Brazilian cinema has reached a new historic milestone. The Secret Agent earned four nominations at the 2026 Oscar, the Academy Awards, matching the record set by City of God in 2004 and reinforcing Brazil’s growing presence on the global film stage.
The nominations were announced on Thursday, January 22, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, placing the film among the most celebrated international productions of the year. The Oscars ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning as host.
Four Oscar Nominations for The Secret Agent
Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent is competing in four major categories:
- Best Casting
- Best International Feature Film
- Best Actor (Wagner Moura)
- Best Picture
The achievement places the film among a select group of Brazilian productions to reach this level of recognition and marks one of the strongest Oscar campaigns in the country’s cinematic history.
A Political Thriller Set During Brazil’s Military Dictatorship
Set in 1977, during Brazil’s military dictatorship, The Secret Agent unfolds as a tense political thriller rooted in espionage, surveillance, and paranoia. The story follows an ordinary man who becomes unexpectedly entangled in the machinery of state power, finding himself constantly watched, manipulated, and suspected by authoritarian forces.
By blending genre elements with sharp political commentary, the film explores how institutional violence, fear, and censorship shaped daily life, personal relationships, and collective memory in Brazil. The narrative moves between suspense and irony, incorporating subtle humor and cultural references — including nods to Pernambuco, the director’s home state — while never losing its critical edge.
A Strong Awards Trajectory Leading to the Oscars
The Oscar nominations are the culmination of an impressive international awards run. The Secret Agent premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, where it immediately drew critical acclaim. At Cannes, Kleber Mendonça Filho won Best Director, while Wagner Moura received the Best Actor award.
The film continued to gain momentum throughout the U.S. awards season, earning recognition from major critics’ groups, including the New York Film Critics Circle. Victories at the Critics Choice Awards for Best International Film and at the Golden Globe Awards further strengthened its Oscar campaign.
At the 2026 Golden Globes, the film won Best Non-English Language Film, while Wagner Moura took home the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama — marking the first time Brazil won two awards in a single Golden Globe edition.
Brazil at the 2026 Oscars
In addition to The Secret Agent’s four nominations, Brazil was also present in other Oscar races. Filmmaker Petra Costa was shortlisted in the documentary category with Apocalypse in the Tropics, while Amarela appeared on the short film pre-selection list, though neither advanced to final nominations.
Another Brazilian highlight comes from cinematographer Adolpho Veloso, who received a nomination for Best Cinematography for Train Dreams.
Historically, 16 films produced or co-produced by Brazil have received Oscar nominations. The Secret Agent adds to that legacy as an international co-production between Brazil, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, underscoring the increasingly global nature of Brazilian cinema.
A Landmark Moment for Brazilian Cinema
By matching the record set by City of God and earning a rare Best Picture nomination, The Secret Agent represents a turning point for Brazil’s presence in the world’s most influential film awards. Its success reflects not only artistic excellence but also the growing international appetite for Brazilian stories that confront history, politics, and identity with sophistication and cinematic ambition.
As the 2026 Oscars approach, The Secret Agent stands as one of the most significant Brazilian films of the century — a work that bridges local memory and global recognition, and places Brazil firmly at the center of the international cinema conversation.
Where to Watch The Secret Agent (U.S. & Global)
In Theaters (U.S.)
The Secret Agent is currently only available in movie theaters in the United States. The film opened nationwide on Wednesday, November 26, and tickets can be found via Fandango, which helps you locate showtimes near you.
Global availability may vary by country, but for now the theatrical release remains the primary way to watch the film worldwide.
Is The Secret Agent Streaming?
Not yet. The film is not currently available on streaming platforms.
- Netflix: No
- Amazon Prime Video: Not included with a Prime subscription
Because the film is a release by Neon, it is unlikely to stream on Netflix. Neon has an output deal with Hulu, making Hulu the most likely streaming home in the future.
Watching at Home (Coming Soon)
If you prefer to watch from home, you’ll need to wait a bit longer:
- The film is expected to become available to buy or rent digitally, including on Amazon Prime Video (transactional VOD)
- It is expected to stream on Hulu eventually, though no official release date has been announced yet
For now, The Secret Agent is a theater-only experience. Streaming and digital rental options are expected, but not yet available. If you want to watch it immediately, the big screen is the only way.
