New Zealand’s diverse and dramatic landscapes are a major drawcard for filmmakers, including the country's own Peter Jackson, who filmed both the billion-dollar box office hits The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies entirely in New Zealand.

New Zealand was also the inspiration for the computer-generated world of Avatar. Many distinctly New Zealand stories have been told on film: Whale Rider is a haunting tale of Māori culture and myth, while The World’s Fastest Indian tells the story of Southland motorcycle legend Burt Munro. Taika Waititi’s feature films Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople have both shown in competition at Sundance. Many tour operators offer Lord of the Rings tours to the scenic locations that formed the backdrop for the two trilogies.