Hunt for the Wilderpeople

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2:30

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

PG-13

Released Jun 24, 2016

1h 41m

Comedy

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

209 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A boy (Julian Dennison) and his foster father (Sam Neill) become the subjects of a manhunt after they get stranded in the New Zealand wilderness.

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Critics Consensus

The charmingly offbeat Hunt for the Wilderpeople unites a solid cast, a talented filmmaker, and a poignant, funny, deeply affecting message.

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Kambole Campbell

One Room With A View

Hunt for the Wilderpeople transforms a fairly unremarkable tale of adoption into a wild and wonderful fantasy, yet again proving that New Zealand may as well just be Middle Earth.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 25, 2018

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Angie Han

Slashfilm

It has all the makings of a new childhood classic: it's got wonder and adventure and loads of humor, and ultimately winds up on the side of optimism - but it also has moments of genuine tragedy and danger.

Rated: 8/10

Jun 13, 2017

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Gentle and appealing performances can't rescue this facile and cloying comedy.

Dec 29, 2016

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Broken into ten cheeky episodic chapters and boasting beautiful natural beauty, you will find a fun experience that may feel familiar, yet is wholly unique.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 18, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

Waititi's long-in-development adaptation of the Crump's classic has a style and wit all of its own. Neill is delightfully grumpy, but it is Dennison who steals the show. The over the top buffoonery of the final chase is a bit much, though

Rated: 4/5

Mar 26, 2024

Full Review

Jennifer Bisset

CNET

The balance between humanity and comedy is what Taika Waititi does best.

Apr 20, 2023

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Kafe R

Started off great and i was really enjoying it - then it just fell off a cliff. Like they all suddenly lost interest

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 41 minutes!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Some Language and Violent Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Australian English with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Nick R

Hilarious and heartfelt.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/02/25

Full Review

Andrew M

This is one of the best acted movies ever. It deals with taboo subjects with aplomb. Seeing it a second speeds in the understanding. Spoiler alert! The aunt in the spend an only a few minutes in the movie but casts a spell though out the world show. The dog named TupacThe rapper, is too much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

Full Review

Brad S. R

Very entertaining and occasionally moving, but the pieces should've amounted to more than they did.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

Vitor O

It's a charming, affectionate and funny film in equal measure, with great performances from Sam Neill and Julian Dennison in the lead roles. Here, Taika Waititi's style is on full display.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/19/25

Full Review

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Taika Waititi

Director

Sam Neill

Hec

Julian Dennison

Ricky

Rima Te Wiata

Bella

Rachel House

Paula

Rhys Darby

Psycho Sam

Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Hunting for Food

0:55

Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Raised by Wolves

1:04

Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Famous

0:53

Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Trailer 1

2:34

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Hunt for the Wilderpeople: US Release Trailer

2:30

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Synopsis

A boy (Julian Dennison) and his foster father (Sam Neill) become the subjects of a manhunt after they get stranded in the New Zealand wilderness.

Director: Taika Waititi
Producer: Carthew Neal, Leanne Saunders, Taika Waititi, Matt Noonan
Screenwriter: Taika Waititi
Distributor: The Orchard
Production Co: Defender Films, Piki Films
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Language|Violent Content)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.2M
Runtime: 1h 41m

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