20 Best Movies on TVNZ
Have you been wondering what to watch on TVNZ outside New Zealand using a VPN? Well, you can leave the hunt to find good movies on TVNZ to us and just kick back and relax!
TVNZ is broadcast throughout New Zealand and the Pacific at the moment. The service carries movies and TV shows from different genres. We’ve enlisted the 20 best movies on TVNZ that you should definitely watch on the platform.
Best Movies on TVNZ to watch in 2022
Let’s take a look at the best movies on TVNZ to watch in 2022.
1. Whale Rider (2022)
Director: Niki Caro
Writer: Witi Ihimaera, Niki Caro
Cast: Vicky Haughton, Rawiri Paratene, Keisha Castle-Hughes
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Watch Whale Rider trailer on YouTube
Top on our list of Best Movies on TVNZ is Whale Riders. It is based on the novel by the same name. The film follows a twelve-year-old Maori girl called Kahu Paikea Apirana, who aspires to one day become the chief of her tribe.
However, her grandfather feels that this role is reserved for men only. The young girl fights back to find her footing within the tribe and overcome the obstacles to make her dream a reality. Also, watch Dune in New Zealand make your weekend enjoyable.
2. A Few Good Men (1992)
Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Watch A Few Good Men trailer on YouTube
The legal drama movie is based on Aaron Sorkin’s 1989 play, and it follows the court-martial of two U.S Marines who are accused of the murder of a fellow Marine.
3. Jerry Maguire (1996)
Director: Cameron Crowe
Writer: Cameron Crowe
Cast: Renee Zellweger, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tom Cruise
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Watch Jerry Maguire trailer on YouTube
Jerry Maguire is a romantic-comedy drama movie inspired by the life and career of a sports agent Leigh Steinberg during the 1993 NFL Free Agency.
It follows the sports agent as he navigates the corrupt world of sports after being fired for expressing his concerns. He decides to work as an independent agent and stay true to his philosophy.
The film stars Renee Zellweger, Tom Cruise, Regina King, and Cuba Gooding Jr. The movie also draws inspiration from a 28-page memo written by Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Also, check out our best TVNZ shows recommendation.
4. Hot Rod (2007)
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Writer: Pam Brady
Cast: Ian McShane, Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Watch Hot Rod trailer on YouTube
Hot Rod is a comedy film starring Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Sissy Spacek, and Will Arnett. The film follows Rod Kimble, a self-taught stuntman who is preparing for the grandest feat of his life – to collect money for a heart operation for his abusive stepfather Frank.
5. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Director: Sam Raimi
Writer: Steve Ditko, Alfred Gough, Stan Lee
Cast: Alfred Molina, Kirsten Dunst, Tobey Maguire
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Watch Spider-Man 2 trailer on YouTube
Spider-man 2 is based on the Marvel Comics and it serves as a sequel to the Spider-man that was released in 2002. The film is set two years following the events of the previous movie as Peter Parker now struggles to stop the genius, Dr.Otto Octavius, from going forth with a dangerous experiment.
The experiment goes south, killing the scientist’s wife and leaving him half human half robot, struggling to keep up with his dual identity. The film did phenomenally well, and it won the Best Visual Effects at the 77th Academy Awards, along with other accolades.
6. Café Society (2016)
Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Steve Carell, Kirsten Stewart
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Watch Cafe Society trailer on YouTube
The film follows a young man who moves to Hollywood in the 1930s, where he falls in love with his Uncle’s assistant, who happens to be a popular talent agent.
The romantic-comedy-drama movie is directed by the legendary Woody Allen and stars Kristen Stewart, Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Parker Poser, and more.
7. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Director: Len Wiseman
Writer: Len Wiseman, Danny McBride, Kevin Grevioux
Cast: Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Kate Beckinsale
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Watch Underground:Evolution trailer on YouTube
Underground: Evolution is a sequel to the hit movie Underworld and serves as a second installment to the Underworld franchise. The film follows a warrior vampire Selene and half human and the half werewolf Michael as they attempt to protect the Corvinus bloodline. Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman reprise their roles for the movie again.
8. 1408 (2007)
Director: Mikael Hafstrom
Writer: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, Matt Greenberg
Cast: Samuel L.Jackson, John Cusack, Mary McCormack
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Starring John Cusack, the film is based on a short story by Stephen King. It follows a cynical man, Mike Enslin, who decides to debunk the alleged haunted room 1408 in a New York City hotel.
Though he is wary and spectacle of the supposed paranormal activities within the room, once he’s trapped within the room, he too experiences strange occurrences.
9. Freedom Writers (2007)
Director: Richard LaGravense
Writer: Richard LaGravense, Erin Gruwell
Cast: Imelda Staunton, Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Watch Freedom Writers trailer on YouTube
Freedom Writers is based on the book by the same name by a school teacher called Erin Gruwell. Students in her classroom also helped shape the book by adding real diary entries about their daily life.
The film follows a young school teacher as she inspires and effectively helps change the lives of her turbulent students. The film was dedicated to Armand Jones, who starred in the film, soon after the shooting was over.
The young boy was only 18 when he was robbed at gunpoint and fatally shot in Denny’s restaurant.
10. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
Director: Michael Hoffman
Writer: William Shakespeare, Michael Hoffman
Cast: Rupert Everett, Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream trailer on YouTube
The 1999 film is an ode to the play by William Shakespeare. The comedy film features four lovers where the world of humans is interconnected with the world of magic.
Read Best Romantic Comedy Movies on Netflix for something similar.
11. City of Ember (2008)
Director: Gil Kenan
Writer: Jeanne Duprau, Caroline Thompson
Cast: Toby Jones, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Watch City Of Ember trailer on YouTube
The film follows the citizens of a vast underground city called Ember, where the people have been thriving for long. The city is sustained by a massive generator built to last for only 200 years, and it seems as though now its time is up.
As the generator falters, the lights begin to slowly fade, and two young adults decide to investigate and take matters into their own hands to restore the harmony of the city.
Also, you can watch our recommended shows on TVNZ.
12. Before Midnight (2013)
Director: Richard Linklater
Writer: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater
Cast: Julie Delpy, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Ethan Hawke
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Watch Before Midnight trailer on YouTube
The film follows Celine and Jesse, two lovers who have spent the past two decades of their life together. They are spending the last few days of the summer in Greece with their two children. Watch more rom-com movies on Sling TV.
13. Loving (2016)
Director: Jeff Nichols
Writer: Jeff Nichols, Nancy Buirski
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton, Ruth Negga
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Watch Loving trailer on YouTube
Loving follows the love story of Mildred and Richard, an interracial couple who were arrested for their marriage in the 1960s. The arrest set forth a series of events that would eventually lead to a legal battle and the historic decision by the Supreme Court in 1967 that changed the face of the world, especially for African-American folk.
The film is inspired by the documentary ‘The Loving Story’ by Nancy Buirski. Also, check out some of the popular movies on Netflix in NZ.
14. Mean Creek (2004)
Director: Jacob Estes
Writer: Jacob Estes
Cast: Ryan Kelley, Rory Culkin, Scott Mechlowicz
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Watch Mean Creek trailer on YouTube
Mean Creek is a psychological drama film about a group of teenagers who hatch a plan to take revenge on a bully during their boating trip. Once they execute their plan, they realize that they’ve taken it too far and now have to face unprecedented consequences.
15. Pixels (2015)
Director: Chris Columbus
Writer: Timothy Dowling, Tim Herlihy, Patrick Jean
Cast: Kevin James, Adam Sandler, Michelle Monaghan
IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
Watch Pixels trailer on YouTube
Pexels stars Adam Sandler as a former arcade champion employed by the US government to help fight off aliens who declare war on Earth by means of video games. They use technology inspired by 1980s games like Galaga, Pac-Man, Space Invaders and more.
16. The Replacement Killers (1998)
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writer: Ken Sanzel
Cast: Mira Sorvino, Micheal Rooker, Chow Yun-Fat
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
Watch The Replacement Killers trailer on YouTube
The Replacement Killers is an action film starring Chow-Yun-fat in the lead role for his first international debut. The film follows the lead protagonist as he is forced to settle the personal grudge of his ruthless boss.
Set in modern-day Los Angeles, the hitman wants to go back to China; however, his boss has other plans in mind. The film has a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
17. Grown Ups (2010)
Director: Dennis Dugan
Writer: Adam Sandler, Fred Wolf
Cast: Salma Hayek, Adam Sandler, Kevin James
IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Watch Grown Ups trailer on YouTube
Grown-Ups is a hilarious comedy film that follows five friends who reunite after almost three decades on learning about the demise of their favorite basketball coach. Though the occasion is somber, hilarious events take place that makes the weekend unforgettable for all of them.
The film stars Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Kevin James, and more.
If you would like more comedy movie recommendations, check out Best Comedy Movies to Watch in 2022
18. Kemper on Kemper: Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer
Director: Matthew Watts
Writer: Matthew Watts
Cast: John Douglas, Gary Paul Bowman, Kevin Convery
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Watch Kemper on Kemper: Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer trailer on YouTube
This chilling documentary is a look into the mind of Ed Kemper, a serial killer who murdered 10 people, including his mother. It features intimate interviews with Ed, led by former FBI agent John Douglas.
19. Galaxy Quest
Director: Dean Parisot
Writer: David Howard, Robert Gordon
Cast: Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Tim Allen
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Watch Galaxy Quest trailer on YouTube
Galaxy Quest is a parody of sorts, as an aging cast of a space opera tv series has to reprise their roles in reality aboard an actual alien spaceship. Not only do they have to save Earth, but they also have to save the aliens from an evil reptile warlord.
20. American Gigolo (1980)
Director: Paul Schrader
Writer: Paul Schrader
Cast: Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo, Bill Duke
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Watch American Gigolo trailer on YouTube
The film follows a high-profile Gigolo who lives an emotionally detached yet lavish lifestyle. One night, he’s assigned to the task of pleasing a couple. However, he quickly leaves their premises as their requests make him uncomfortable. Hours later, the wife is found dead, and he finds himself the prime suspect in the murder.
Final Thoughts
For Kiwis down under, there are enough best movies on TVNZ even to satiate the appetite of the biggest movie buffs. If you want to know more about TVNZ, read our TVNZ review.
However, if you do not like our best movies on TVNZ recommendations, feel free to switch to any other streaming services in NZ or get US Netflix in NZ to access a much more extensive movie library.
Do share your thoughts about the best movie on our list of 20 best movies on TVNZ. And what you would like to add to it.