10 Blockbuster Movies You Didn’t Know Were Made in Wellington

1. The Avengers

While primarily shot in the U.S. and Europe, The Avengers franchise taps into Wellington’s cinematic roots via Wētā FX. As the capital’s visual-effects powerhouse, Wētā lent crucial post-production magic to the Marvel blockbusters, reinforcing the region’s behind-the-scenes influence in Hollywood.

From creating epic battle scenes in the first Avengers film to designing the menacing Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, Wētā’s involvement has extended throughout almost all subsequent Marvel movies.

Their work showcases Wellington’s world-class digital artistry on a global stage.

See here for more information on visiting the Weta Workshop.

© Walt Disney Company / Marvel Entertainment

2. Avatar

James Cameron’s groundbreaking blockbuster brought the alien world of Pandora to life, with Wellington playing a crucial role in its creation.

Stone Street Studios in Miramar served as the hub for most live-action footage and initial performance capture. Meanwhile, the wizards at Wētā FX worked their magic, handling the CGI facial animation that made the Na’vi so believably expressive.

The film’s stunning visuals and immersive 3D experience wowed audiences worldwide, setting new standards for mainstream cinema. (Remind you of somewhere? New Zealand’s own otherworldly landscapes might have had a hand in inspiring Pandora’s alien beauty).

Learn more about the making of Avatar in our 5 New Zealand Features that Inspired Avatar.

© BagoGames on Flickr

3. King Kong

Wellington’s cinematic prowess shines in Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake of King Kong. This blockbuster, starring Jack Black, Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody, showcases the city’s versatility as a filming location.

Jackson ingeniously transformed Wellington into 1930s New York, with Seaview in Hutt Valley doubling for Broadway and Times Square. The iconic Skull Island scenes were captured at Lyall Bay and Shelly Bay, while key interior shots were filmed at Wellington studios, including Stone Street and the Opera House.

This epic production not only highlights Wellington’s stunning landscapes but also its world-class film industry capabilities.

© Universal Pictures / Wingnut Films

4. Black Sheep

This uniquely Kiwi horror-comedy showcases New Zealand’s rural charm and mutant-sheep mayhem. Shot across farms in the Wellington and Wairarapa regions during early 2006, Black Sheep blends local landscapes with creature effects created by Weta Workshop.

While not a reflection of typical Kiwi farm life (we promise!), the film offers a hilarious twist on New Zealand’s iconic sheep-filled pastures.

Studio work at Stone Street Studios in Wellington complemented the on-location shooting, grounding the movie’s outlandish plot in authentic Kiwi settings.

© NZ on Air, New Zealand Film Commission

5. Without a Paddle

This hilarious rafting comedy starring Seth Green, Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard might be set in Oregon, but it’s actually a showcase of New Zealand’s stunning scenery.

Though the film portrays American landscapes, it cleverly uses Wellington and North Island locations as stand-ins. The Hutt River doubles as the Columbia River, while 30 Laings Road in Hutt Central plays the role of the lodge.

Miramar studios served as the production base, anchoring the film’s creation in Kiwi soil. Other filming spots include Taupo, Waikato, Whanganui, Rotorua and of course, Wellington!

© Paramount Pictures

6. The Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson’s supernatural drama, The Lovely Bones, showcases both Wellington and Pennsylvania as filming locations.

The movie, which follows a young girl watching her family from the afterlife, utilised various spots around Wellington for on-location scenes.

Interior work, post-production, and visual effects were handled at Miramar’s Stone Street Studios, Park Road and Wētā FX.

This production demonstrates Wellington’s versatility as a filming destination, capable of doubling for international locations while offering world-class studio facilities.

© Dream Motion Pictures / Film 4

7. The Legend of Zorro

The 2005 swashbuckling adventure about the famous sword-wielding, mask-wearing vigilante had a surprising Kiwi connection. While the main shoot occurred in Mexico, Columbia Pictures moved second-unit filming to Wellington in early 2005.

Over three weeks, Wellington-based teams, primarily at Wētā Workshop and local studios, captured additional sequences.

This collaboration brought a touch of New Zealand’s world-renowned film expertise to the Antonio Banderas-starring blockbuster, showcasing the country’s ability to contribute to major international productions.

© Columbia Pictures

8. District 9

Neill Blomkamp’s Oscar-nominated sci-fi thriller, District 9, showcases New Zealand’s filmmaking prowess. While primarily shot in Johannesburg, pivotal scenes and studio-based sets were crafted at Stone Street Studios in Wellington’s Miramar.

The blockbuster, co-produced by New Zealand, the US, and South Africa, benefited from Wellington’s Park Road Production, known for its work on The Adventures of Tintin, The Hobbit and The Last Samurai.

And guess what? Peter Jackson lent his producing talents to this alien invasion tale, further cementing New Zealand’s reputation in the world of international cinema.

© TriStar Pictures

9. Pete’s Dragon

The Disney blockbuster, Pete’s Dragon, showcased New Zealand’s diverse landscapes, with filming spanning both islands. The production kicked off in Wellington at Stone Street Studios and Wētā Digital, where the movie’s magic began to unfold.

Nearby forest scenes, including those at Mount Victoria, provided the perfect backdrop for the early stages of filming. From there, the crew ventured south to capture the breathtaking scenery of the South Island.

This blend of studio work and on-location shooting in Bay of Plenty and Canterbury showcases New Zealand’s versatility as a filming destination.

© Disney

10. The Frighteners

This 1996 supernatural-comedy, starring Michael J Fox, was deeply rooted in Wellington. Peter Jackson’s Miramar studios (predecessors to Wētā and Stone Street) handled principal photography and pioneering special effects, cementing the city’s reputation in genre cinema.

Directed by Sam Raimi, this horror-comedy classic was entirely shot in New Zealand, with most scenes filmed in Wellington. It marked an early hit for Jackson and his wife, Fran Walsh, showcasing the capital’s potential in the film industry.

© Wingnut Films