Discover the best of Uruguayan cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from Uruguay. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of Uruguay
Uruguayan cinema represents one of Latin America's most distinctive and understated film traditions, producing four to six films per year whilst maintaining a modest though influential presence in regional cinema. The country's cinematic renaissance began in earnest with the arrival of "new Uruguayan cinema" in the new century, led by directors such as Juan Pablo Rebella and Pablo Stoll, responsible for 25 Watts (2001) and Whisky (2005). These groundbreaking films established Uruguay's reputation for contemplative, minimalist storytelling that finds profound meaning in everyday moments. Whisky became an instant landmark of 21st-century Latin American cinema, winning at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2004, proving that intimate Uruguayan stories could resonate on the world stage. Uruguayan movies tend to be slow burners with lots of critical acclaim, favouring character study over spectacle. What makes Uruguayan cinema special is its ability to capture the melancholy and beauty of ordinary life in Montevideo's quiet streets. Directors like Israel Adrián Caetano contribute to other countries' film industries, whilst new talents continue emerging from this small but vibrant scene. The industry has also embraced international co-productions, with powerhouse production companies like Cimarrón leading high-budget productions. While Uruguay's television landscape remains developing compared to its cinema, the country's filmmakers have consistently punched above their weight internationally. Their approach to storytelling, characterised by sparse dialogue and emotional restraint, has influenced Latin American cinema far beyond Uruguay's borders, creating a distinctive voice that celebrates the poetry found in life's quieter moments.
Best Uruguayan series
Club Hooligans 2023
After vicious infighting, two brothers are expelled of their beloved team’s gang. Alone, without money or political protection, they start a war that puts their brotherhood to the test.
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Masterchef Uruguay Profesionales 2018
Uruguayan gastronomic television program that seeks the best professional chef in the country. It premiered on August 20, 2018 on Channel 10. An adaptation of the British format of the same name.
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MasterChef Uruguay 2017
The most important cooking reality show in the world in its Uruguayan version.
43MasterChef Celebrity Uruguay 2020
The most important cooking reality show in the world in its Uruguayan version.
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Best Uruguayan movies
Anina 2013
Anina Yatay Salas is a ten-year-old whose name spells trouble: those three palindromes in a row are an ongoing source of teasing at school. When a playground fight results in mysterious punishment, Anina will learn to put her problems in perspective and empathize with others in this sweet little daydream of a tale.
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The Pope's Toilet 2007
In 1998, a small South American village is in a flurry over the Pope's upcoming visit for the business opportunities that it will provide. While most of the residents plan to sell food at the parade, a smuggler family man decides to build a pay toilet.
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A Monster with a Thousand Heads 2016
When Sonia receives the news that her husband’s cancer has progressed to a critical stage, she races to secure the insurance company’s approval for the care that can help him.
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Togo 2022
Togo just wants to watch his neighbors' homes, wash their cars and clean up their sidewalks. But the drug traffickers want more from him.
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Panic Attack! 2009
Giant robots appear out of the mist and attack the city of Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Bad Day to Go Fishing 2009
Jacob van Oppen, the former strongest man on earth, and his manager Orsini, who calls himself "the Prince", make a good living by traveling around small South American towns and organizing wrestling exhibitions. Arriving in Santa Maria, they are met with uncommon enthusiasm, the local newspaper wants to sponsor the fight, helping hands placard the town with posters, and an open call is made for a worthy adversary. Ever so resourceful, Orsini knows how to find the right combatant, but fishing in Santa Maria could lead to a bigger catch than he'd hoped for.
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