Whale Rider poster

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Streaming data from JustWatch

Whale Rider

2002 · Movie · 101 min
B

MEANRANK

78/100

Averaged across 9 ratings · 130.7K votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 29 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

68–91 out of 100

Mostly agreed

Lowest is Metacritic users on 68, highest is Rotten Tomatoes critics on 91.

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

Details

Director
Niki Caro
Writer
Niki Caro
Based on
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Released
30 January 2003
Country
Germany, New Zealand
Language
English, Maori
Runtime
101 min
Rated
PG-13
Budget
$8.0M
Box office
$41.4M
Awards
3 wins, 2 nominations

This title elsewhere

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Paikea Apirana

Vicky Haughton

Vicky Haughton

Nanny Flowers

Cliff Curtis

Cliff Curtis

Porourangi

Grant Roa

Grant Roa

Uncle Rawiri

Rachel House

Rachel House

Shilo

Awards & nominations

See all 5 →

2 major awards won · 3 wins from 5 nominations across 5 ceremonies

BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film 2003 BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film Winner
Sundance World Cinema Audience Award 2003 Sundance World Cinema Audience Award Winner
76th Academy Awards 2004 Best Actress Keisha Castle-Hughes Nominee
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award 2003 Best Family Film Nominee
CICFF Children's Jury Award 2003 Best Live-Action Feature Film Winner

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.