Kiwi adventure comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople has smashed the record for the largest opening weekend ever for a New Zealand film with a box office take of $1.3 million.
Alongside breaking the record for the biggest opening weekend, the film has also taken the record for the single highest-grossing day for a New Zealand film, amounting over $528,000 on Saturday.
"There's nothing like seeing a film the way it was meant to be seen; on a giant screen with other people and we couldn't be more proud and happy that Kiwis are heading along and all our hard work is being appreciated," director Taika Waititi says.
"We've had reports of cinemas sold out across the country, theatres full of applause and people seeing the film three or four times already," says co-distributors from Piki Films, Carthew Neal and Leanne Saunders.
"We are blown away by this level of support and thank everyone for coming out on the weekend. This film is being seen in the way it was intended - on the big screen with whanau and friends."
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is on track to become a Kiwi classic, Madman Entertainment NZ's Mark Chamberlain says.
New Zealand Film Commission chief executive Dave Gibson also sent his congratulations.
"We're seeing groups of people of all ages sharing the experience and coming out for this film. It's good for everyone, especially the film industry," he says.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is showing in cinemas throughout the country now.
Newshub.
