RIO DE JANEIRO — Netflix is ramping up its investment in Brazilian content with the announcement of 10 new productions, including a spin-off of hit series Sintonia, documentaries on soccer legends Ronaldinho and Neymar, and a scripted series based on Brazil’s largest radioactive accident.
The streaming giant revealed the lineup on Monday ahead of the Rio2C creativity conference in Rio de Janeiro. Major Brazilian production companies such as Gullane, O2 Filmes, and Boutique Filmes are attached to the projects, along with top directors including Fernando Coimbra (A Wolf at the Door).
Netflix, which does not release country-specific subscriber numbers, is estimated by Omdia to have 20.6 million paid subscribers in Brazil — its second-largest market globally, ahead of the U.K., Germany, and France.
Brazilian Content Aims for Global Appeal
While few Brazilian shows have reached international popularity — Senna being a notable exception — some titles are gaining global traction. According to PlumResearch, Desperate Lies, Burning Betrayal, Good Morning, Veronica, and Bionic are among the Brazilian titles drawing global viewership in 2024.
Netflix aims to expand that impact through bold new storytelling and diverse genres. “We want to offer variety to a diverse audience and develop new stories in Brazil,” said Higia Ikeda, head of Netflix Brazil’s film division.
Six Key Focus Areas
Genre Expansion: Includes the first Latin American wildlife documentary Marcha das Onças and horror film Fazenda Colonial by an all-female team.
Reality Show Growth: New titles like Meu Namorado Coreano reflect increased audience demand for reality content.
High Production Standards: Series like Fúria emphasize authentic fight choreography and detailed set design.
Advanced Technology: Brazil 70 – A Saga do Tri uses VFX to recreate iconic soccer moments from 1970.
Local Relevance, Global Potential: Focuses on stories that resonate emotionally with Brazilian audiences and appeal internationally.
Real-Life Inspired Thrillers: Seven of the ten new productions are based on true events or figures.
The 10 New Netflix Brazil Productions
Scripted Series
Emergência Radiactiva (Fernando Coimbra, Gullane): Based on the 1987 Goiânia radioactive disaster, showcasing a race against time to contain the damage.
Fúria (José Henrique Fonseca, Zola Filmes): A drama about an amnesiac MMA fighter caught in a criminal underworld.
Brazil 70 – A Saga do Tri (Pedro and Paolo Morelli, O2 Filmes): Chronicles Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup win using dramatization and VFX-enhanced footage.
Reality Show
Meu Namorado Coreano (Floresta): Follows five Brazilian women exploring relationships in South Korea.
Documentaries
Ronaldinho Bio-Doc (Trailer Films, Canal Films): A look at the life and career of the soccer legend with exclusive footage.
Untitled Neymar-Santos Doc (Improbable, Ginga Pictures): Covers Neymar’s return to his first club, Santos FC.
Marcha das Onças (Duo2, Bonne Pioche): A wildlife film about jaguar conservation in Brazil’s Pantanal region.
Films
Uma Garota de Classe (Vellas, Boutique Filmes): A fictionalized thriller based on the Elize Matsunaga case.
Sintonia: Nando Spin-Off (Johnny Araújo, Gullane): Continues the story of Nando following the conclusion of the Sintonia series.
Fazenda Colonial (Marcela Mariz, Renata di Carmo): A horror film that explores Brazil’s colonial past and modern-day social issues.
Commitment to Brazilian Industry
Netflix reiterated its commitment to local production. “We are investing in the development of Brazil’s storytelling talent and creating content that resonates locally and globally,” the company said.
With most of the newly announced projects inspired by real events, Netflix is betting on authenticity and cultural depth to continue its success in Brazil and beyond.
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