City of God (2002)

Kernel Score: 92% · 8,039 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Drama, Crime

Released: 2002-08-30

Runtime: 129 minutes

Is City of God worth watching?

Must-watch. A fast, brutal and beautifully shot story of two boys growing up in a Rio slum, one drawn to crime and one to photography. Violent, but it earns its reputation.

Watch it if you

  • like crime stories that follow a whole community over years
  • can handle graphic violence
  • enjoy films with restless, energetic filmmaking

Skip it if you

  • can't stomach children shown with guns
  • dislike subtitles

Best for: Serious night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch City of God

  • Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
  • Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood, while José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer diving into a dangerous life of crime.

City of God parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that City of God is a brutal, R-rated crime drama set in Rio's favelas depicting relentless gang violence, drug dealing, and gun crime.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Reviews and keywords describe continuous, ruthless gang war violence including shootouts and murder among children and teens.
  • Language: Moderate — R-rated crime drama in a street-gang setting implies frequent strong language, though not detailed in the signals.
  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: Strong — Central plot involves drug dealing and drug-related violence in a poverty-stricken neighborhood.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like City of God

If you liked City of God, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • GoodFellas (1990) — 92%: Rise-and-fall gangster saga with the same narrated, kinetic drive.
  • City of Men (2007) — 78%: Returns to the same Rio favelas with a quieter touch.
  • Boyz n the Hood (1991) — 86%: Young men and violence in a neighbourhood with few exits.
  • Menace II Society (1993) — 85%: Raw look at teenagers pulled into crime.
  • Scarface (1983) — 88%: A rise to power in the drug trade, with a grim cost.
  • The Warriors (1979) — 87%: Gang-ruled streets told with style, though far lighter.

Cast

  • Alexandre Rodrigues as Buscapé - Rocket
  • Leandro Firmino as Zé Pequeno - Li'l Zé
  • Phellipe Haagensen as Bené - Benny
  • Douglas Silva as Dadinho - Li'l Dice
  • Jonathan Haagensen as Cabeleira - Shaggy
  • Matheus Nachtergaele as Sandro Cenoura - Carrot
  • Seu Jorge as Mané Galinha - Knockout Ned
  • Jefechander Suplino as Alicate - Clipper
  • Alice Braga as Angélica
  • Emerson Gomes as Barbantinho - Stringy

City of God FAQ

Is City of God worth watching?

Must-watch. A fast, brutal and beautifully shot story of two boys growing up in a Rio slum, one drawn to crime and one to photography. Violent, but it earns its reputation.

Where can I watch City of God?

In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.

Is City of God OK for kids?

City of God is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that City of God is a brutal, R-rated crime drama set in Rio's favelas depicting relentless gang violence, drug dealing, and gun crime.

What movies are like City of God?

If you liked City of God, try GoodFellas, City of Men, Boyz n the Hood and Menace II Society.