10 Best Kiwi Movies Of All Time

We all love a great movie and New Zealand filmmakers have produced some fantastic movies over the years (plus some shockers). Here at Godzown we've put together some of our favourites. Have we missed any good ones?

Once Were Warriors (1994)

Once Were Warriors is a 1994 New Zealand drama film based on New Zealand's author Alan Duffs bestselling 1990 first novel. The film tells the story of the Hekes, an urban Maori family, and their problems with poverty, alcoholism, and domestic family violence mostly brought on by the patriarch Jake The Muss. The film was directed by Lee Tamahori and stars Rena Own, Temuera Morrison and Cliff Curtis. A roar and emotional movie for all Kiwis.

Boy(2010)

Brilliant Kiwi movie starring James Rolleston as an 11 year old boy growing up in The Bay of Plenty Region with his grandma, brother Rocky and several younger cousins. It's easy to see why this movie went onto become one of New Zealand's highest grossing movies at the Box Office. Written and Directed by Taika Waititi.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople(2016)

Based on the book Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump this 2016 movie starring Sam Neill and Julian Dennison is hilarious and heartwarming. It's easily become a cult classic not just for Kiwis but for worldwide audiences. If you haven't already seen this then what are you waiting for.

Lord Of The Rings 

The Lord of the Rings is a film series of three epic fantasy adventure films directed by Peter Jackson, based on the novel The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. This film basically catapulted little old New Zealand into the spotlight. Tourists from all over the world are still coming to Hobbiton.

The World's Fastest Indian(2005)

In The World's Fastest Indian, Anthony Hopkins plays the true story of New Zealander Burt Munro, a man who never let the dreams of youth fade. After a lifetime perfecting his classic 1920 Indian motorcycle, Munro sets off from New Zealand to test his bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The Piano(1993)

Written and Directed by New Zealander Jane Campion and filmed on the rugged West Coast Beach of Karekare 40 minutes out of Auckland this poetic masterpiece is truly a special movie. Starring Holly Hunter (who is mute), Anna Paquin, Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill. Paquin was 11 years old at the time and is the second youngest actor to win an Oscar in a competitive category.

Goodbye Pork Pie

Goodbye Pork Pie is a 1981 New Zealand film directed by Geoff Murphy, co-produced by Murphy and Nigel Hutchinson, and written by Geoff Murphy and Ian Mune. The film was New Zealand's first large-scale local hit.

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Brilliant coming of age movie Directed by Peter Jackson.

Wealthy and precocious teenager Juliet (Kate Winslet) transfers from England to Christchurch, New Zealand, with her family, and forms a bond with the quiet, brooding Pauline (Melanie Lynskey) through their shared love of handsome big screen tenor Mario Lanza and games of make believe. But when their parents begin to suspect that their increasingly intense friendship is becoming unhealthy, the girls decide to run away to America, hatching a dark plan for those who threaten to keep them apart.

King Kong (2005)

Peter Jackson's expansive remake of the 1933 classic follows director Carl Denham (Jack Black) and his crew on a journey from New York City to the ominous Skull Island to film a new movie. Accompanying him are playwright Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) and actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts). 

Bad Taste (1987) 

A kiwi cult classic.

Bad Taste is a 1987 science-fiction comedy horror splatter film directed, written, produced, photographed and co-edited by and co-starring Peter Jackson, who also made most of the makeup and special effects. Produced on a very low budget, it is Jackson's first feature film. Jackson and friends take on most of the key roles, both on and off-screen. The plotline sees aliens invade the fictional New Zealand village of Kaihoro to harvest humans for their intergalactic fast food franchise, where they face off against a four-man paramilitary force, of which at least one member appears to have gone insane. It was a film that provided Jackson with the necessary leverage needed to advance in the industry.

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