
In a violent relationship, it takes a mother’s strength to save herself and her children from the man she loved. Once Were Warriors is a violent love story set against a contemporary urban backdrop.


A drama about a Maori family in a city in New Zealand.
Combined theatrical financials and commercial performance across all 2 installments.
Total Worldwide Gross
$6.7M
Cumulative box office receipts
Total Production Budget
$950K
Combined studio investments
Average Gross / Film
$3.4M
Average theatrical return
Commercial Multiple
7.05x
Worldwide Gross vs Budget
Browse all releases in chronological order or sorted by rating.

In a violent relationship, it takes a mother’s strength to save herself and her children from the man she loved. Once Were Warriors is a violent love story set against a contemporary urban backdrop.

Five years have passed and Jake has turned his back on his family. He's still up to his usual tricks in McClutchy's Bar, unaware, as he downs his latest opponent, that his eldest son, Nig, has died in a gang fight. The uncomfortable family reunion at Nig's funeral sparks a confrontation with second son, Sonny, and sets Jake and Sonny on a downward spiral.