Are you planning on visiting Rio de Janeiro soon for the first time? To get you started and discover the best way to enjoy your experience, here are some films, novels, series, and movies set in the Cidade Maravilhosa. These will give you plenty of Brazil travel inspiration by featuring its history, atmosphere, and landmarks at the center of their stories.
From the rhythms of samba to the colorful frescoes of the favelas, and from the silhouette of Sugarloaf Mountain to the breathtaking panoramas from Corcovado… Rio embodies a perfect balance of nature, art of living, and urban effervescence.
Boa viagem!
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Movies Set
or Filmed in
Rio de Janeiro
Cidade de Deus—about the Rio de Janeiro slums
Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, City of God is a landmark film that plunges you into the raw and sprawling world of a favela in Rio de Janeiro. The powerful plot centers on the parallel lives of two friends. Firstly, Rocket, a sensitive young man who finds his escape through photography, and secondly Lil’ Zé, who rises to become a ruthless drug lord. The film’s profound social message reveals the systemic cycles, showing how opportunity, or the lack thereof, can determine one’s fate. The movie earned international acclaim, with Brazil submitting it for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2003. It went on to receive four additional Oscar nominations.
Bacurau
Dive into the heart of a Brazilian village with the thriller movie Bacurau. Here, tradition and resistance intertwine in the face of unexpected threats. Through an intense and singular plot, it explores the social and cultural dynamics of contemporary Brazil.
I’m Still Here—one of the best movies filmed in Rio de Janeiro
I’m Still Here, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2025, is a profound piece of Brazilian history. It gives an intimate look at how a man’s family lives in Rio de Janeiro during the country’s military dictatorship—A period often hidden from public memory. Through its heartfelt narrative and powerful imagery, it captures the indomitable spirit and beauty of the Brazilian people.
I’m Still Here was filmed in several authentic Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods, including the beaches of Leblon and the Urca area, which is known for its traditional buildings and proximity to Sugarloaf Mountain.
What Disney movies are set in Brazil? Rio 1, 2, and 3!
Carlos Saldanha’s animated films invite you to feel the beat of Rio de Janeiro! These joyful, colorful movies take you on a vibrant journey to Brazil’s most iconic city. The plot follows the adventures of Blu, a rare blue macaw who must travel to Brazil to save his species. He is joined by a free-spirited female macaw, Jewel. These movies celebrate the beauty, music, and vitality of Rio de Janeiro not only with lively soundtracks but also a colorful look at famous landmark… Making them perfect, feel-good movies for your Brazil travel inspiration.
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Brazilian
Music
Getz/Gilberto 1964
This album is a timeless classic that popularized bossa nova worldwide. Carried by the magical collaboration between Stan Getz and João Gilberto, it markedly captures the gentle and elegant essence of 1960s Brazil. An essential musical work!
Radio Bossa Brazil
Tune in to Radio Bossa Brazil for the soft, enchanting rhythms of bossa nova and other essential Brazilian music. This station takes you on a sonic journey where samba, jazz, and warm melodies create a unique and immersive ambiance, consequently letting you feel all the passion of Brazil.
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Books
and Novels
Set in
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro: Extreme City by Luiz Eduardo Soares
In Rio de Janeiro: Extreme City, Luiz Eduardo Soares offers a clear-eyed look at Rio. How? Through its most contrasting facets: favelas, corruption, activism, and daily struggles. Through the intersecting narratives of police officers, politicians, and residents, this book highlights the raw vitality and social challenges of a city caught in a tension between beauty and violence. It is a convincing chronicle to discover a Rio very far from postcard clichés.
Black Rio: Power and Culture in the 20th Century by Paulina Alberto
Paulina Alberto’s Black Rio: Power and Culture in the 20th Century explores Rio de Janeiro as a hotbed for a counterculture born in the favelas and working-class neighborhoods. By blending funk, soul, samba, and jazz, this 1970s movement transformed the city’s musical and social landscape, revealing its creative energy and desire for emancipation. This is a fascinating read to understand the constantly evolving culture in Rio.
The Brazilian Kitchen by Leticia Moreinos Schwartz
Unleash your inner chef and discover Rio’s vibrant soul through its cuisine! Leticia Moreinos Schwartz’s The Brazilian Kitchen isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a delicious journey. From the flavors of Copacabana beach to the hearty feasts of Lapa, each recipe celebrates local ingredients and the festive Carioca spirit. It’s the perfect way to bring the warmth and conviviality of Rio right into your home, making it an essential companion for anyone dreaming of a travel to Brazil.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
As one of the most widely read books around the world, The Alchemist is the most iconic work of Paulo Coelho, a celebrated author born in Rio de Janeiro. While the story is not set in Rio, the novel powerfully carries the soul of Brazil through its universal message of self-discovery and destiny, pushing readers to follow their dreams with faith and courage. It’s a symbolic read for anyone who wants to feel the spirit of freedom and striving that also animates Rio.
Black Orpheus by Marcel Camus
Marcel Camus’s Black Orpheus transports the Greek myth of Orpheus to the heart of Rio’s Carnival, in a whirlwind of music, passion, and tragedy. The plot reveals a lively city where rhythm and love intertwine amidst glitter and tropical heat. Plus, Black Orpheus was filmed entirely on location in Rio de Janeiro; the film’s iconic scenes of the favela were shot in the Morro da Babilônia, which provides an authentic backdrop for the story’s drama.
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Documentaries
and Videos
About
Rio de Janeiro
What Netflix series is set in Rio: Street Food Latin America!
The episode of Street Food: Latin America on Netflix dedicated to Salvador de Bahia delves into the heart of Brazilian street food, where African and Portuguese influences blend with passion. Through the stories of chefs like Suzana Sapucaia, the documentary explores emblematic dishes like moqueca (a fish stew with coconut and palm oil), acarajé (fried black bean dumplings), and pirão (manioc puree). Each recipe is an invitation to discover the cultural richness of Salvador, a city where gastronomy is a true art of living.
Pelé
An intimate and compelling look at a global icon, the Netflix documentary Pelé chronicles the legendary Brazilian footballer’s rise to fame. It follows his extraordinary 12-year journey from a young prodigy in 1958 to a national hero in 1970. With rare archival footage and exclusive interviews, the film celebrates the man who personified “the beautiful game.”
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TV Series
Set In
Rio de Janeiro
Samantha!
Samantha! is a lighthearted and quirky Brazilian comedy that follows a former 80s child star who is ready to do anything to regain fame. Filmed in Rio, the series offers a pop and colorful version of the city, blending kitschy nostalgia with sharp humor. It’s a perfect way to discover Rio from a funny and refreshing angle. This is on a list of TV shows about Rio.
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown in Brazil
With his characteristic expertise and enthusiasm, Anthony Bourdain takes viewers on a journey to the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, highlighting its unique culinary scene and cultural spots. The video explores attractions like the Mercado Central in Belo Horizonte and the massive contemporary art park Inhotim, while showcasing traditional dishes like liver with jiló and feijão tropeiro.
