The history of cinema in Pernambuco began in 1922 and was marked by two important moments for Brazilian regionalist cinema: the Cycle of Recife in the 1920s and the Super 8 Cycle in the 1970s.

The first cinema in Recife was the Pathé, located at 45 Nova St (formerly Barão da Vitória), opening on 27 July 1909. The second  Royal, also situated at 47 Nova St, belonging to the firm Ramos & Co.