Brazilian Cinema Shows Up for Latinos at the 2026 Oscar Nominations

Brazilian cinema made history at the 2026 Academy Awards, led by the breakout success of The Secret Agent, but it was far from the country's only moment of recognition this year.

The political thriller film, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring acclaimed actor Wagner Moura, emerged as one of the most celebrated international titles of the season, earning four nominations, including a highly coveted nod for Moura in Best Actor.

While The Secret Agent was widely expected to compete in Best International Feature Film, and hopes were high for Moura's inclusion, the real surprise came with the film's presence in the Best Picture lineup and the newly created Best Casting category. The recognition marked a rare and significant achievement for a South American film centered on the brutality of Brazil's military dictatorship.

Moura's awards trajectory further cemented his standing in Hollywood. After losing at the Critics Choice Awards but securing a win at the Golden Globes, the Brazilian actor has emerged as one of the most visible Latin American performers in the industry. His momentum recalls, and in some ways surpasses, the attention generated last year by Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, whose performance in I'm Still Here drew international acclaim.

Brazil's Oscar presence this year also extended behind the camera. The Academy recognized cinematographer Adolpho Veloso, who received an individual nomination for his work on Train Dreams. Veloso's nomination places him in a select group of Brazilian technicians to reach the Oscars, following earlier milestones such as César Charlone, previously nominated for City of God.

Despite Brazil's success, the 2026 Oscars also delivered disappointments for the broader Latin American community. Argentina was left out of the International Feature Film category when Belén, directed by Dolores Fonzi, failed to secure a nomination.

Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro experienced a bittersweet morning. Although Frankenstein earned nine nominations, including Best Picture, del Toro himself was excluded from the Best Director category.

Music also brought disappointment to Latino fandoms. The song performed by Shakira for Zootopia 2 did not make the Best Original Song shortlist, frustrating fans who had hoped to see her return to the Oscar stage as a performer.

Still, the Spanish-speaking world had much to celebrate. Spain secured a strong presence, with Sirat nominated for Best International Feature Film, while Benicio del Toro and Jacob Elordi, whose grandfather was from Spain, are both competing for Best Supporting Actor, reinforcing the continued impact of Hispanic and Ibero-American talent at the Academy Awards.