5 iconic movies you didn’t know were filmed in New Zealand

New Zealand often pulls in movie buffs, most notably those seeking to find ‘Middle Earth’ after it provided the iconic backdrop to the award-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Thanks to Amazon TV, a new series The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power has brought a new lease of life to the world of hobbits and dragons. But there’s plenty more iconic filming locations around the country to explore, many of which are still unknown to viewers. Here, we pick five fantastic movies you probably had no idea were filmed in New Zealand and tell you where exactly the scenes were captured.

Benedict Cumberbatch starred in the Power of the Dog (Netflix/Courtesy of Tourism New Zealand)

Nominated for no less than 12 Oscars, Netflix’s The Power of the Dog starring Benedict Cumberbatch is set in 1925 in rural Montana, USA. It has a classic American western feel with its mountain landscape and open dusty plains. However, the actual filming location was in the Central Otago region on New Zealand’s South Island.

The Kiwi director, Jane Campion, had planned to shoot in the US, but changed her mind after being won over by this vast, remote farm location in Ida Valley.

Those who visit can actually stay in Hawkdun Range, the perfect midway stop for those walking or cycling the 150-kilometer Central Otago Rail Trail.

Other locations on New Zealand’s South Island that made small cameos in the film include Dunedin, Oamaru and Queenstown.

Stirling Falls at Milford Sound featured in the movie (Shutterstock)

The 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine shot Hugh Jackman to fame as a Marvel comic superhero. There are various filming locations around the world which featured in the hit movie, but some of the most rugged and beautiful scenes were captured on New Zealand’s South Island, in areas such as Fiordland and Otago.

Stirling Falls, Milford Sound’s second tallest waterfall made an appearance in the film, as did Deer Park Heights in Queenstown (also recognisable from The Lord of the Rings). The deer farm closed to the public for 11 years but finally reopened in 2020, so visitors can now book onto scenic drives and witness some of the best views in New Zealand.

Don’t forget a trip to Paradise – yes, a real place – set within the Southern Lakes Region and starred as the backdrop of the heart-stopping helicopter fight scene.

King Kong has scenes filmed in Wellington (Shutterstock)

There have been many variations of King Kong. However, Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson was responsible for the successful 2005 remake, starring Jack Black and showcasing many locations in New Zealand.

The fictional ‘Skull Island’ had scenes featured at Shelley Bay on the Miramar Peninsula and the popular surfing beach Lyall Bay – the latter is where the dinosaur running scene took place.

It was actually director Jackson’s hometown of Wellington which transported audiences back to 1930s New York. Seaview in Lower Hutt built replicas of Times Square, Broadway and a Macy’s Department Store. That said, walking through Wellington still feels as if you’re on the set of the movie.

Finally, the Auckland Civic Theatre interior also made an appearance, disguised as the New York Theatre. The 1929 arts venue is still used today for performances.

Rees Valley in New Zealand (Shutterstock)

Tom Cruise’s brings his arguable most iconic role as Ethan Hunt to New Zealand for the sixth instalment of Mission Impossible. Not every scene is shot here, but Milford Sound, Queenstown and Lake Wanaka do all get some airtime, and it’s certainly action-packed.

When Tom and other characters are having a fight in the helicopter (yikes), the New Zealand’s Southern Alps provide a blissful backdrop, if you can manage to peep behind all the chaos.

With scenes built to replicate Iraq, both Nevis Valley and Rees Valley in the Otago region also featured in the film. The latter can be found in Mount Aspiring National Park, one of New Zealand’s most picturesque spots for hiking. Those up for the challenge should try the 76km Rees-Dart Track circuit.

Psst, Did you know The Last Samurai, also starring Tom Cruise, was again shot in New Zealand!

Cathedral Cove featured in the second Chronicles of Narnia film (Shutterstock)

Based on the books by C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia is a much-loved fantasy trilogy following children around the world of mystical land of Narnia. Spoiler alert: much of Narnia is actually New Zealand, with filming locations in Canterbury, Glenorchy and Waitaki.

Probably the most famous backdrop in the second film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is when the children come across the ruins of Cair Paravel. This is shot at Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) on the Coromandel Peninsula, a marine reserve with a stunning beach and rock formations.

The three-tiered waterfall of Purakanui in The Catlins also makes an appearance behind the computer-generated Cair Paravel castle. An easy 20-minute walking track leads you to this well-known site.

In the first film The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the final battle scene was filmed at Flock Hill, along the Great Alpine Highway, showcasing some of New Zealand’s most beautiful, untouched landscapes and incredible wilderness.