Brazilian cinema has gone through a remarkably impressive period in recent years. In 2025, Fernanda Torres was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress and won the Best International Feature award for I'm Still Here, marking a first in the country's Oscar history. However, the successful 2026 production The Secret Agent was unable to repeat this success, losing to the Danish-Norwegian film Sentimental Value.

The Secret Agent drew attention when its lead actor Wagner Moura won a Golden Globe for Best Actor, thus securing Brazil's place among Oscar nominations for the second time. These two films have made a significant impact, championing modern Brazilian cinema. However, the film considered the best export of this genre is the 2002 masterpiece City of God, which has been compared to Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas.

Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund's powerful social drama offers both an impressive and realistic narrative. Regarded as one of the finest films of the last 40 years, City of God continues to leave a profound impact on viewers even after 24 years. Leandro Firmino's performance as drug dealer Li'l Zé has created one of cinema's most terrifying villains. If this film hasn't made it onto your watchlist yet, you're in luck; City of God began streaming on Paramount+ earlier this month.

City of God stands out not only as a significant part of Brazilian cinema but also of world cinema. With a low budget of $3.3 million, it initially earned the title of the highest-grossing Brazilian film. The film grossed $32 million worldwide. Don't miss one of the greatest productions in cinema history; you now have access to watch it.