Known for Directing
Taika David Cohen ONZM (born 16 August 1975), known professionally as Taika Waititi (/ˈtaɪkə ˈwaɪtiti/ TY-kə WY-tee-tee), is a New Zealand filmmaker, writer, actor, and comedian. He has received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and a Grammy Award, as well as nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and six Emmy Awards. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. His feature films Boy (2010) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) have each been the top-grossing film entirely funded and produced within New Zealand. Waititi's 2003 short film Two Cars, One Night earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. He co-wrote, co-directed and starred in the horror comedy film What We Do in the Shadows (2014) with Jemaine Clement, which was adapted into a television series of the same name in 2019. The series has been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. His directing credits include the superhero films Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), as well as the black comedy film Jojo Rabbit (2019), the last of which he also wrote and starred in as an imaginary version of Adolf Hitler. Jojo Rabbit received six Academy Award nominations and won Best Adapted Screenplay. Waititi also earned a Grammy Award for producing the film's soundtrack. In television, Waititi co-created and produced the comedy drama series Reservation Dogs, and directed, produced, and starred in the comedy Our Flag Means Death. In addition to directing an episode of the series The Mandalorian, he voiced the character IG-11, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance. Description above from the Wikipedia article Taika Waititi, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Born
August 16, 1975 (age 51)
Birthplace
Wellington, New Zealand
Filmography
109 films, 58 shows


Klara and the Sun
2026
country: New Zealand
When Klara, an Artificial Friend who wants nothing more than to find the perfect home, meets Josie, each immediately senses a kindred spirit in the other. Josie has a fraught relationship with her mother and they've suffered great loss, but Klara's innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty begin to heal the family and bring light to Josie's complicated world.


A Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever
2025 · 3m
country: United States
When Santa mistakes the doodle on a girl's list for a holiday wish, she wakes up on Christmas morning to find an unusual new friend under the tree.


The Boy & the Octopus
2024 · 5m
country: United States
A young boy encounters a curious octopus while snorkeling on a seaside vacation. The persistent mollusk attaches itself to the boy’s head and becomes his constant companion.


Next Goal Wins
2023 · 1h 44m
country: New Zealand
Dutch coach Thomas Rongen attempts the nearly impossible task of turning the American Samoa soccer team from perennial losers into winners.


Thor: Love and Thunder
2022 · 1h 59m
country: United States
After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.


Jojo Rabbit
2019 · 1h 48m
country: New Zealand
Jojo, a lonely German boy during World War II has his world shaken when he learns that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. Influenced by a buffoonish imaginary version of Adolf Hitler, he begins to question his beliefs and confront the conflict between propaganda and his own humanity.


Team Darryl
2018 · 6m
country: United States
Fresh off being unseated as the ruler of Sakaar, the Grandmaster makes his way to Earth to start a new life. It's been over a year since Thor left Australia and Darryl has been struggling to pay his rent. Now Darryl needs a new roommate to help make the monthly payments. Unfortunately for Darryl, the Grandmaster was the only one who answered Darryl's "Roommate Needed" ad and with no viable options, the Grandmaster moves in.


Thor: Ragnarok
2017 · 2h 11m
country: United States
Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his home-world and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of a powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela.


Team Thor: Part 2
2017 · 5m
country: United States
A continuation of the documentary spoof of what Thor and his roommate Darryl were up to during the events of "Captain America: Civil War". While Cap and Iron Man duke it out, Thor tries to pay Darryl his rent in Asgardian coins.


Team Thor
2016 · 3m
country: United States
Discover what Thor was up to during the events of Captain America: Civil War.


Hunt for the Wilderpeople
2016 · 1h 41m
country: New Zealand
Ricky is a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to survive.


What We Do in the Shadows
2014 · 1h 26m
country: New Zealand
Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.


Blazed
2013 · 2m
country: New Zealand
Two cars, one day: directed by Taika Waititi, this extended public service announcement uses humour to address the dangers of motoring under the influence of marijuana. A trio of tamariki imitate their Dads’ stoned antics, driving home what’s at stake when getting behind the wheel while ‘blazed’.


42 One Dream Rush
2010 · 42m
country: New Zealand
An omnibus project bringing together acclaimed directors from around the world, each contributing a 42-second short inspired by a dream. Produced by 42 Below vodka, the collection blends surreal, poetic, and experimental visions into a mosaic of oneiric cinema.


Boy
2010 · 1h 28m
country: New Zealand
Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.


Eagle vs Shark
2007 · 1h 27m
country: New Zealand
Love blossoms for Lily over double Meaty Boy burgers at mid-day when uber-computer nerd Jarrod comes in and leaves with free extra large fries. After gatecrashing Jarrod's party and proving her skills on the game console, Lily goes down to Jarrod's home town with him so he can settle an old score with a past school bully.


Falling Leaves
2005 · 8m
country: Unknown
Falling Leaves is a heartfelt and quirky short film by Taika Waititi, blending his signature humor with poignant storytelling. Set in a small New Zealand town, the film explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time through the eyes of its offbeat characters. With striking visuals and a tender yet comedic tone, Falling Leaves captures the bittersweet moments of life and human connection, offering a glimpse into Waititi's early creative brilliance.


What We Do in the Shadows: Interviews with Some Vampires
2005 · 28m
country: New Zealand
Who says being an undead creature of the night is easy? With that in mind, three ancient friends—centuries-old vampires Vulvus, the romantic and temperamental Lord Byron wannabe; Viago, the flamboyant 19th-century dandy; and Deacon, the rebellious 107-year-old youngster—invite a documentary crew to shed light on a vampire’s daily life. Starting from the fateful day of their eternal transformation, these modern-day blood-suckers don’t shy away from answering deeply personal questions about their quirky flatmate situation—after all, this is an interview, not just an excuse for a quick bite.Will we ever truly find out what vampires do in the shadows?


Tama Tū
2004 · 18m
country: New Zealand
Six Māori Battalion soldiers camped in Italian ruins wait for night to fall. In the silence, the bros-in-arms distract themselves with jokes. A tohu (sign) brings them back to reality, and they gather to say a karakia before returning to the fray. Director Taika Waititi describes the soldiers as young men with "a special bond, strengthened by their character, their culture and each other.


Heinous Crime
2004 · 8m
country: New Zealand
Two players, one heinous crime to be revealed. Wellington Winner of 48 Hours Furious Filmmaking 2004.


Two Cars, One Night
2004 · 12m
country: New Zealand
Sometimes first love is found in the most unlikely of places, like in the carpark outside the Te Kaha pub.