Brazilian cinema grapples with streaming dominance and celebrates top 2026 films

A roundup of the best films released in Brazil during the first half of 2026 highlights a diverse slate ranging from Chloé Zhao’s "HAMNET" and Oliver Laxe’s "SIRĀT" to Park Chan‑Wook’s "A ÚNica Saída" and Christopher Miller & Phil Lord’s "Devoradores de Estrelas". The list underscores the global reach of contemporary cinema, featuring works by directors from the United States, South Korea, Spain, Iran, and beyond.

In an interview, Leonardo Edde, president of RioFilme, warned that the audiovisual battle has shifted from studios to global tech giants such as Alphabet, Amazon, Netflix and Apple. He argued that these platforms now shape cultural influence on a worldwide scale and called for specific regulation of streaming services, noting that only about 5 % of streaming content in Brazil is locally produced. Edde stressed that a stronger export strategy and state support are essential for the sustainability and international projection of Brazilian cinema.