The world has transformed its eyes to Brazilian cinema after the significant repercussion of the film “I am still here”. This became even bigger after the film won the best international film prize in Oscar 2025 edition.
With this in mind, we made a list that faces the most awarded national films in the history of Brazilian cinema. We also inform you where you can look at everyone in streaming services. Take a look more below.
The 10 most rewarded Brazilian films in history and where to watch each online
Central Do Brasil (1998)
Directed by Walter Salles, Central Do Brasil shows the trajectory of Dora (Fernanda Montenegro), a former teacher who writes letters to people illiterate at Brazil’s central station in Rio de Janeiro.
One day Josué (Vinícius de Oliveira), son of one of Dora’s customers, is only after the death of his mother in a bus accident and together they leave north -est in search of the boy’s father.
The film won gold to gold at the Berlin Film Festival, as well as the Golden Globe, the Bafta, the International Press Academy and the Award satellite for the best foreign film. In addition, he was also appointed for the Oscar for the best foreign film and was responsible for the nomination of Fernanda Montenegro to the prize for the best actress.
Central Do Brasil is available on Netflix and Globoplay.
City of God (2002)
Based on the book of the same name by Paulo Les, the film, directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, portrays life in the city of God of Favela, in Rio de Janeiro.
The narrative follows the trajectory of Buscapé (Alexandre Rodrigues), a young man who finds in his talent for photography a way to escape violence.
This is certainly one of the most acclaimed films in the history of national cinema, receiving four Oscars nominations, including the best director and the best adapted screenplay.
Among the over 55 prizes won all over the world there are the best foreign film Bafta and the jury Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
Cidade de Deus is available on Globoplay and Max.
The car from CompaDeCida (2000)
This classic of Brazilian comedy is, in fact, a cinematographic adaptation of the comedy of Ariano Sue Assa.
Directed by Guel Args, the script follows the adventures of João Grilo (Matheus Nachtergaele) and Chicó (Selton Mello) in his struggle for survival. But everything changes in the life of the two friends with the appearance of Our Lady (Fernanda Montenegro).
The film won the famous prize for the jury at the Brazilian Film Festival in Miami, as well as prestigious nominations such as the Avan Festival and the Viña of the Mar International Film Festival – in which Matheus Nachtergaele received the prize for the best actor.
The Compadecida car is available on Globoplay and first videos.
Bacurau (2019)
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s film and Juliano Dornelles tells the story of a village in the Brazilian backcountry, which seems to have disappeared from the maps.
With the arrival of foreigners and their drones who are around in the sky of the region, the community realizes that something is becoming strange. When people begin to appear dead, Teresa (Barbara Colen), Domingas (Sônia Braga), long (Silvero Pereira) and other inhabitants of Bacurau must trace a defense plan.
The main prizes of the film include the Cannes Film Jury Award, the best film Award at Lima and Munich Festivals and the best prize for Ibero-American film at the Platinum Award. As for the Brazilian cinema Grand Prix, the film won in categories for best director, better screenplay and better release.
Bacurau is available on Globoplay.
Carandiru (2003)
Directed by Héctor Babenco, the screenplay based on the Drauzio Book Station Varella Carandiru, tells the story of a doctor (Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos) and his work of prevention of the HIV virus within the largest prison in Latin America.
The film portrays some stories and the daily life of prisoners, facing topics such as overcrowding, violence and solidarity within the Brazilian prison system.
In addition to the various nominations, the film has won the prize for the best film at the Cartagena International Film Festival, as well as the public prize and the Special Prize of the Jury at the AVana Film Festival. Already in the Grand Prix Brazil, the film took the prizes for the best director and the best screenplay.
Carandiru is available on Netflix and Globoplay.
The Cangaceiro (1953)
Directed by Lima Barreto, this work is inspired by the figure of Lampião and portrays the life of the Cangaceiros in the North Backland -orientali.
The story follows Teodoro (Alberto Ruschel), from the Cangaceiros de Galdino Ferreira band, and his passion for Olivia (Marisa Prado), a teacher captured by the group.
This was the first Brazilian film to win international awards, which includes the prize for the best adventure film and the best soundtrack at the Cannes Film Festival.
Canegaceiro is not available in any streaming service today, but can be found online on other video platforms.
Capra marked with Die (1984)
This documentary, directed and written by Eduardo Coutinho, tells the story of João Pedro Teixeira, leader of the Lega dei Contadini of Sapé, Paraíba, who was assassinated in 1962 by order of the landowners.
The peasants of the region were acting in the film, which began to be shot in the middle of 1964, but interrupted their production from the military coup. Years later, Coutinho resumed the project and transformed it into a piece of films that mixes fiction and reality.
The film received the edonci prize at the Berlin Film Festival, the golden dolphin of the Trojan International Film Festival, as well as the Hours Concours award at the Gramado Festival.
The goat tagged to die is available on Globeplay.
Today I want to come back on its own (2014)
Directed by Daniel Ribeiro, this Brazilian cinematographic work accompanies Leonardo (Guilherme Lobo), a blind teenager who is about to discover.
As he deals with overprotective parents who deny his autonomy, Leonardo begins to question his sexuality after meeting a colleague of a room just arrived.
At the Berlin Film Festival, the film received the best film in the view of the show, as well as Teddy Award for the best LGBT themed movie.
The film also won the prize for the best film in the public choice at the Guadalajara Film Festival and received festivals awards dedicated to LGBTQIA+ Productions in Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Turin.
Today I want to return alone is available on Netflix and first videos.
What time does it come back to? (2015)
Directed by Anna Muylaert, the film tells the story of Val (Regina Casé), a Pernambuco woman who moved to San Paolo to work as a waitress for a rich family who tries to provide better living conditions for her daughter, Jessica (Camila Mardila).
Everything changes when Jessica decides that she wants to take the admission exam in the capital, questioning the class roles imposed by the company.
The film received the best prize for the fiction audience at the Berlin Panorama Show, the best prize for foreign films on Critics’ Choice Awards, as well as the best film awards and the best original screenplay of the Grand Othello Award of Brazilian Cinema.
What time does it come back to? It is available on Netflix.
The Promises Payer (1962)
Based on the homonymous comedy of Dias Gomes, this film directed by Anselmo Duarte tells the story of Zé Do Burro (Leonardo Villar).
After hitting his donkey for pets, the man decides to go to a Candomblé courtyard to appeal: if the divinities heal the Christmas animal, he will pay a promise in return.
This promise consists in the following: transporting long distances a giant and heavy wood cross on the back. They must transport it from within Bahia to the capital Salvador, more specifically to the church of Santa Barbara.
In addition to being the first Brazilian film to win the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, the title also became the first film in South America to be appointed for the best foreign film Oscar. The work was also assigned to the Festivals of Acapulco, Edinburgh and Brasilia.
The payer of the promise is available on Globeplay and first videos.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
