Walter Salles: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 15
- on screen
- 1989–2025
- box office
- $196M
- nominations
- 2
- average score
- 88
- Born
- April 12, 1956 (age 70)
- Birthplace
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Full name
- Walter Moreira Salles Júnior
- Citizenship
- Brazil
- Occupations
- Film director, producer, editor
- Years active
- 1995-present
- Spouses
- Maria Klabin
- Children
- 2
The Best Walter Salles Movies
The films of Walter Salles that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Dark Water (2005) leads with $68.4M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
-
Worldwide box office: $68.4M Dark Water 2005 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $57.7M The Motorcycle Diaries 2004 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $36.5M I'm Still Here 2025 · Biography -
Worldwide box office: $17.5M Paris, je t'aime 2007 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $9.62M On the Road 2012 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $5.98M Central Station 1998 · Drama
Walter Salles's Career in Numbers
Walter Salles's films in numbers — as a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Walter Salles works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Chico, or the Country of the Lost Delicacy (1989) to I'm Still Here (2025), and the 2000s were the busiest decade.
Walter Salles Movies by Decade
- 1980s 1
- 1990s 4
- 2000s 5
- 2010s 2
- 2020s 1
The 2000s were Walter Salles's busiest decade, with 5 films.
Walter Salles Movies by Genre
- Drama 5
- Documentary 3
- Biography 2
- Adventure 2
- Music 1
Drama is the genre Walter Salles has worked in most, with 5 films, ahead of documentary (3).
Walter Salles Career Milestones
- First film
- Chico, or the Country of the Lost Delicacy 1989
- Biggest box office hit
- Dark Water $68.4M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- I'm Still Here Movie Echo Score 88
- Newest film
- I'm Still Here 2025
Walter Salles Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Walter Salles is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 88. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Movies Directed by Walter Salles
13- 2025 I'm Still Here Biography Worldwide box office: $36.5M Movie Echo Score: 88
- 2016
Jia Zhangke, A guy from Fenyang Biography - 2012 On the Road Adventure Worldwide box office: $9.62M
- 2007
5.557 Miles from Cannes Music - 2007 Paris, je t'aime Drama Worldwide box office: $17.5M
- 2005 Dark Water Drama Worldwide box office: $68.4M
- 2004 The Motorcycle Diaries Adventure Worldwide box office: $57.7M
- 2001
Behind the Sun Drama Worldwide box office: $806K - 1999
Adão ou Somos Todos Filhos da Terra Documentary - 1998 Central Station Drama Worldwide box office: $5.98M
- 1998
Midnight Drama - 1995
Socorro Nobre Documentary - 1989
Chico, or the Country of the Lost Delicacy Documentary
Walter Salles in Documentaries & Specials
2
Walter Salles: Awards & Nominations
2 nominations across 2 award bodies, from 2005 to 2025. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
-
NAACP Image Awards 1 nomination -
Spirit Awards 1 nomination
- 56th NAACP Image Awards
- Walter Salles: Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language I'm Still Here
- 20th Film Independent Spirit Awards
- Walter Salles: Nominated Best Director The Motorcycle Diaries
Who Is Walter Salles?
Walter Salles was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1956 and is 70 years old. Credited on films since 1989, as a director. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Walter Moreira Salles Júnior, known as Walter Salles, is a notable Brazilian filmmaker, born on 12 April 1956 in Rio de Janeiro. He made his mark in cinema with his film 'Terra Estrangeira' ('Foreign Land') in 1995, which was acclaimed locally and selected by over 40 film festivals worldwide. His 1998 film 'Central Station' garnered international acclaim, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, becoming the first Brazilian to win this honour. Salles explored themes of atavistic violence and brotherly love in his 2001 film 'Abril Despedaçado' ('Behind the Sun').
His most significant international success came with the film 'Diarios de Motocicleta' ('The Motorcycle Diaries'). His first non-Portuguese direction, this film on the life of young Ernesto Guevara gained popularity across Latin America and Europe. 2005 saw Salles' first Hollywood production, 'Dark Water'. In 2006, a segment he wrote and directed became part of a collaborative French film, 'Paris, je t'aime'. His 2008 film 'Linha de Passe' was a narrative about four impoverished brothers grappling to realize their dreams and won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite a hiatus, he continues his filmmaking journey, with a release in 2024 titled 'I'm Still Here'('Ainda Estou Aqui'), based on political turmoil during the Brazilian military dictatorship.
Who Walter Salles Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Walter Salles shares the most films with. Gael García Bernal comes first, with 2 films together, followed by Rodrigo De la Serna (2).
Walter Salles: Questions & Answers
How many movies Walter Salles has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Walter Salles been in?
Walter Salles is credited on 15 films, from 1989 to 2025. All of them as a director. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Walter Salles's highest-grossing movie?
Dark Water (2005) is Walter Salles's biggest box office hit, with $68.4M worldwide, ahead of The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) ($57.7M). Across every film with box office figures, Walter Salles's movies have made $196M.
Walter Salles's biggest hits What is the best Walter Salles movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Walter Salles's best-rated film is I'm Still Here (2025) with a score of 88.
Best Walter Salles movies, ranked Has Walter Salles won an Oscar?
Walter Salles has not been nominated for an Oscar. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Walter Salles has 0 wins from 2 nominations.
How old is Walter Salles?
Walter Salles is 70 years old, born on April 12, 1956 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What is Walter Salles's newest movie?
The most recent film on Walter Salles's filmography is I'm Still Here (2025), which Walter Salles directed.
Who does Walter Salles work with most often?
Walter Salles shares the most films with Gael García Bernal (2 films), Rodrigo De la Serna (2 films) and Tom Tykwer (2 films).
The Best Walter Salles Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 15 directing credits.
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