Movies like Marighella (2021)
The best movies like Marighella (2021) are Lula, the Son of Brazil (2010), Baptism of Blood (2007) and The Patient (2018). If Marighella hooked you with its drama and history, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedElite Squad (2007)8.1/10 from 2,866 votes
- NewestMary (2024)Released 2024
Lula, the Son of Brazil (2010)
The true story of a working class boy who moves to the nation's financial capital at a young age and becomes one the most influential politicians in Brazilian history.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
SnoozefestMovies like thisBaptism of Blood (2007)
In São Paulo, in the late 1960s, the convent of the Dominican friars became a trench of resistance to the military dictatorship that governs Brazil. Moved by Christian ideals, frets Betto, Oswaldo, Fernando, Ivo and Tito came to support the guerrilla group Ação Libertadora Nacional, commanded by Carlos Marighella.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
The Patient (2018)
The true story of Tancredo Neves, the first civilian president of Brazil after a 20-year military dictatorship, and the infamous hospitalization which led to his death before he ever managed to take office.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Paulo Coelho's Best Story (2014)
Paulo Coelho is the world’s most translated living author, his books having sold over 165 million copies. But he was not always the inspirational global phenomenon he is today. Like the heroes in his spiritual classics THE ALCHEMIST and THE PILGRIMAGE, he long-searched for his calling, flirting with death, escaping madness, falling in love, and making rock ’n’ roll history in Brazil, all-the-while striving for success as a writer. A wild ride through a lifetime of stranger-than-fiction adventures, PAULO COELHO’S BEST STORY is a profoundly moving film that goes straight to the heart of the most beloved literary guru of our time, revealing the most incredible wonder of all: the man behind the masterpieces.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Getulio (2014)
The movie depicts the political crisis that led to the suicide of president Getúlio Vargas, in the 19 days that preceded August 24, 1954. The crisis began with the attempted assassination of journalist and politician Carlos Lacerda in August 5, 1954, at rua Toneleros, Rio de Janeiro, in which Major Vaz was assassinated instead. Investigations pointed to Gregório Fortunato, chief of Vargas' personal guard, as the orderer of the frustrated assassination. This incident was one of the most importants in the history of Brazil.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFour Days in September (1997)
Fernando, a journalist, and his friend César join terrorist group MR8 in order to fight Brazilian dictatorial regime during the late sixties. César, however, is wounded and captured during a bank hold up. Fernando then decides to kidnap the American ambassador in Brazil and ask for the release of fifteen political prisoners in exchange for his life.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisElite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010)
After a bloody invasion of the BOPE in the High-Security Penitentiary Bangu 1 in Rio de Janeiro to control a rebellion of interns, the Lieutenant-Colonel Roberto Nascimento and the second in command Captain André Matias are accused by the Human Right Aids member Diogo Fraga of execution of prisoners. Matias is transferred to the corrupted Military Police and Nascimento is exonerated from the BOPE by the Governor.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOlga (2004)
Based upon the true story of Olga Benário, the German-born wife of Brazilian communist leader Luís Carlos Prestes. During the dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas (1930-1945) she was arrested and sent to Nazi Germany, where she was put to death in a concentration camp. After World War II began, Vargas decided to uphold the Allies.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChatô, The King of Brazil (2015)
The true story of Assis Chateaubriand, the first magnate of communications in Brazil. Due to his influence during the late 1930s up to the early 1960s, he has come to be called 'the Brazilian Citizen Kane'.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Two Sons of Francisco (2005)
The story of Francisco, a very simple and poor man whose dream was to see his children become country music stars, and who made all the efforts to make it happen.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Man of the Year (2003)
Maiquél has lost a bet and dyed his hair blond. This seemingly innocuous event triggers a head-on collision with destiny in which he goes from nobody to hero to outlaw — all in 24 hours.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisForeign Land (1996)
During a time of political upheaval in Brazil, two strangers meet by coincidence in a foreign land and end up caught in the middle of a gem smuggling ring.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZuzu Angel (2006)
Covering the last years of the famous Brazilian fashion designer in her doomed quest for justice, Zuzu Angel follows the case of her activist son Stuart's arrest, torture, murder, and subsequent corpse disposal by the military forces in early 1970s Rio de Janeiro, during the darkest era of Brazilian military regime and media censorship.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisElite Squad (2007)
In 1997, before the visit of the pope to Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento from BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) is assigned to eliminate the risks of the drug dealers in a dangerous slum nearby where the pope intends to be lodged.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTwo Rabbits (2012)
Edgar is a young upper-middle class man, close to completing 30 years old, he lives a full life crisis and is in a position common to the vast majority of Brazilians. On the one hand the power, represented by a corrupt state, abusive and absent in their taxes before their obligations. On the other, crime increasingly organized violence became a constant in the lives of citizens in large cities. Edgar responds to all this as a modern vigilante. With the help of ingredients such as technology, counter-information and manipulation, Edgar concocts a brilliant plan, using the greed of their opponents as the reason for its destruction. As the plot unfolds, we know more about the dark past of each character as Edgar fit the pieces together in an intriguing puzzle that makes up the film's plot.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Year My Parents Went on Vacation (2006)
A boy is left alone in a Jewish neighborhood in the year of 1970, where both world cup and dictatorship happen in Brazil.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDr. Gama (2021)
Based on the biography of Luiz Gama, one of the most important characters in Brazilian history, a black man who used the laws and courts to free more than 500 slaves. Born of a free womb, Gama was sold into slavery at the age of 10 to pay off his father's gambling debts. Even as a slave, he became literate, studied and earned his own freedom, becoming one of the most respected lawyers of his time. An abolitionist and republican who inspired an entire country.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Carandiru (2003)
When a doctor decides to carry out an AIDS prevention program inside Latin America’s largest prison: the Casa de Detenção de São Paulo – Carandiru, he meets the future victims of one of the darkest days in Brazilian history.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisElis (2016)
The film tells the story of the energetic and pulsating singer Elis Regina since her arrival in Rio de Janeiro at age 19 until her tragic and early death. Despite all the difficulties, success comes fulminant and the life of Elis Regina gained national and international recognition, becoming undoubtedly considered today the greatest Brazilian singer of all time.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNo (2012)
In 1988, Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet, due to international pressure, is forced to call a plebiscite on his presidency. The country will vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to Pinochet extending his rule for another eight years. Opposition leaders for the ‘No’ vote persuade a brash young advertising executive, René Saavedra, to spearhead their campaign. Against all odds, with scant resources and while under scrutiny by the despot’s minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisArgentina 1985 (2022)
In the 1980s, a team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship in a battle against odds and a race against time.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNeon Bull (2016)
Iremar works at the rodeo in North East of Brazil. From his home, the truck he uses to transport the animals, he dreams of a future in the region's booming clothing industry.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCentral Station (1998)
An emotional journey of a former school teacher, who writes letters for illiterate people, and a young boy, whose mother has just died, as they search for the father he never knew.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisI'm Still Here (2024)
A woman married to a former politician during the 1971 military dictatorship in Brazil is forced to reinvent herself and chart a new course for her family after a violent and arbitrary act.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMadame 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.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCasa Grande (2014)
As a privileged teenager living in an affluent suburb of Rio de Janeiro, Jean has little to worry about beyond games, grades and girls. But as his overbearing father drags the family into debt, Jean is forced into a change of lifestyle which opens his eyes to the world beyond his 'casa grande' - not least that of the feisty, mixed-race firecracker Luiza. Cultures, classes and generations collide in this engrossing coming-of-age drama from Brazil.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Awakener (2018)
Miguel is a federal agent, highly trained and skilled in weapons. After experiencing trauma in his personal life, he sets out on a journey of revenge, assuming the identity of a masked vigilante. The Awakener decides to do justice with his own hands by exterminating corrupt politicians.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Killer (2017)
In lawless badlands, reclusive Cabeleira sets out to discover the fate of his gunman father and grows to be a feared assassin himself.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWaar (2013)
The efforts of the Pakistani security forces in their fight against terrorism and how the lives of security officials are affected. A retired security officer returns to save Pakistan from a major terrorist attack.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisMary (2024)
A miraculous conception. A merciless king. A murderous pursuit. Mary's journey to give birth to Jesus unfolds in this biblical coming-of-age epic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Marighella?
The closest matches to Marighella are Lula, the Son of Brazil (2010), Baptism of Blood (2007) and The Patient (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Marighella?
People who watched Marighella most often go on to Lula, the Son of Brazil (2010), Baptism of Blood (2007) and The Patient (2018).
What is the highest-rated movie like Marighella?
Elite Squad (2007), rated 8.1/10 by 2,866 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Marighella?
Mary (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Marighella chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Marighella, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.