A motion vector search apparatus and method that search for inter-frame motion vectors of motion pictures are provided. The motion vector search apparatus and method involve: inputting a search target frame to be coded; inputting as a reference frame a frame on which a motion vector search has been performed; by using each of a plurality of specific blocks set within the search target frame and each corresponding one of reference blocks set within the reference frame, performing a block matching for each of the specific blocks within a predetermined range of the reference frame; determining a search pattern for a motion vector for the entire frame according to block matching results for the plurality of specific blocks; by using the search pattern determined, executing a block matching in predetermined units of blocks on the inputted search target frame to be encoded; and generating motion vectors.