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, atmospheric, serious, weird, visually stunning and captivating. Plot: violence, death, fight, blood, flashback, friendship, danger, father son relationship, supernatural and fear. Genre: Drama, Adventure and Comedy. Country: New Zealand, USA and Canada.
Best New Zealand Movies
Best New Zealand Movies
TOP Movies: War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), What We Do in the Shadows (2014), Jojo Rabbit (2019), King Kong (2005), The Royal Treatment (2022), Happy Feet (2006), Braindead (1992), Boy (2010), Once Were Warriors (1994), M3GAN (2022), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), The Power of the Dog (2021), Housebound (2014), The Dark Horse (2014), What Dreams May Come (1998), Pearl (2022), The Last Samurai (2003), Deathgasm (2015).

List of Best Movies

Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Genre: Action, 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, atmospheric, breathtaking, captivating, exciting ...
Audience: teens, kids, family outing, chick flick, manly ...
Plot: sword fight, wizard, magic, magical, battles, creature, courage, monster, friendship, sword and sorcery, good versus evil, medieval ...
Time: year 2003, 2000s, prehistoric times, prehistory
Place: iran
Is relevant ?
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA
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, atmospheric, scenic, breathtaking, stylized ...
Audience: teens, kids, family outing, manly, girls' night ...
Plot: sword fight, friendship, fantasy world, wizard, sword and sorcery, magic, good versus evil, mythology, middle earth, magical, river, hobbit ...
Time: year 2001, future, 2000s, prehistory, prehistoric times
Place: new zealand, iran, detroit
Is relevant ?
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
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, captivating, futuristic, intense ...
Audience: kids
Plot: post apocalypse, ape, planet of the apes, gorilla, future war, talking animal, revenge, chimpanzee, animal, killer animal, near death experience, journey ...
Time: year 2017, 2010s, near future, future, 2040s
Is relevant ?
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Genre: Action, 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, exciting, captivating, dark fantasy ...
Audience: family outing, teens, kids, chick flick, manly ...
Plot: sword fight, wizard, magic, fantasy world, friendship, magical, monster, mission, creature, sword and sorcery, mythology, good versus evil ...
Time: 2000s, year 2002, prehistoric times, prehistory
Place: iran
Is relevant ?
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Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
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: funny, entertaining, humorous, hilarious, 3d animation ...
Audience: kids, family outing, family friendly, teens, pre-teens ...
Plot: jungle, hippopotamus, penguins, friendship, talking animal, animal, lion, zebra, friends, giraffe, chimpanzee, survival ...
Time: year 2008, 2000s, 21st century
Place: madagascar, new york, africa, manhattan new york city
Is relevant ?
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA
Duration: 161 min.
Story: The Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains, and Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back from the Dragon, Smaug.
Style: epic, breathtaking, heroic, entertaining, dark fantasy ...
Audience: family outing, teens, kids, chick flick, adult
Plot: dragon, fantasy world, magical, sword fight, sword and sorcery, magic, good versus evil, imaginary kingdom, creature, elf, warrior, wizard ...
Time: 2010s, year 2013
Is relevant ?
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 101 min.
Story: Ricky is a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to survive.
Style: funny, touching, feel good, humorous, scenic ...
Audience: kids, family friendly, teens, girls' night
Plot: coming of age, nature, adoption, wilderness, boy, hunting, juvenile delinquent, childhood, manhunt, dog, fat boy, countryside ...
Time: 2010s, year 2016
Place: new zealand, indiana, oceania, persia
Is relevant ?
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
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: wizard, fantasy world, sword and sorcery, sword fight, dragon, magical, creature, wizards and magicians, imaginary kingdom, mythology, ancient, imaginary ...
Time: year 2012, 2010s, future, prehistoric times, prehistory
Place: new zealand, seattle
Is relevant ?
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What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 86 min.
Story: Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.
Style: mockumentary, absurd, humorous, gothic, parody ...
Audience: family friendly, kids, teens, adult
Plot: vampire, dark humor, werewolf, friendship, supernatural, goth, blood, immortality, social misfits, roommate, zombie, found footage ...
Time: 2010s, year 2014, year 1912, year 1978, year 1997 ...
Place: new zealand, oceania, indiana
Is relevant ?
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
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, suspenseful, entertaining, serious ...
Audience: teens, family outing, kids, chick flick, adult
Plot: fantasy world, sword fight, battles, sword and sorcery, dragon, good versus evil, imaginary kingdom, knight, elf, wizards and magicians, middle earth, adventurer ...
Time: year 2014, 2010s, future
Is relevant ?
 7.9
 437K
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: Czech Republic, New Zealand, USA
Duration: 108 min.
Story: A World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, Jojo must ...
Style: sad, dark comedy, black comedy, funny, psychological ...
Audience: kids, teens, family friendly, adult
Plot: world war two, nazi, boy, satire, nazi germany, jewish girl, nazism, first love, hitler, violence, coming of age, hitler youth ...
Time: 1940s, year 1945, 2010s, year 2019, year 1944
Place: germany, los angeles, central europe
Is relevant ?
 7.2
 444K
King Kong (2005)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance
Country: USA, New Zealand, Germany
Duration: 187 min.
Story: In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with the leading lady.
Style: sentimental, scenic, suspense, emotional, epic ...
Audience: teens, girls' night, kids, manly, boys' night ...
Plot: creature, jungle, dinosaur, king kong, monster, beast, gorilla, giant ape, island, rescue, giant animal, monkey ...
Time: year 2005, 1930s, prehistoric times, jurassic, 20th century ...
Place: new york, empire state building manhattan new york city, fictional island, usa, manhattan new york city ...
Is relevant ?
The Royal Treatment (2022)
Genre: Comedy, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min.
Story: Isabella runs her own salon and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, while Prince Thomas runs his own country and is about to marry for duty rather than love. When Izzy and her fellow stylists get the opportunity of a lifetime to do the hair for the ...
Style: romantic, entertaining, feel good, satirical, semi serious ...
Audience: family outing
Plot: prince, couple relations, love and romance, crown prince, couples, wedding, love, changing lives, in love, hairdresser, love interest, wedding preparations and rituals ...
Time: 2020s
Is relevant ?
 6.4
 199K
Happy Feet (2006)
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, exciting, entertaining, touching, light ...
Audience: kids, family outing, family friendly, toddlers, girls' night ...
Plot: penguins, looking for love, snow, fish, environmental, exile, environment, goofy hero, life risking, danger, dancing, journey ...
Time: year 2006, 2000s
Place: antarctica, antarctic
Is relevant ?
 7.5
 103K
Braindead (1992)
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, splatter, dark comedy, humorous, surreal ...
Audience: teens
Plot: zombie, gory, monster, living dead, supernatural, macabre, infection, body horror, virus, cannibalism, monkey, zombie attack ...
Time: 90s, year 1992, 20th century, 50s, 1950s ...
Place: new zealand, oceania
Is relevant ?
 7.5
 29K
Boy (2010)
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, surreal, unusual plot structure, visually appealing ...
Plot: coming of age, childhood, absent father, youth, small town, daydreamer, family relations, father son relationship, mischievous children, parents and children, unsupportive parent, robbery ...
Time: 80s, year 2010, 2010s, year 1984, 20th century
Place: new zealand, oceania
Is relevant ?
Once Were Warriors (1994)
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: gang, children, dysfunctional family, relationships, child abuse, indigenous people, ghetto, violent, sexual abuse, redemption, working class, family relations ...
Time: 20th century, year 1994, 90s
Place: new zealand, oceania
Is relevant ?
 6.4
 140K
M3GAN (2022)
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: tense, captivating, slasher, splatter, dark ...
Audience: adult
Plot: artificial intelligence, doll, female robot, companion, moral dilemma, talking robot, robot, orphan, puppet, robot human relationship, sentient robot, female protagonist ...
Place: seattle, oregon, washington state, portland oregon
Is relevant ?
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, 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, captivating, exciting, suspense, disturbing ...
Plot: raccoon, team, mad scientist, animal testing, superhero, villain, outer space, tragic past, surrogate family, space travel, laboratory, animal abuse ...
Time: future, 2020s
Place: space western
Is relevant ?
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Genre: Drama, Western
Country: New Zealand, UK, Canada, Australia
Duration: 126 min.
Story: A domineering, magnetic rancher responds with mocking cruelty when his brother brings home a new wife and her son, until the unexpected comes to pass.
Style: psychological, mindfuck, costume drama, serious, disturbing ...
Audience: chick flick, adult
Plot: cowboy, mother son relationship, homosexuality, male full rear nudity, power relations, male nudity, brother brother relationship, animal cruelty, homosexual subtext, gay, brothers, alcoholic ...
Time: 2020s, 1920s, 20th century
Place: australia, montana
Is relevant ?
 6.7
 37K
Housebound (2014)
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery
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, suspense, suspenseful, horror comedy, disturbing ...
Audience: date night, teens
Plot: haunted house, house arrest, supernatural, female protagonist, plot twist, parents and children, ghost, police investigation, dark humor, blood, haunted, danger ...
Time: 2010s, 21st century
Place: new zealand, oceania
Is relevant ?
The Dark Horse (2014)
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, serious, captivating, emotional, depressing ...
Plot: chess, mental illness, compassion, friendship, uncle nephew relationship, underdog, brother brother relationship, boy, hopes, dedicated educator, contests and competitions, teenager ...
Time: 20th century, year 2016, future
Place: new zealand, oceania
Is relevant ?
What Dreams May Come (1998)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA, New Zealand
Duration: 113 min.
Story: Chris Neilson dies to find himself in a heaven more amazing than he could have ever dreamed of. There is one thing missing: his wife. After he dies, his wife, Annie killed herself and went to hell. Chris decides to risk eternity in hades for the ...
Style: surreal, philosophical, touching, inspirational, tear jerker ...
Audience: family friendly, teens, chick flick, teen drama
Plot: afterlife, heaven and hell, life & death, life philosophy, heaven, redemption, reincarnation, spirituality, love, hell, metaphysics, life after death ...
Time: 90s, 20th century
Place: cuba
Is relevant ?
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 7.0
 92K
Pearl (2022)
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada, New Zealand
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, disturbing, rough ...
Audience: adult
Plot: serial killer, female protagonist, farm, murder, mental illness, world war one, domineering mother, female serial killer, rural setting, murder confession, farmhouse, female nudity ...
Time: 1910s, 2020s, year 1918, 20th century
Place: texas, europe
Is relevant ?
The Last Samurai (2003)
Genre: Action, Drama
Country: USA, New Zealand, Japan
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, serious, exciting, captivating ...
Audience: girls' night, manly, adult
Plot: samurai, sword fight, military, battles, war, japanese history, courage, warrior, katana, self discovery, pride and honor, human spirit ...
Time: 19th century, year 2003, victorian era, 1800s, middle ages ...
Place: japan, asia, africa, san francisco, tokyo ...
Is relevant ?
 6.3
 19K
Deathgasm (2015)
Genre: Action, 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: satanic, splatter, dark comedy, horror comedy, atmospheric ...
Audience: teens
Plot: heavy metal, demon, supernatural, teenage boy, bullying, apocalypse, music, demonic possession, high school, high school student, hard rock, zombie ...
Place: new zealand, oceania
Is relevant ?
 6.9
 48K
Slow West (2015)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Thriller, Western
Country: UK, New Zealand
Duration: 84 min.
Story: In the Old West, a 17-year-old Scottish boy teams up with a mysterious gunman to find the woman with whom he is infatuated.
Style: suspenseful, road movie, atmospheric, stylized, serious ...
Plot: bounty hunter, solitude, unrequited love, gunfight, pursuit, coming of age, old west, death of father, complex characters, life & death, wilderness, modern west ...
Time: 19th century, year 2015, future
Place: usa, ireland, colorado
Is relevant ?
 7.9
 714K
District 9 (2009)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: South Africa, USA, New Zealand, Canada
Duration: 112 min.
Story: Aliens land in South Africa and, with their ship totally disabled, have no way home. Years later, after living in a slum and wearing out their welcome the 'Non-Humans' are being moved to a new tent city overseen by Multi-National United ...
Style: mockumentary, serious, suspense, biting, futuristic ...
Audience: chick flick, manly, boys' night, adult
Plot: alien, alien invasion, extraterrestrial, distopia, space and aliens, alien encounter, apocalypse, transformation, mutation, metamorphosis, refugee, society ...
Time: year 2009, future, 2000s, year 2000, year 1982 ...
Place: africa, south africa, johannesburg south africa
Is relevant ?
 6.7
 26K
Eagle vs Shark (2007)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 93 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: feel good, humorous, absurd, indie film, sentimental ...
Plot: love story, love, friendship, eagle, eccentricity, dark humor, loneliness, crazy, fall in love, love and romance, obsessive quest, looking for love ...
Time: year 2007
Place: new zealand, oceania
Is relevant ?
Coming Home in the Dark (2021)
Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller
Country: New Zealand
Duration: 93 min.
Story: A school teacher is forced to confront a brutal act from his past when a pair of ruthless drifters takes him and his family on a nightmare road-trip.
Style: suspense, psychological, tense, disturbing, suspenseful
Plot: hostage, abduction, kidnapping, robbery, captive, family in danger, teacher, struggle for survival, brutality, cruelty, spouse in danger, tragic past ...
Time: 2020s
Place: oceania, new zealand
Is relevant ?
Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
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