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City of God poster

City of God (2002)

“If you run, the beast catches you; if you stay, the beast eats you.”

8.4/10 · 8,434 votes 2h 9m r DramaCrime

#2 of 154 films from 2002 #30 of 3759 in drama

Directed by Fernando Meirelles · Written by Paulo Lins, Bráulio Mantovani

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

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.

Cast

Alexandre Rodriguesas Buscapé
Leandro Firminoas Zé Pequeno / Dadinho
Phellipe Haagensenas Bené
Douglas Silvaas Dadinho
Jonathan Haagensenas Cabeleira
Matheus Nachtergaeleas Sandro Cenoura
Seu Jorgeas Mané Galinha
Jefechander Suplinoas Alicate
Emerson Gomesas Barbantinho
Alice Bragaas Angélica
Edson Oliveiraas Barbantinho Adulto
Michel Gomesas Bené Criança
Roberta Rodriguesas Berenice
Thiago Martinsas Lampião

Facts

Release dateAugust 30, 2002
Runtime129 min (2h 9m) — longer as the 2002 average of 106 min
GenresDrama, Crime
Original titleCidade de Deus
LanguagePT
Budget$3,300,000
Box office$30,641,770 (9.3× budget)
IMDbtt0317248

More from Fernando Meirelles

The Two PopesThe Two Popes2019 · ★ 7.5 · 2h 5m The Constant GardenerThe Constant Gardener2005 · ★ 7.0 · 2h 9m BlindnessBlindness2008 · ★ 6.5 · 2h 1m

If you liked City of God

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Questions

How long is City of God?
City of God runs 129 minutes (2h 9m).
Is City of God worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8.4/10 across 8,434 votes, which places it #2 of 154 films released in 2002 in this index (top 99%) and #30 among 3759 drama titles.
Who directed City of God?
City of God was directed by Fernando Meirelles. Other well-rated titles by the same director: The Two Popes (2019), The Constant Gardener (2005), Blindness (2008).
Who stars in City of God?
Alexandre Rodrigues as Buscapé; Leandro Firmino as Zé Pequeno / Dadinho; Phellipe Haagensen as Bené; Douglas Silva as Dadinho; Jonathan Haagensen as Cabeleira; Matheus Nachtergaele as Sandro Cenoura.
What is City of God rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for City of God?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/42298.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.