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Whale Rider

Play trailer Poster for Whale Rider PG-13 2003 1h 41m Kids & Family Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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Whale Rider

Whale Rider

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 29, 2010
4/5
Excellent to watch and discuss as a family. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey Variety Jul 22, 2008
Newcomer Castle-Hughes' unaffected, confident turn makes it credible our heroine might retain her determination and self-worth despite serial setbacks. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek Nov 1, 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. Go to Full Review Nadine Whitney The Curb Jun 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. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast Mar 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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Oct 30, 2021
3/4
Keisha Castle-Hughes deservedly earned a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her startling film debut. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Hannah H @RT91043631 May 15, 2026 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. See more Hulkhobbes T @Hulkhobbes May 11, 2026 Terrible move. Awful acting, no emotion. No character development. No arcs. No plot. DO NOT WATCH. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Jan 18, 2026 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. See more Pepi A @RT81179499 Nov 29, 2025 One of the best movies I've ever seen. Saw it more than once in the theater when it came out. See more Curt B @RT97750991 Jul 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 See more Gerard M @GermWald Aug 25, 2024 Not understanding Maori culture, it leaves me lost about what's going on plus it fails to capture my interest. NO See more Read all reviews
Whale Rider

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Cast & Crew

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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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Whale Rider

A scene from Niki Caro's WHALE RIDER. Rawiri Paratene as "Koro" Keisha Castle-Hughes as "Paikea" in Niki Caro's WHALE RIDER. Keisha Castle-Hughes as "Paikea" in Niki Caro's WHALE RIDER. Cliff Curtis as "Porourangi" in Niki Caro's WHALE RIDER . WHALE RIDER director Niki Caro. Whale Rider (2002) Whale Rider (2002) Whale Rider (2002) View more photos

Movie Info

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)
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