Films

City of God on streaming: How to watch the Oscar-nominated Brazilian classic

"City of God", known for its vibrant and realistic visual style, featuring dynamic cinematography and fast-paced editing, is a classic that never goes out of style. Here, check where to stream the Brazilian film.

Alexandre Rodrigues in City of God.
© IMDbAlexandre Rodrigues in City of God.

With the release of the long-awaited sequel to “City of God” after 22 years since its debut, it’s the perfect time to revisit the classic and have a marathon of both the film and the new Max series.

The story tackles themes such as violence, poverty, crime and corruption, depicting the harsh reality of the Brazilian favelas. The production was so acclaimed that it managed to be nominated for four Oscars.

The Brazilian drama was directed by Fernando Meirelles and co-directed by Kátia Lund. It is based on the book of the same name by Paulo Lins and is set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Check out where to watch the thriller in US…

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How to watch City of God on streaming in the US

Currently, there are two ways to watch “City of God” in the United States and both require a subscription, as the classic starring Alexandre Rodrigues as Rocket is available on Fubo and Prime Video.

It’s not the only option, though; you can also buy or rent it through Amazon, Vudu and Apple TV. The price varies depending on your choice, ranging from around $3.99 (rental) to $14.99 (purchase).

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What is City of God about?

The story is set from the 1960s to the 1980s and chronicles the lives of several characters living in the favela known as City of God. Through a series of intertwined events, it follows the rise of organized crime in the favela.

The plot focuses on the lives of Rocket (played by Alexandre Rodrigues) and Li’l Zé (portrayed by Leandro Firmino), who have very different paths but whose lives intersect crucially.

Buscapé, a young man who dreams of becoming a photographer, tries to escape the violence and criminality surrounding him. Zé Pequeno, on the other hand, is a ruthless criminal seeking to consolidate his power in the favela.

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Ariadna is a multisport journalist specialized in delivering key, high-value information across competitions, including tournament formats, rules, lineups and injury updates, while also producing evergreen content. Her career in journalism began in 2021 at Indie Emergente, a digital music magazine, where she honed her skills in writing and reporting. In 2023, she expanded her expertise by contributing to Spoiler Latinoamerica, creating general culture content, before joining Spoiler US in 2024 to focus on entertainment coverage. With almost six years of experience across different media outlets, Ariadna has developed strong expertise at the intersection of sports and entertainment, covering live events such as Super Bowls, FIFA World Cup opening and closing ceremonies, Olympic Games and UEFA Champions League finals, bringing depth, accuracy and real-time insight to her reporting.

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