Whale Rider poster

Whale Rider

In the ways of the ancients she found a hope for the future.

7.0(467)20031h 41m5

A contemporary story of love, rejection, and triumph as a young Māori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.

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Status
Released
Budget
$8M
Box office
$41.4M
Language
Maori
  • diving
  • becoming an adult
  • grandparent grandchild relationship
  • tradition
  • loss of loved one
  • ocean
  • whale
  • empowerment
  • new zealand
  • maori tradition
  • chief
  • modern society

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Director

Niki Caro

Writers

Niki Caro

Produced in

Germany, New Zealand

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereSundance Film Festival18 Jan 2003
    • PremiereTribeca Film Festival7 May 2003
    • Theatrical (limited)PG-136 Jun 2003
    • TheatricalPG-1329 Aug 2003
  • United KingdomGB

    • TheatricalPG20 Feb 2003
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalPG8 May 2003
  • CanadaCA

    • Premiere14AToronto International Film Festival9 Sept 2002
  • CzechiaCZ

    • TheatricalU19 Feb 2004
  • FinlandFI

    • PremiereHelsinki International Film Festival21 Sept 2003
    • TheatricalK-1224 Oct 2003
  • FranceFR

    • TheatricalU24 Aug 2003
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical (limited)625 Jul 2003
  • IrelandIE

    • Digital / OTTPG11 Jul 2003
  • ItalyIT

    • Theatrical21 Nov 2003
  • JapanJP

    • Digital / OTTPG1213 Sept 2003
  • MexicoMX

    • Theatrical (limited)16 Jul 2004

Frequently asked questions

Whale Rider was released on 30 January 2003.

Audience reviews

1
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    2/13/2026

    7/10

    In a cinematic world where tens of millions can be dropped on big names, endless CGI and mediocre writing it’s nice to come across something that strips back the story and the characterisations to something more natural. This is one such film. The Whangara people have lived their way, in their community, since long before New Zealand came into being as a nation and all based on the legend of “Paikea” and his chieftai…

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