The 30 best movies from New Zealand

Ranked by weighted audience rating: among 53 movies with at least 300 votes on TMDb, the formula balances the score with the vote count, so a barely-rated title cannot leap past a classic. O Senhor dos Anéis: O Retorno do Rei leads, rated 8.4 (2003). The average release year on the list is 2007. The list is recalculated weekly; each title links to its full page, including where to watch in Brazil.

Page updated on 09/20/2026.

1

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

directed by Peter Jackson · 202 min · 8.5 27,275 votes
2

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

directed by Peter Jackson · 179 min · 8.4 28,290 votes
3

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

directed by Peter Jackson · 180 min · 8.4 24,515 votes
4

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

directed by Taika Waititi · 108 min · 8.0 10,657 votes
5

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

directed by Peter Jackson · 187 min · 7.6 14,537 votes
6

District 9 (2009)

directed by Neill Blomkamp · 112 min · 7.5 10,614 votes
7

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

directed by Peter Jackson · 183 min · 7.4 20,023 votes
8

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

directed by Taika Waititi · 86 min · 7.5 4,054 votes
9

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

directed by Taika Waititi · 101 min · 7.6 2,383 votes
10

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

directed by Peter Jackson · 165 min · 7.3 15,714 votes
11

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

directed by Roger Donaldson · 126 min · 7.7 922 votes
12

Braindead (1992)

directed by Peter Jackson · 104 min · 7.4 1,911 votes
13

The Piano (1993)

directed by Jane Campion · 121 min · 7.4 1,684 votes
14

They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

directed by Peter Jackson · 99 min · 7.8 695 votes
15

The Lovely Bones (2009)

directed by Peter Jackson · 136 min · 7.1 5,058 votes
16

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

directed by Lee Cronin · 96 min · 7.0 3,968 votes
17

Once Were Warriors (1994)

directed by Lee Tamahori · 99 min · 7.4 510 votes
18

King Kong (2005)

directed by Peter Jackson · 188 min · 6.9 8,703 votes
19

The Frighteners (1996)

directed by Peter Jackson · 110 min · 7.0 1,815 votes
20

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)

directed by Nagisa Ōshima · 124 min · 7.3 542 votes
21

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

directed by Steven Spielberg · 107 min · 6.9 5,954 votes
22

Boy (2010)

directed by Taika Waititi · 88 min · 7.3 508 votes
23

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

directed by Peter Jackson · 109 min · 7.0 1,061 votes
24

Tickled (2016)

directed by David Farrier · 91 min · 7.2 447 votes
25

Whale Rider (2003)

directed by Niki Caro · 101 min · 7.0 460 votes
26

The Power of the Dog (2021)

directed by Jane Campion · 125 min · 6.7 3,035 votes
27

Slow West (2015)

directed by John Maclean · 84 min · 6.7 1,079 votes
28

Return (2015)

directed by Ryan Heron · 15 min · 6.6 632 votes
29

The Quiet Earth (1985)

directed by Geoff Murphy · 91 min · 6.6 656 votes
30

The Warrior's Way (2010)

directed by Lee Seung-moo · 100 min · 6.6 693 votes