Skip to main content
Celluloid
RomanceDrama Marrakech 2009

Black Orpheus

Directed by Marcel Camus · 1959 ·

Short answer

Is Black Orpheus worth watching?

Yes. Black Orpheus (1959) earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

81%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

88% Editorial Rating
82% Audience snapshot · excluded
81 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4
7.5 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 40m
Age rating
PG (US) · 15 (South Korea) · G (Japan)
Cast
Breno Mello , Marpessa Dawn , Lourdes de Oliveira
Streaming
HBO Max, The Criterion Channel
Country
Brazil
Language
Portuguese

Also known as Orfeu Negro Orfeo negro 黒いオルフェ 흑인 오르페 黑人奥菲尔 Orpheus Bất Hạnh

Where to watch

  • HBO Max
  • The Criterion Channel

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Black Orpheus by country

Country Streaming on
Japan Prime Video, U-NEXT
United Kingdom BFI Player
United States HBO Max, The Criterion Channel

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (88/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (82%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (81/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
  • Celluloid Score 81% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded romance, drama pick
  • Short runtime — easy weeknight watch

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Black Orpheus worth watching?

    Yes — Black Orpheus earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded romance, drama pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Camus' sun-drenched Palme d'Or winner introduced bossa nova and Brazilian joy to global audiences.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is Black Orpheus about?

    During Rio's Carnival, a trolley motorman and a village girl fall in love in a favela retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Black Orpheus

    Black Orpheus (1959) Review: Myth Set to a Bossa Nova Beat

    Black Orpheus is Marcel Camus's Palme d'Or-winning retelling of the Orpheus myth at Rio's Carnival, a dazzling romance whose bossa nova score still enchants.

    Yes. It is a gorgeous, music-drenched romance and a landmark of world cinema, best for viewers who can enjoy its magic while noticing its outsider's view of Rio.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Black Orpheus stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Black Orpheus production still 1
    Black Orpheus production still 2
    Black Orpheus production still 3
    Black Orpheus production still 4
    Black Orpheus production still 5
    Black Orpheus production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Black Orpheus: frequently asked questions

    Is Black Orpheus worth watching?

    Yes. Black Orpheus (1959) has a Celluloid Score of 81%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Black Orpheus?

    In the United States, Black Orpheus streams on HBO Max, The Criterion Channel with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home. Elsewhere: Prime Video, U-NEXT in Japan; BFI Player in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Black Orpheus?

    Black Orpheus runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

    What is Black Orpheus rated?

    Black Orpheus is rated PG in the United States, 15 in South Korea and G in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Black Orpheus?

    Black Orpheus is directed by Marcel Camus and stars Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn, Lourdes de Oliveira.

    What is the Metascore for Black Orpheus?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Black Orpheus is 81 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

    More Like This

    Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score. More movies like Black Orpheus →