Whale Rider

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Whale Rider

PG-13

2003

1h 41m

Kids & Family

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

156 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. However, his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene).

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Critics Consensus

An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/29/2010

4/5

Excellent to watch and discuss as a family.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

07/22/2008

Newcomer Castle-Hughes' unaffected, confident turn makes it credible our heroine might retain her determination and self-worth despite serial setbacks.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

11/01/2007

The filmmaker knows how to seduce an audience without making it feel had. When a movie's this likable, it would take a very tough crowd not to be pleased.

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Nadine Whitney

The Curb

06/28/2024

A

Few coming-of-age stories blend so seamlessly indigenous identity through spiritual belief and balance the reality of a world where such belief has been devalued.

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Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

03/12/2024

A fairly standard coming of age tale that features a solid performance from Castle-Hughes. Despite being a nearly 1-to-1 adaptation, however, the film is missing the spirit (and spiritualism) of the source material.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

10/30/2021

3/4

Keisha Castle-Hughes deservedly earned a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her startling film debut.

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Owen Z

@owen123 Jun 25

It will be great if it has: different director, different CGI, different artists, different music, different script and different acting.

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Hannah H

@RT91043631 May 15

I really enjoyed this movie. Cried like a baby. It really seemed to honor the cultures strengths and weaknesses. Very feminist but in such a real way. I enjoyed the script a lot, and the actors. My only complaint is that some of the whale shots could have been cooler, but it was very artistic. I would watch it again honestly. Very empowering but in a humble quiet way.

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Hulkhobbes T

@Hulkhobbes May 11

Terrible move. Awful acting, no emotion. No character development. No arcs. No plot. DO NOT WATCH.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Jan 18

A girl is born into a family of jerks, her grandad is chief jerk but for some reason she spends her life tragically trying to gain his acceptance. This is a sad film about misogyny. Watched on DVD.

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Pepi A

@RT81179499 Nov 29

One of the best movies I've ever seen. Saw it more than once in the theater when it came out.

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Curt B

@RT97750991 07/12/2025

Incredible story against the backdrop of Maori culture. An incredibly moving film that speaks on multiple levels. The story is wonderful and the movie oozes authenticity. Puts Hollywood movies to shame with a genuine, heartfelt film. May not resonate with everyone, but for me it was amazing. I finished it an hour ago and still caught by random sobs. Excellent

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Niki Caro

Director

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Paikea "Pai" Apirana

Rawiri Paratene

Koro Apirana

Vicky Haughton

Nanny Flowers Apirana

Cliff Curtis

Porourangi Apirana

Grant Roa

Uncle Rawiri Apirana

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Synopsis

Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. However, his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene).

Director: Niki Caro
Producer: John Barnett, Frank Hübner, Tim Sanders
Distributor: Newmarket Film Group
Production Co: Pandora, South Pacific Pictures, ApolloMedia
Rating: PG-13 (Momentary Drug Reference|Brief Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 31, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.8M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)