New Zealand has quite a connection to film. Not only has the country produced some top talents in the realm of acting and directing, but many of the most spectacular films of the past two decades have been filmed in New Zealand. The most notable example is The Lord of the Rings franchise, all of which was filmed in New Zealand, and directed by Kiwi director, Peter Jackson.
Knowing that the country’s connection to film is so deep may get some people wondering, what are the most beloved films in New Zealand, at least of this past year? The good news is that we have an easy way to tell what movie was most successful in the country in 2024. We need only look at the country’s box office hits, and come up with a list.
Dune: Part Two
The science fiction genre is often attributed to Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” However, when most people think of sci-fi, they think of the wonders of outer space, intergalactic ships roaming the stars, and alien forces clashing with humanity. Though that kind of fiction began with H.G. Wells, it truly developed in the early-to-mid 20th century. And Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” was, by far, the most celebrated novel of its era.
Today, science fiction is bigger than ever. The success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, and even animated shows like Rick and Morty, has propelled the genre to new heights. The online gaming industry is also not devoid of sci-fi games. Not only are big-budget titles like Mass Effect and Fallout successful, but even online casinos are getting a taste. Those who want to play all the best pokies at Casinos.com will have no trouble finding sci-fi-themed games.
With the overwhelming success of science fiction, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that Dune: Part Two was a huge hit in the box office, not just worldwide, but also in New Zealand. The gorgeous, desert landscapes, the majestic music by industry veteran, Hans Zimmer, coupled with the epic story of Paul Atreides’ ascension to the throne of Dune left millions of fans worldwide stunned. Few believed that Denis Villeneuve could outdo his original film, but the sequel blew everybody away.
Fighter
The success of Hollywood is not news to anybody. Global pop culture is all but dominated by American films, made in English. The reason is simple; Hollywood is capable of producing a lot more commercialized content than any other film industry, because they have the most money. However, recently, the Indian film industry has been growing a lot more popular, and we may just begin to see Indian films rival their American counterparts.
Like Fighter, the 2024 action thriller, starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor. The big budget blockbuster took a three years to complete and was filmed on location at several Indian cities, including Assam, Hyderabad, Jammu, and more. The plot revolves around a crack team of soldiers working for the Srinagar Air Force, who are tasked with preventing a terrorist plot from destroying the whole country.
Fighter is an action film, in the style of 80s guns and muscle movies. A keen eye will, undoubtedly, detect inspiration from Rambo, Predator, Commando, and of course, the holy grail of action films, Die Hard. Anyone who has any love or passion from the action films produced in the 80s owes it to themselves to give this 2024 spectacle a shot. New Zealand’s residents certainly agree, as Fighter was the fourth best-performing film in the country in 2024.
Wonka
Timothee Chalamet returns on the list, however, this time he is not in the role of an intergalactic savior, but rather a candy-making genius. The original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is an all-time classic, beloved by children and adults to this day. The 2000s remake, while splitting most people’s opinions, still has a cult following, and many consider it an underrated gem from the era. But, have you ever wondered how Willy Wonka became the amazing chocolatier that he is?
Paul King and Simon Farnaby answer that question in 2023’s Wonka, an origin story for one of the most beloved characters in children’s film and literature. Timothee Chalamet performers admirably in the role, though he certainly has big shoes to fill. After all, who could possibly have competed with Gene Wilder’s iconic performance? The film, however, is not all about Wonka. An ensemble cast including Matt Lucas, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, and Rowan Atkinson are there to bolster the film.
It was the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2023, and it would appear that Kiwis loved it immensely. The film came in second in the 2024 New Zealand box office. Which begs the question; who could have possibly outdone Mr. Wonka?
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
The final film in what has come to be known as “the Snyderverse,” topped the box office in New Zealand this year. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the long-awaited sequel to the original film, starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Dolph Lundgren, and Nicole Kidman. The movie follows Aquaman, who now faces an even greater threat than the dastardly Ocean Master. In fact, the threat is so great, that Arthur has to team up with his nefarious brother in order to stop it.
The film’s inspiration comes mainly from the Silver Age of Comic Books, an era where comics were under the thumb of “Comics Code.” Due to this code, stories had to stray away from topics deemed “too dangerous,” and often relied more on comedy and absurdism, rather than serious storytelling. However, The Lost Kingdom flips the era on its head, tackling some important themes and topics, while still retaining a light and positive demeanor.
Unfortunately, the film did not receive a positive response. It was critically panned, and widely disliked. However, it appears that the residents of New Zealand disagreed with the world at large. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was the highest-grossing film of 2024 in the country, so director James Wan must have done something right.
