Black Orpheus (1959): cast, story & where to watch
1959 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1959, Black Orpheus is a fantasy, drama, romance and music film directed by Marcel Camus, running about 100 minutes. “The film that introduced Bossa Nova to the world...” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Young lovers Orfeu and Eurydice run through the favelas of Rio during Carnaval, on the lam from a hitman dressed like Death and Orfeu's vengeful fiancée Mira and passing between moments of fantasy and stark reality. This impressionistic retelling of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice introduced bossa nova to the world with its soundtrack by young Brazilian composers Luiz Bonfá and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Who’s in it. Black Orpheus stars Breno Mello as Orfeo, Marpessa Dawn as Eurydice, Lourdes de Oliveira as Mira and Léa Garcia as Serafina, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Black Orpheus has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Black Orpheus page.
If you liked it. Fans of Black Orpheus tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Black Orpheus (1959)?
- In US, Black Orpheus is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Black Orpheus worth watching?
- Black Orpheus holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, drama, romance and music. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Black Orpheus?
- Black Orpheus stars Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn, Lourdes de Oliveira, Léa Garcia and Adhemar Ferreira da Silva.
- When was Black Orpheus released?
- Black Orpheus was released in 1959, with a runtime of about 100 minutes.