Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

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 211 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.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Peter Bradshaw Guardian Aug 6, 2026
4/5
It’s arguably the masterpiece of its writer-director Taika Waititi... bringing his distinctive irony, comedy and quirk, but wisely lets the story and performances do the real work Go to Full Review Kambole Campbell One Room With A View Aug 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 Jun 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 Matt Oakes Silver Screen Riot Oct 14, 2026
B+
A genuinely hilarious and emotionally engaging tale of a naughty foster child and his surrogate uncle who venture off into the bush. Sam Neill and Julian Dennison have uncommon comic chemistry while Waititi shows off some newfound directorial tricks. Go to Full Review Dulcie Pearce The Sun (UK) Aug 10, 2026
5/5
Directed by Taika Waititi, it’s still the best buddy movie since Up in 2009. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Jul 28, 2026
... this sweet, funny comedy is built on loss and sorrow and the need for family, and it never sacrifices one for the other. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
James Heng Jul 19, 2026 great movie! super fun. See more Adella R @RT09796743 Oct 10, 2026 ABSOLUTELY my favourite movie of ALL TIME. I don't know how many times I've watched it so far ... but I'll be back for more. There is just too much good stuff in this movie. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 21, 2026 Hunt for the Wilderpeople = a *5* star Movie! See more D M @Tivero Sep 21, 2026 Funny! Charming! Endearing! What more do you need to know. See more Kristine I @madeloncopper Aug 14, 2026 Thought this was due a rewatch due to Sam Neil’s passing and the 10 year anniversary of this film. Not as good as i remembered it being. Still enjoyable though mainly for the central performances being brilliant. See more Sam S @riverrunsthroughme Aug 2, 2026 Excellent, very Wes Anderson esq but warm hearted. See more Read all reviews
Hunt for the Wilderpeople

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Taika Waititi

Director

Sam Neill

Hec

Julian Dennison

Ricky

Rima Te Wiata

Bella

Rachel House

Paula

Rhys Darby

Psycho Sam

Movie Clips

View All

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

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

More Like This

View All
Wild Oats % 38% Wild Oats Watchlist Zoolander No. 2 21% 20% Zoolander No. 2 Watchlist TRAILER for Zoolander No. 2 Now You See Me 2 33% 53% Now You See Me 2 Watchlist TRAILER for Now You See Me 2 The Sasquatch Gang 50% 57% The Sasquatch Gang Watchlist Water 0% 70% Water Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Hunt for the Wilderpeople: US Release Trailer Hunt for the Wilderpeople: US Release Trailer 2:30 Now Playing View more videos
View All

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Poster Art Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) View more photos

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
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings