81 Brazilian Films to Watch

This film explores the possibility of healing a family fractured by past pain. It's an intense yet gentle story about a man's journey to reconnect with his family and rediscover the love that binds brothers together, ultimately rebuilding a sense…

Kira, a botanist with mysterious magical abilities, has her life changed when her friend Nanda finds a trapped elf named Damiz in her room. They discover Damiz is a prince, captured by Gorgon, a ruthless executive aiming to buy Nanda’s…

Tropicália is a documentary film set in the turbulent 1960s. It explores the Brazilian artistic movement of the same name and the artists' fight to express revolutionary ideas through their music, challenging the traditional sounds of Brazil at the time.

Manuel and Rosa flee into the sertão, the harsh, remote region of Northern Brazil, after an unforeseen act of violence involving their employer. There, battling to survive, they face a series of menacing figures who exert a growing influence over…

Olímpia, a well-meaning but clumsy maid, works in a middle-class condo where complicated relationships abound. Her employers, Inês and Eduardo, are entangled in a web of affections. Eduardo is married to Inês, who is married to him. Meanwhile, Inês is…

Claudio, a publicist, and Helena, a housewife and choir teacher, have been married for many years but struggle to understand or respect each other's feelings. Claudio views Helena as someone who shops and teaches choir, while Helena sees Claudio as…

"Besouro" tells the incredible story of a young Brazilian man with African heritage who journeys to discover his purpose. The film is inspired by the life of a legendary capoeira fighter from Bahia.

This is a biography of Francisco Candido Xavier, a spiritual medium and author.

Cristiano, Francisco, and Gabriel, lifelong friends, celebrate their university entrance with a night of revelry. However, their fun takes a dark turn when a horrifying event erupts, turning their celebration into a violent ordeal.

A man develops feelings for a teenage girl who is being abused by her grandfather. The grandfather exploits her by taking her to gas stations and offering her for sexual acts in exchange for money.

A teacher visits one of her students at his home in a slum and learns a shocking truth: the boy's parents were murdered by drug traffickers, who are now searching for him.

Following a violent raid by the BOPE special forces unit at the Bangu 1 high-security prison in Rio de Janeiro, aimed at suppressing an inmate rebellion, Lieutenant-Colonel Roberto Nascimento and Captain André Matias are accused by human rights advocate Diogo…

Puro Sangue e Pangaré is the story of a father and son who run a circus together, with both performing as clowns. At one point, Pangaré begins to express weariness and unhappiness with his life as a clown.

A woman decides to leave her boyfriend and run away to a new place. Before she departs, she arranges a final meeting with him, giving them just one hour to playfully reflect on their relationship.

This documentary follows a drover and his family as they struggle to survive in Brazil's harsh northern badlands during a severe drought. Driven by resilience, they search for a new start. The film offers an intimate look at their lives,…

A wealthy businessman secretly deposits funds into his secretary's account, who is also his lover. However, a clerical error redirects the money to the account of an honest woman whose husband has recently lost his job.

In the Brazilian jungle, a grown Black man named Macunaíma unexpectedly arrives in a small village. He then undergoes a remarkable change, transforming into a white man and traveling to São Paulo. There, he embraces a stylish life and falls…

In 1910, a woman and her mother are brought to a remote desert by the woman's husband. Following his death, she is left to spend the next 59 years desperately trying to escape.

Based on Lucinha Araújo's memoir, "Só as Mães São Felizes," the film chronicles Cazuza's intense and short life over a decade. It follows his journey from early success at the Circo Voador in 1981 through his rise to fame with…

In 1970, a young boy finds himself alone in a Jewish neighborhood in Brazil, a time marked by both the excitement of the World Cup and the oppressive reality of a dictatorship.

Zé, living in a poor community, considers his donkey his most prized possession. When the animal falls gravely ill, Zé desperately prays to Saint Bárbara for a cure. Miraculously, the donkey recovers, and Zé vows to carry a cross on…

This historical film follows Carlota Joaquina, a Spanish princess whose life changes when she meets the Portuguese prince at age ten. The movie explores her emotional journey as she deals with a planned marriage and the pressures of royal life,…

This is the story of a young man from a working-class background who relocates to Brazil's financial center. He rises to become one of the country's most powerful and influential politicians.

João travels to Brazil hoping for a better future and meets Maria, a woman passionate about punk music. They fall in love. However, João's connection to the city's drug trade puts him in danger from a ruthless drug lord.

This inspiring documentary follows acclaimed artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from the world's largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro to international fame. Muniz collaborates with the "catadores," the landfill's waste pickers – resourceful individuals who offer a unique perspective…

Immature Fábio Clóvis marries the seemingly intellectual Miá and they embark on a European cruise aboard a luxurious ship. While onboard, Fábio and Miá are invited to dinner with the affluent Beto Assunção and his wife Laura at a VIP…

Dr. André Luiz dies and finds himself in a place called "Umbral," a painful, swamp-like limbo. He's rescued by a white light and brought to "Nosso Lar," or "Our Home," a peaceful community where people live in harmony, awaiting...

This is based on the true story of Olga Benário, the German-born wife of Brazilian communist leader Luís Carlos Prestes. During the dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas (1930-1945), she was arrested and deported to Nazi Germany, where she was killed in…

"The Baron" planned an elaborate, non-violent heist targeting three tons of money. To pull it off, he needed a team willing to risk a million dollars. Based on true events from 2005, 168 million Brazilian Real – nearly 80 million…

A young man working at a copy shop develops a crush on his neighbor. Unable to afford anything from her business, he begins engaging in dishonest activities to earn money.

Lisbela is a movie enthusiast. Leléu is a traveling con man who performs at local events, showcasing outlandish acts like turning a woman into a gorilla. He becomes involved with Linaura, a beautiful and alluring woman who is married to…

Three mothers – Ruth, whose teenage son Raul struggles with drug issues; Elisa, striving to compensate for her husband's absence by focusing on her son Theo; and Lara, a teacher grappling with an unexpected pregnancy – find solace together while…

Rachel, raised in an affluent São Paulo family, shocked them all by leaving home and her studies at 17 to become a call girl. Soon after starting this new life, she began blogging about her experiences. Inspired by clients who…

Facing financial hardship, a family devises a plan for their daughter Lindinha: to have her become pregnant by the famous singer Ivan Cláudio, hoping to secure a large inheritance and improve their situation. They carefully coordinate an encounter between Lindinha…

Amidst the cultural upheaval of the 1960s – the rise of motorcycles, Elvis, Beatniks, and a burgeoning counterculture – a young man from Bahia ignited Rock in Brazil. Raul Seixas, a charismatic figure who captivated thousands, became a legend. He…

Regina, a solitary 65-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer in Copacabana, thinks she saw a murder in the building across the street. This leads her to become involved with the suspect, setting off a dangerous series of events that compels her to…

Rio de Janeiro, 1930s. João Francisco dos Santos exists on the fringes of society – a man with a complicated past as the son of slaves, a former convict, and known for his rough behavior. He's also a protector to…

Five friends devise a plan to rob a vehicle transporting valuable goods, hoping it will fundamentally alter their futures.

To enjoy a well-deserved break, God needs to find a saint to run the universe in His absence. He travels to Northeast Brazil, convinced he'll find the perfect candidate there. Upon arriving, he's joined by a young man who offers…

In the bustling city of Copacabana, four individuals with contrasting lifestyles cross paths. Rita and Waldick, newcomers from the countryside, befriend two locals upon their arrival: Paulo Roberto, a charming playboy and surfer, and Tim, a pimp.

Zero is a brilliant scientist haunted by a past heartbreak: twenty years ago, he lost Helena, the woman he loved, in a public humiliation. An accidental activation of one of his inventions sends him hurtling back to 1991. Seeing a…

A kind former teacher now writes letters for people who can't read or write. He meets a young boy struggling with the loss of his mother. They connect and set out to find the father the boy has never met.…

Following the death of their friend Quincas, his companions take his body on a final journey to the places he held most dear in Bahia, Brazil.

In 1942, deep in Northeastern Brazil, an unlikely pair crosses paths. Johan, an aspirin salesman trying to evade the German military draft, encounters Ranulpho, a rural Brazilian searching for relief from a severe drought.

João Grilo and Chicó, two impoverished men from the Brazilian countryside, make their living by swindling people in a small northeastern town. After they die, they face judgment before Christ, the Devil, and the Virgin Mary, who decide their fate…

Haunted by painful memories, truck driver João embarks on a solitary cross-country journey across Brazil. While driving, he discovers a young boy hidden in his truck, searching for his father. Hesitantly, João agrees to take the boy to the nearest…

A lighthearted adaptation of a classic novel. The story is told by a wealthy deceased man, who recounts his life and the world around him, often with a humorous, satirical tone.

Luiz Gonzaga leaves his hometown for the city, seeking a fresh start after a heartbreak. There, he meets and falls in love with Odaleia. The arrival of his son and his wife's declining health prompt him to return to his…

The impoverished community of Javé faces imminent destruction from a new dam. Their only hope is to prove the town’s historical significance. With most residents illiterate, they must enlist the help of Antônio Biá, a man previously shunned for spreading…

A 50-year-old woman reflects on her life, revisiting her 20s through a game that explores countless "what if" scenarios. She considers how different choices – like declining a fateful invitation – might have altered her path. What if she'd chosen…

In 1997, as the Pope prepares to visit Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento of BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) is tasked with neutralizing threats from drug dealers in a nearby, dangerous slum.

A retired police officer is suspected of murdering a sex worker.

The enchanting Caravana Rolidei arrives in a quiet town, offering a dazzling show with magic by the Gypsy Lord, captivating dances by Salomé, and incredible strength displays by the silent Swallow. A young accordion player is instantly drawn to Salomé…

This is a true story about an everyday woman and her three husbands. They all share a house in a poor, dry village in northeastern Brazil. The film humorously explores their dynamic.

Fifteen years ago, Carlos waited at the cinema for Júlia, a university colleague he loved, but she never arrived. Alone in the lobby, an unexpected event occurs that dramatically alters his path. This seemingly small moment shapes the course of…

The film depicts the day Rui and Vani first encountered each other – at their respective weddings (with different partners). Vani was marrying Sérgio, and Rui was marrying Marta in the same church, with Vani's ceremony preceding his. While waiting…

Against the backdrop of Carnival in Salvador da Bahia's historic Pelourinho district, the film explores the lives of the residents of a dilapidated tenement building. They navigate daily struggles with resourcefulness, wit, humor, and music.

In Buenos Aires, Laura develops feelings for a photographer named Guilherme. Back in Brazil, she learns a surprising truth: Guilherme is the best friend of her fiancé.

In early 1900s Brazil, the isolated community of Canudos is led by Antônio Conselheiro, a charismatic leader seen by his followers as a prophet. A poor family's arrival draws them into Canudos' close-knit life, which soon provokes unease from the…

Neto is an ordinary teenager from a middle-class family. When his father discovers a marijuana cigarette in his pocket, Neto is committed to a mental institution. There, he encounters a bizarre and brutal world where individuals are consumed by a…

Zé Araújo is forced into an unwanted marriage and subjected to demeaning work under his father-in-law. He transforms into the legendary Ojuara, a rebellious figure known for his unconventional and hedonistic lifestyle.

This is the true story of João Guilherme Estrella, known as "Johnny." A young man from a comfortable background, he transformed into a major cocaine trafficker in Rio de Janeiro during the early 1990s.

Zuzu Angel chronicles the final years of her life as she fights for justice in the case of her activist son, Stuart. He was arrested, tortured, murdered, and his body secretly disposed of by the Brazilian military in Rio de…

In a competitive world, Raimundo Nonato finds success through his cooking. Across different social circles, this seemingly gentle young man develops his culinary skills and sharpens his knives, and then he falls in love. Jorge's clever, humorous story uses food…

Francisco is a humble, impoverished man with a heartfelt ambition: to see his children achieve fame as country music stars. He dedicates himself entirely to making that dream a reality.

José Henrique Fonseca delivers a sweeping, long-awaited tribute to a key figure in Brazil's 20th-century history. This biopic, styled after film noir, recounts the dazzling yet ultimately tragic life of football legend Heleno de Freitas. The elegant black and white…

Following an unforeseen event, Odorico becomes the mayor of the small town of Sucupira. To maintain public trust and conclude his term positively, he must open the city cemetery and confront accusations of corruption.

"5 x slum, now by ourselves" brought together over 80 young people from Rio de Janeiro's favelas. They were chosen through workshops focused on scriptwriting and filmmaking to create a feature film. The movie features five stories that show different…

A doctor launches an AIDS prevention program within Brazil's largest prison, Carandiru. He encounters the inmates who will become victims of a horrific massacre: in 1992, the São Paulo Military Police killed 111 people under the guise of maintaining order.…

In New York City, an undocumented immigrant faces trouble due to his involvement with a troubled prostitute.

Orfeu, a respected composer from a lively samba school, lives in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. His life changes when he meets Euridice, a beautiful newcomer to the neighborhood. They fall in love against a backdrop of vibrant samba…

A man rises from the poverty of Rio de Janeiro to become the leader of Afro-reggae, a movement centered on nonviolent cultural expression.

Lineu, a public servant and devoted husband, celebrates the 40th anniversary of his first date with his wife, Nenê. In the present day, Lineu is unsettled by the death of a colleague, Pacheco, and seeks a medical check-up. Fearing a…

Romão, who cannot read or write and is out of work, embarks on a journey to Rio de Janeiro hoping to find employment and a better life. He joins a family of seven on a 2,000-mile bicycle trip through the…

Three friends from childhood arrange a day together to reconnect and resolve their ongoing conflicts. One is involved in criminal activity, another is a successful football player, and the third struggles to maintain a comfortable life.

Claudio and Helena are about to end their relationship when they encounter an unusual event that seems to offer them a new perspective on each other.

Maiquél loses a bet and dyes his hair blond. This simple act unexpectedly throws his life into chaos, transforming him from an ordinary person into a hero, then an outlaw, all within a single day.

Flor, a young widow, begins a new chapter after her husband Vadinho's death. Though charming, Vadinho had a complicated past. Hoping for stability, Flor marries Dr. Teodoro, a dependable man who offers her a fresh start. But Vadinho unexpectedly returns,…

In Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, best friends Deco and Naldinho run a cargo boat together. They offer a ride to Karinna, a captivating prostitute, and find themselves increasingly drawn to her. Her intense allure tests their friendship and challenges their…

April 1910, in the Brazilian backlands. Tonho's father commands him to avenge his brother's death. Tonho understands that carrying out this act will mean he has only a short time left to live, before the other family seeks revenge. He…