, manly, chick flick ...
Plot:
sword fight, fantasy world, friendship, sword and sorcery, good versus evil, wizard, magic, middle earth, lord of the rings, mythology, hobbit, magical ...
Time:
year 2001, future, 2000s, prehistoric times, prehistory
Place:
iran, detroit, new zealand
Is relevant?
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 88 min.
Story:
The New Zealand made "Eagle vs Shark" is the tale of two socially awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love; through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games. Love blossoms for Lily over double Meaty Boy ...
Style:
humorous, absurd, indie film, sentimental, funny ...
Plot:
misfit, love story, friendship, dark humor, eagle, fall in love, eccentricity, crazy, love and romance, obsessive quest, looking for love, love affair ...
Time:
year 2007
Place:
new zealand, oceania
Is relevant?
101K
Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: New Zealand, Australia, France
Duration: 121 min.
Story:
After a long voyage from Scotland, pianist Ada McGrath and her young daughter, Flora, are left with all their belongings, including a piano, on a New Zealand beach. Ada, who has been mute since childhood, has been sold into marriage to a local man ...
Style:
period piece, sexy, psychological, erotic, sexual ...
Audience:
chick flick, girls' night
Plot:
piano, desire, sexual relations, adultery, couple relations, mother daughter relationship, love triangle, feminist, love, love affair, couples, infidelity ...
Time:
19th century, victorian era, 1850s, year 1993, 90s ...
Place:
new zealand, oceania, scotland
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Canada, New Zealand
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
A highly sophisticated Program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind's first encounter with A.I. beings.
Style:
stylized, action packed, futuristic, tense, existential ...
Audience:
family friendly
Plot:
cyberpunk, artificial intelligence, portal, virtual reality, combat, escape, urban, identity, hacker, dystopia, surveillance, laboratory ...
Time:
near future, 2020s, future
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 110 min.
Story:
A 17 year-old student is forced to get off the fence he has actively sat on all his life to stand up for himself, his whanau (family) and his future in this heartwarming story of identity.
Style:
crying
Plot:
rugby, racism, student, biracial, overweight, coming of age, teenage boy, 17 year old, apartheid, demonstration, outsider, videotaping ...
Time:
year 1981, 80s
Place:
new zealand
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
