145 Brazilian Crime Films
145 titles
- 101
High ArtMovie · 1991 · 100mPhotojournalist Peter Mandrake travels to South America to investigate the murder of a local sex worker. His search plunges him into the dangerous world of pimps, drug gangs, and arms smugglers.IMDb 6.1TMDB 4.3 - 102
Assault on the Pay TrainMovie · 1962 · 102mSet in Rio de Janeiro in 1960, the film tells the story of a gang led by the notorious outlaw Tião Medonho who executes a daring railroad robbery, targeting a train carrying a significant amount of money.IMDb 7.8TMDB 8.0 - 103
A JaulaMovie · 2022 · 83m · ThrillerA luxury SUV is stolen from a street in São Paulo – or so it seems. The thief quickly gets inside, but soon finds himself trapped, with no water or food.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.9 - 104
Federal Bank HeistMovie · 2011 · 101m · Crime, Drama, Thriller"The Baron" planned an elaborate, non-violent heist targeting three tons of money. To pull it off, he needed a team willing to risk a million dollars. Based on true events from 2005, 168 million Brazilian Real – nearly 80 million US dollars – were stolen from a Brazilian Central Bank, making it the largest peacetime robbery in history and arguably the most audacious ever conceived.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.3 - 105
Lucio FlavioMovie · 1977 · 125m · Crime, DramaDuring the turbulent early 1970s, Brazil faced widespread political corruption and violence, leading to the rise of deadly paramilitary groups called death squads. Against this backdrop, a legendary bandit emerged, challenging these forces – the film’s protagonist. The movie explores his remarkable life and courageous fight against the Death Squads, offering a vivid portrayal of that difficult period. As he confronts deceit, betrayal, and brutality, his story becomes an inspiring tale of resilience, bravery, and justice amidst hardship. Featuring intense action and compelling character development, the film transports viewers to a time when one man's fight against oppression captivated the nation.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 106
The Red Light BanditMovie · 1968 · 92m · Thriller, CrimeIn the slums of São Paulo, Jorge’s life is a constant fight for survival until he discovers an unusual talent for robbing luxury homes, earning him the nickname "The Red Light Bandit." The media calls him this because of his signature red flashlight and his bold way of talking to hostages during his daring crimes. He doesn't hesitate to make light of tense situations and execute impressive escapes, using the money to indulge in extravagant experiences that stand in stark contrast to his poor origins. The vibrant, impoverished neighborhood of Boca do Lixo provides the setting for Jorge’s audacious life, a world where crime, indulgence, and dark humor intertwine with deep social inequality.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.7 - 107
Go Ahead, Brazil!Movie · 1982 · 105mIt's the mid-1970s in Brazil. The military dictatorship uses a booming economy and a World Cup victory to divert attention from its crackdown on political opponents. Jofre Godoi da Fonseca, a detached middle-class man, is wrongly identified as Sarmento, a political activist he briefly encountered at the airport before Sarmento was killed. As a result, Jofre is arrested and charged with being "subversive."IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.4 - 108
Fish in a BarrelMovie · 1977 · 110mA young man, raised by a single mother who took her own life, turns to robbery. He becomes entangled with two police informants who demand a share of his stolen money.IMDb 7.0TMDB 8.0 - 109
O Vigilante RodoviárioMovie · 1978 · 57mA police investigation uncovers a money counterfeiting operation. Following a setback for an undercover agent caused by the criminals, a team joins forces with the Highway Police to dismantle the gang.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.5 - 110
Assassinato em CopacabanaMovie · 1962 - 111
The Man Who CopiedMovie · 2003 · 123m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceA young man working at a copy shop develops a crush on his neighbor. Unable to afford anything from her business, he begins engaging in dishonest activities to earn money.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 112
LamarcaMovie · 1994 · 130mThis is the true story of Carlos Lamarca, a captain in the Brazilian Army who deserted his post during the military dictatorship. He then joined left-wing guerrilla groups and rose to become one of their most important leaders.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.9 - 113
Em Nome da LeiMovie · 2016 · 115mVitor, a young and idealistic federal judge, sets out to dismantle the powerful mafia controlling the border region between Brazil and Paraguay. Based on true events.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.1 - 114
Two RabbitsMovie · 2012 · 108m · Action, Crime, DramaEdgar, a man approaching 30 from a comfortable background, is grappling with a life crisis, a common experience for many Brazilians. He faces a government marked by corruption and neglect, alongside escalating urban crime. Edgar responds by becoming a modern vigilante. Using technology, disinformation, and manipulation, he formulates a complex plan that exploits the greed of his adversaries. As the story progresses, the film reveals the hidden histories of those involved, as Edgar pieces together an intricate puzzle that drives the narrative.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.8 - 115
ProcuradasMovie · 2004 · 90mTwo executives embark on a sailing trip with two prostitutes and then vanish without a trace. The circumstances strongly suggest foul play. Simultaneously, a documentary filmmaker working on a project about sex workers connects with Viviane, the sister of one of the missing women. They team up to uncover the truth behind the disappearance.IMDb 4.8TMDB 2.0 - 116
Revelations of a Cannibal FilmakerMovie · 2014 · 15mThis film is based on a shocking true story from Brazil.TMDB 8.8 - 117
I'm Still HereMovie · 2024 · 138m · Drama, HistoryIn 1971 Brazil, a woman's life is upended when a brutal act forces her to leave behind her marriage to a former politician and build a new future for her family. She must redefine herself and find a different path forward.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 118
Tocaia no AsfaltoMovie · 1962 · 101mA professional assassin is contracted to kill a corrupt politician, but the deal is called off. Though he's a hired gun, he approaches the assignment with dedication and intends to see it through.IMDb 7.7TMDB 6.2 - 119
Executive OrderMovie · 2022 · 102m · Drama, Science FictionIn a future Brazil controlled by a strict government, black citizens are compelled to relocate to Africa as a way to reconnect with their ancestral roots. Amidst widespread fear and uncertainty, two cousins find shelter in an apartment. There, they discuss social and racial issues, united by a shared desire to leave their country.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.9 - 120
Palace IIMovie · 2000 · 21mIn Cidade de Deus, Rio de Janeiro's most dangerous neighborhood, two young boys, Laranjinha and Acerola, are trying to earn money for a concert ticket. They decide the quickest way to get the funds is by working for local drug dealers, a risky proposition.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.2 - 121
Madame SatãMovie · 2002 · 105m · Crime, Drama, RomanceRio de Janeiro, 1930s. João Francisco dos Santos exists on the fringes of society – a man with a complicated past as the son of slaves, a former convict, and known for his rough behavior. He's also a protector to those cast out by society, and openly gay. On stage at a cabaret, João transforms into the flamboyant performer Madame Satã.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 122
Tempos de Barbárie – Ato I: Terapia de VingançaMovie · 2023 · 115mWhen Carla's daughter is shot during a robbery and left in critical condition, Carla struggles to cope with the tragedy. Seeking solace in support groups, she tries to rebuild her life. Meanwhile, her husband, unable to accept his daughter's fate or the police's lack of progress, channels his grief into a relentless pursuit of justice – a quest that pushes him to confront his own limits.IMDb 4.6TMDB 7.0 - 123
Operações EspeciaisMovie · 2015 · 99m · Action, Thriller, CrimeIn a dangerous part of Rio de Janeiro, a group of dedicated police officers – including a driven new recruit – struggle against corruption and suspicion at every turn.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.6 - 124
They Don't Wear Black TieMovie · 1981 · 122m · DramaThis drama follows Otavio, a dedicated union leader fighting for fair conditions at his local factory. His son Tião, who also works there, is hesitant to join a strike, worried about their family's finances. This difference in perspective creates conflict between father and son, straining their relationship. Their mother, Romana, acts as a bridge, helping them understand each other and ultimately strengthening their family while exploring important social issues.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.2 - 125
Barrela: Escola de CrimesMovie · 1990 · 70mInside a cramped prison cell, inmates must fend for themselves against the ever-present danger of sexual assault from other prisoners.IMDb 6.6TMDB 1.0 - 126
Bufo & SpallanzaniMovie · 2001 · 101mIvan Canabrava, a former writer now working as an insurance investigator, specializes in cases involving deaths caused by the Bufo Marinus frog. This poison induces a catatonic state, mimicking death and facilitating insurance fraud and other crimes. Ten years later, Canabrava, now a successful author, encounters characters reminiscent of his past cases. They become entangled in a complex and surprising plot.IMDb 6.5TMDB 4.8 - 127ParanóiaMovie · 1976 · 90mA group of four criminals break into a home and threaten the family living there.IMDb 6.0
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DrainedMovie · 2006 · 112m · ComedyA pawn shop owner deals in used items from people in need, motivated as much by a desire for control as by profit. His carefully maintained power dynamic is disrupted when two unusual items – a specific piece of furniture and a plumbing problem – enter his world, leading to a complete loss of composure.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 129
Os Carrascos Estão Entre NósMovie · 1968 · 90mA Brazilian intelligence agent discovers Nazi war criminals living in hiding within Brazil and begins a pursuit to bring them to justice.IMDb 6.4 - 130
Adventurer's FateMovie · 1958 · 88mShot while escaping a gunfight, the bandit Jaime lands on a riverbank and is rescued by two young women. He falls in love with Dorothy, a farmer's daughter, and turns himself in to the police for her sake. After his release from prison, Jaime must confront Xavier, a ruthless villain seeking revenge against Dorothy's father.IMDb 7.2TMDB 4.5 - 131
PropertyMovie · 2023 · 100mA reclusive designer barricades herself inside her armored car to avoid a worker revolt on her family's farm. As time runs out, the tension builds. Separated from the outside world by thick glass, two very different realities are on a collision course.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.4 - 132
Beijo na BocaMovie · 1982 · 97mA young woman from a middle-class background becomes entangled with a possessive drug dealer who is determined to eliminate all of her former romantic partners.IMDb 5.0TMDB 3.1 - 133
A Lei do CãoMovie · 1967 · 100mBebeto, a womanizer, kills a friend over his fiancée. Cornered, he kills four more people to survive and flees to the countryside, where he encounters Quinzinho, a professional hitman who agrees to protect him. Bebeto then begins a romance with a local woman, sparking the anger of the community and forcing him to leave.IMDb 4.9 - 134
MacabreMovie · 2019 · 105m · Horror, Thriller, DramaDuring the 1990s, two brothers stand accused of murdering eight women, one man, and one child in the Serra dos Órgãos region. Sergeant Téo begins to question the widely accepted narrative surrounding the case, sensing a deep-seated racism within the trial of the press, police, and the community. Based on a true story, the film is a work of fiction about the infamous "Necrophil Brothers" case.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.5 - 135
A Hora MágicaMovie · 1998 · 101mIn the 1950s, as television begins to replace radio, Tito Balcárcel, a voice actor, falls for Lúcia, a fan who pulls him into a dangerous criminal scheme.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.3 - 136
The StranglersMovie · 1908 · 40mThe film recounts a notorious criminal event that took place in Rio de Janeiro.IMDb 3.6 - 137
Bellini and the SphinxMovie · 2001 · 120mDr. Rafidjian hires Dora Lobo's investigation agency to find Ana Cintia, a prostitute. The case is assigned to Bellini and his new assistant, Beatriz. However, Dr. Rafidjian is brutally murdered, and the detectives delve into São Paulo's nightlife to uncover the truth. There, they encounter Fatima, a mysterious prostitute who becomes involved with Bellini.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.3 - 138
Bellini and the DevilMovie · 2008 · 120mDetective Remo Bellini is drawn into a dangerous world of illusion and mystery. He becomes consumed by visions, pain, and isolation, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. As death surrounds him, Remo struggles to understand what's happening, racing against time before he loses himself completely.IMDb 4.0TMDB 2.4 - 139
Memories of PrisonMovie · 1984 · 190mDuring the 1930s, acclaimed novelist and politician Graciliano Ramos is accused of communist sympathies. Consequently, he is arrested and imprisoned on Ilha Grande, enduring the harsh conditions typically imposed on ordinary inmates.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.7 - 140
A Noite dos AssassinosMovie · 1976 · 90mIn a quiet, overlooked town, three bandits rob a bank and escape with a large amount of money. The police pursue them, killing two. Ruth is the sole survivor of the getaway. - 141
My Name Ain't JohnnyMovie · 2008 · 124m · Crime, DramaThis is the true story of João Guilherme Estrella, known as "Johnny." A young man from a comfortable background, he transformed into a major cocaine trafficker in Rio de Janeiro during the early 1990s.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 142
Cabeça a PrêmioMovie · 2010 · 104mThe Menezes, a prominent Midwestern family of animal breeders, have long controlled the region's illegal activities. But their protected world is crumbling. Mirão Menezes is caught between drug cartels, increasingly aggressive authorities, and a violent feud with his brother Abílio. When Mirão’s daughter Elaine becomes involved with her father's pilot and becomes pregnant, they plan to escape, aided by a bribe from Uncle Abílio. However, the hitman hired to find them and eliminate them is himself entangled in a love story.IMDb 5.8TMDB 3.0 - 143
A Married Man's ReportMovie · 1974 · 87mCarlos, a married lawyer, develops a relationship with one of his clients that quickly becomes an obsession. Realizing she can't break Carlos away from his wife, the woman chooses to leave him and begins a new life with another man.IMDb 5.1 - 144
Dov'è Meneghetti?Movie · 1989 · 12mIMDb 6.8TMDB 5.5 - 145
BuscapéMovie · 2022 · 14mExecutive produced by Fernando Meirelles and directed by Fred Luz, the film follows Buscapé and Barbantinho, two friends who reunite in modern-day Cidade de Deus – a city now larger, more diverse, and more interconnected.
