What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHunt for the Wilderpeople
Taika Waititi · Film · 2016
If you loved Hunt for the Wilderpeople, start with Reservation Dogs (Taika Waititi, 2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Hunt for the Wilderpeople across media.
You loved the way Hunt for the Wilderpeople balances grand wilderness adventure with the raw, messy, and heartfelt growth of unlikely outcasts.
Books on the same thread
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain · Book · 2009
Explores: Racism, Freedom, Moral Development.
If the rebellious spirit of Hunt for the Wilderpeople resonated with you, this classic captures that same picaresque energy, pairing an unlikely duo on a journey through the wild.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
Just as Hunt for the Wilderpeople navigates the emotional landscape of a defiant youth, this story mirrors that internal struggle through a fantastical, yet deeply relatable, lens of childhood escapism.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain · Book · 1994
Explores: Childhood Adventures, Mississippi River Life, Rebellion.
Fans of the youthful rebellion found in Hunt for the Wilderpeople will appreciate these iconic tales of childhood mischief and the longing for freedom from the constraints of adult society.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Courage, The Hero's Journey.
The reluctant hero at the center of this epic journey shares a surprising amount of grit with the characters in Hunt for the Wilderpeople, proving that adventure changes everyone.
Series on the same thread
Reservation Dogs
Taika Waititi · Series · 2021
Explores: Indigenous identity, small-town life, teenage friendship.
This series shares the distinct creative DNA of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, focusing on the intimate bonds of teenagers navigating life on the margins while dreaming of a distant horizon.
Podcasts on the same thread
Search & Rescue NZ
Podcast
Explores: search and rescue operations, wilderness survival, human resilience.
If you were captivated by the rugged New Zealand landscapes in Hunt for the Wilderpeople, these stories of survival and human resilience offer a gripping, real-world look at the bush.
The MeatEater Podcast
MeatEater · Podcast · 2026
Explores: self-reliance, ethical hunting, environmental stewardship.
The appreciation for self-reliance and the untamed natural world that defines the survival arc of Hunt for the Wilderpeople is explored here with deep curiosity and a focus on stewardship.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the central conflict in Hunt for the Wilderpeople?
The central conflict in Hunt for the Wilderpeople involves a defiant city kid named Ricky and his cantankerous foster uncle who end up on the run together in the New Zealand bush. This triggers a national manhunt that forces them to cooperate to survive in the wilderness.
Who directed Hunt for the Wilderpeople?
Hunt for the Wilderpeople was directed by Taika Waititi. The 2016 film follows the journey of a young boy and his foster uncle as they navigate the New Zealand bush while being pursued by authorities during a national manhunt.
Is Hunt for the Wilderpeople set in New Zealand?
Yes, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is set in the New Zealand bush. The story focuses on the relationship between a young foster child and his uncle as they traverse the rugged terrain while evading a national manhunt that spans the region.
What happens to the characters in Hunt for the Wilderpeople?
In Hunt for the Wilderpeople, a young boy named Ricky and his foster uncle are forced to put aside their differences to survive in the wild. Their journey turns into a national manhunt, requiring them to work together to overcome the challenges of the New Zealand bush.