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Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Play trailer 2:30 Poster for Hunt for the Wilderpeople PG-13 2016 1h 41m Comedy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 208 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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Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

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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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Critics Reviews

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Kambole Campbell One Room With A View 08/25/2018
4/5
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. Go to Full Review
Angie Han Slashfilm 06/13/2017
8/10
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. Go to Full Review
Richard Brody The New Yorker 12/29/2016
Gentle and appealing performances can't rescue this facile and cloying comedy. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson 10/18/2024
4/5
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. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast 03/26/2024
4/5
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 Go to Full Review
Jennifer Bisset CNET 04/20/2023
The balance between humanity and comedy is what Taika Waititi does best. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Tyrant Boi D Oct 28 Its pretty good. I would recommend it. See more Howard F Sep 20 The on-screen relationship between Julian Dennison's and Sam Neil's characters defines this NZ production. Funny ehile touching, set amongst the very dramatic bush scenery of the North Island. Recommended for a lightweight night in. See more caleb n Aug 24 A thoroughly great, funny storyline with cleaver writing and script to create the perfect mix of comedy and action. See more Vince C Jul 22 Fantastic acting and storyline. The tension in their relationship is clear, but how their eventual bonding is portrayed is so well done. This kid is hilarious and Sam Neill is always a great addition. See more Kafe R Jun 28 Started off great and i was really enjoying it - then it just fell off a cliff. Like they all suddenly lost interest See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 7 Success in 1 hour and 41 minutes!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Some Language and Violent Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Australian English with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Hunt for the Wilderpeople

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Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Hunting for Food Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Hunting for Food 0:55 Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Raised by Wolves Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Raised by Wolves 1:04 Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Famous Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Movie Clip - Famous 0:53 Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Trailer 1 Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Trailer 1 2:34 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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