Best Brazilian crime movies

City of God (2002)

In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood, while José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer diving into a dangerous life of crime.

Brazilian Western (2013)

When João goes to Brazil in search of a better life, he meets punk music enthusiast Maria and falls in love with her. But his involvement in the local drug trade makes him the target of a vicious drug lord.

The Traitor (2019)

Palermo, Sicily, 1980. Mafia member Tommaso Buscetta decides to move to Brazil with his family fleeing the constant war between the different clans of the criminal organization. But when, after living several misfortunes, he is forced to return to Italy, he makes a bold decision that will change his life and the destiny of Cosa Nostra forever.

The Girl Who Killed Her Parents (2021)

Based on one of the most shocking and gruesome murder cases in Brazil, the film presents Daniel Cravinhos's point of view of the events that led to the death of Marísia and Manfred von Richthofen, his girlfriend’s parents.

Bus 174 (2002)

Documentary depicts what happened in Rio de Janeiro on June 12th 2000, when bus 174 was taken by an armed young man, threatening to shoot all the passengers. Transmitted live on all Brazilian TV networks, this shocking and tragic-ending event became one of violence's most shocking portraits, and one of the scariest examples of police incompetence and abuse in recent years.

The Boy Who Killed My Parents (2021)

Based on one of the most shocking and gruesome murder cases in Brazil, the film presents de Suzane von Richthofen's point of view of the events that led to the death of her parents.

A Wolf at the Door (2013)

Love turns to hate and panic breeds suspicion as two parents deal with the kidnapping of their child.

Lobos (2012)

Neighboring Sounds (2012)

An independent private security firm arrives at a middle-class neighborhood in Recife, Brazil.

My Dead Ones (2018)

Davi is a shy film student who hides a dark past. When visiting his neighbor Maria, a forgotten instinct comes to light and he commits his first murder. The next morning, to Davi’s surprise, Maria reappears in his apartment and begins to influence the boy to follow a journey of crimes that will reveal his true nature: of a serial killer.

Federal Bank Heist (2011)

"The Baron" wanted to commit the perfect heist involving 3 tons of money and no violence. For this he would need the right people willing to get 1 million dollars to take part in this job. Based on true events, in 2005, 168,000,000 Brazilian Real (almost 80,000,000 US dollars) were stolen from a Brazilian Central Bank (Federal Reserve), making it the biggest peace-time robbery in history. It was perhaps the most audacious bank heist ever.

Claudio (2022)

Claudio walks around the city without realizing that he is being followed.

7 Prisoners (2021)

An impoverished teen seeking to escape the clutches of a human trafficker must weigh living up to his moral code against his struggle to survive.

An Invisible Victim: The Eliza Samudio Case (2024)

A star goalkeeper threatens a woman who is pregnant with his child. Her pleas for help go unanswered in the shadow of his fame — then tragedy strikes.

Friendly Beast (2018)

A restaurant owner going over the edge when an armed robbery is attempted at his establishment. He holds everyone captive at gunpoint – criminals and customers alike – and situations corrode into a nightmare state, guided by manipulation and raw compulsion.

My Name is Tonho (1969)

As a child he was kidnapped by gypsies that raised him, without he ever knowing his parents. As a young man Tonho leaves the gypsies and go live by himself, meeting in his way a beautiful woman, who lost her brother, and a dangerous gang of violent criminals.

The Park Maniac (2024)

An infamous serial killer who assaulted and killed several women in the '90s, gets on a collision course with a young journalist eager for the truth and a career-changing article.

The Red Light Bandit (1968)

Born and raised in the misery of Brazilian slums, Jorge becomes a luxury house burglar in São Paulo and gets nicknamed "The Red Light Bandit" by the sensationalist press. In addition to wearing a red flashlight, he talks to his hostages in an irreverent tone and makes bold breakthroughs to later spend the money extravagantly. His world is the decadent neighbourhood of Boca do Lixo.

Madame Satã (2002)

In the favelas of Rio de Janeiro of the 1930s, João Francisco dos Santos is several things — son of slaves, ex-convict, thug, homosexual and adopted father for a number of pariahs. João expresses himself on the stage of a cabaret as Madame Satã.

Property (2023)

To protect herself from a revolt by the workers on her family's farm, a reclusive designer locks herself in her armored car. The clock is ticking and the tension rises. Separated by an impenetrable layer of glass, two universes are about to collide.

The Lady from the Shanghai Cinema (1987)

After meeting a beguiling woman in a movie theater, a realtor becomes embroiled in a mysterious plot involving murder, double identities and movies.

Pixote (1980)

10-year-old Pixote endures torture, degradation, and corruption at a local youth detention center where two of its members are murdered by policemen who frame Lilica, a 17-year-old trans hustler. Pixote helps Lilica and three other boys escape and they start to make their living by a life of crime which only escalates to more violence and death.

My Name Ain't Johnny (2008)

The true story of João Guilherme Estrella ("Johnny"), a young middle-class bon vivant who became a big-time cocaine dealer in Rio de Janeiro in the early 1990s.

Bang Bang (1971)

An anonymous urban protagonist experiences a series of absurd situations--including a crazy cab ride, an encounter with a wacky criminal gang, and lots of gunplay--infused with a unique anarchic energy, eventually suggesting our true animal nature.

The Trespasser (2001)

Two businessmen hire a hitman to kill their third partner and are then blackmailed by the hitman as he takes over their company.

492: A Man Called Death (2017)

The story of Júlio Santana, a professional killer who was responsible for almost 500 hundred murders in Brazil.

The Kiss (1981)

When a pedestrian is hit by a bus, the simple clerk Arandir runs and kisses the moribund in a gesture of sympathy and unconditional pure love. Opportunist photographer Amado Pinheiro witnesses the scene and sees the opportunity to sell newspaper and, together with the despicable and abusive chief of police Cunha, accuses Arandir of homosexuality.

Express Kidnapping (2018)

Sao Paulo, Brazil. Isabel, a 25-year-old girl, is kidnapped. The first ATM the criminals try to withdraw money from is broken. It's almost 10:00pm. The kidnappers realize they will not be able to get to the next one on time. What was meant to be an express kidnapping becomes an all-night imprisonment.

Angela (2023)

In this biopic about the life and death of Ângela Diniz, Angela meets Raul and believes she has found someone who loves her free spirit as much as she does. The overwhelming attraction makes the couple drop everything and live the dream of rebuilding their lives on the beach. But the relationship declines into abuse and violence, giving rise to one of the most remembered murders in Brazil.

Rio Babilonia (1982)

A public relations man is invited to guide an American millionaire during his stay in Rio de Janeiro. He gets involved in the most bizarre situations, from orgiastic mega-parties to confrontations with the police, meetings with drug dealers and movie stars, facing corruption and even murder.