Discover the best of New Zealand cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from New Zealand. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of New Zealand
New Zealand cinema is a world of breathtaking myth-making and wonderfully quirky heart, a film culture that famously turned its stunning landscapes into a global fantasy epic. The nation became the undisputed centre of the blockbuster world with Peter Jackson’s monumental The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This staggering achievement didn't just put beautiful scenery on screen; it showcased a level of technical and artistic wizardry from its 'Wellywood' hub that reshaped fantasy filmmaking forever. But to only know the epic is to miss the wonderfully strange and soulful 'Kiwi' spirit. This is the home of the heartfelt, deadpan humour of Taika Waititi, who has charmed the world with films like Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It's the home of Jane Campion's profound, Oscar-winning artistry, and the raw power of films like Once Were Warriors. It also launched the brilliant musical comedy of Flight of the Conchords, a global cult sensation. What truly defines its cinema, however, is the powerful rise of Māori storytelling. Beautiful films like Whale Rider have given an international platform to indigenous voices with immense grace and power. It's this incredible blend of grand spectacle and intimate, unique character that makes New Zealand cinema a giant of the art form.
Best New Zealand series
The Beatles: Get Back 2021
The three-part documentary series, compiled from over 60 hours of unseen footage, captures the warmth, camaraderie, and creative genius that defined the legacy of music's most iconic foursome. The series also includes – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles' final performance at London's Savile Row.
Disney+85
Dark Tourist 2018
The definition of "tourism" is redefined as New Zealand filmmaker David Farrier sets his sights on the world of dark tourism. From nuclear tourism in Japan to Pablo Escobar-inspired tourism in Columbia to frontier tourism in Turkmenistan, David visits the world’s grisly and offbeat destinations, meeting travelers drawn to them, and the people telling these stories day after day.
Netflix71
Wellington Paranormal 2018
New Zealand's capital is a hotbed of supernatural activity... so Officers Minogue and O'Leary, who featured in the vampire documentary What We Do In The Shadows, take to the streets to investigate all manner of paranormal phenomena.
TVNZ 273
The New Legends of Monkey 2018
Follow a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a perilous journey as they attempt to bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance to their world. Inspired by the 16th Century Chinese fable “Journey to the West.”
TVNZ 164
The Almighty Johnsons 2011
The four Johnson brothers have inherited the powers of the Norse gods. Because the gods lived eons ago, however, time has diluted the powers. The unique ability that each brother possesses isn't very strong, and they still have the same desires and faults that mortals do. Their lives include sibling rivalry, trying to get girls, and hanging out; but they also want to be stronger, and so they embark on a quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy in hope of gaining the full strength of their abilities.
TV378
Cleverman 2016
In the near future, creatures from ancient Aboriginal mythology endowed with extraordinary physical traits have emerged and must coexist with humans. Known as 'Hairypeople' they battle for survival in a world that wants to exploit and destroy them. One young man – The Cleverman – struggles with his own power and the responsibility to unite this divided world, but he must first overcome a deep estrangement from his older brother.
ABC64
Best New Zealand movies
What We Do in the Shadows 2014
Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.
77
The Power of the Dog 2021
A domineering but charismatic rancher wages a war of intimidation on his brother's new wife and her teen son, until long-hidden secrets come to light.
66
The Frighteners 1996
Once an architect, Frank Bannister now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent.
72
Braindead 1992
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.
75
Shadow in the Cloud 2021
A WWII pilot traveling with top secret documents on a B-17 Flying Fortress encounters an evil presence on board the flight.
57
Slow West 2015
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.
67