July 17, 2026
Film Locations in Rio de Janeiro: Where the Movies Meet the City
Rio de Janeiro has been a backdrop for filmmakers and musicians for decades, and much of what ends up on screen is filmed right here, in neighborhoods locals walk through every day. If you’ve ever watched a scene and wondered “wait, is that actually Rio?” — here’s where some of the most talked-about productions were shot, showcasing notable Film Locations in Rio de Janeiro.
City of God (Cidade de Deus)
Fernando Meirelles’ 2002 crime drama put Rio’s West Zone on the global map, highlighting Rio’s rich film history and its impact on international cinema.
Ainda Estou Aqui (I'm Still Here)
Brazil’s biggest cinematic moment in recent memory. Walter Salles’ film, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, won the Oscar for Best International Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards, with Fernanda Torres also nominated for Best Actress. The house at the emotional center of the story wasn’t the real Paiva family home — that one, originally on Avenida Delfim Moreira in Leblon, was demolished long ago. Instead, the production used a similar 1938 house in Urca, on the corner of Rua Roquete Pinto, which so closely captured the era that it’s since become a spot visitors seek out on their own. Other scenes take you through Gamboa, Arpoador, Glória, Copacabana, and the Botanical Garden — practically a tour of the city in itself.
James Bond in Rio
Long before Rio became a regular filming hub, 007 came to town. Moonraker (1979), starring Roger Moore, remains the only Bond film ever set in Brazil. The most memorable sequence — Bond battling the villain Jaws on the Sugarloaf cable car — was filmed on location at Pão de Açúcar itself. The crew also shot at Largo do Boticário, the colorful, cobblestoned square near Corcovado that stood in for MI6’s fictional Rio headquarters. The houses there are, if anything, even more vividly painted today than they were during filming.
Fast Five
The fifth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise features Rio scenes, including shots along Copacabana, but many favela chase sequences were actually filmed in Puerto Rico, mimicking Rio’s hillside neighborhoods.
Michael Jackson — "They Don't Care About Us"
One of the most talked-about music video shoots in Rio’s history. In 1996, Michael Jackson and director Spike Lee filmed part of the video in Santa Marta, a hillside community overlooking Botafogo. Brazilian authorities initially tried to block the shoot, worried about the image it would project ahead of Rio’s Olympic bid. It went ahead anyway, and residents welcomed him with genuine excitement. Locals have since credited the visit with helping bring attention — and eventually investment — to the area.
Escadaria Selarón
No list of Rio film locations is complete without the Selarón Steps in Lapa, a mosaic staircase created by Jorge Selarón that became a must-see spot after filming for ‘Beautiful’ by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell in 2003.
