Nightjohn poster
Where to stream

Nightjohn

6.219961h 32mMovieDramaTV Movie

John is a man of many talents, including one forbidden skill: he can read. When he teaches a young slave girl named Sarny to read and write, she learns an unforgettable lesson about the power of words and the true meaning of freedom.

DirectorCharles Burnett
WriterBill Cain
ProducerDennis Stuart Murphy

Where to watch

Not streaming yet
Check back soon

Nightjohn was released on June 1, 1996 but we couldn't find it on any streaming service yet. Rights can change — try again later.

Get the app to be notified

Cast · Directed by Charles Burnett

BBBeau Bridges
Beau Bridges
Clel Waller
CLCarl Lumbly
Carl Lumbly
Nightjohn
BCBill Cobbs
Bill Cobbs
Old man
KYKathleen York
Kathleen York
Callie Waller
GCGabriel Casseus
Gabriel Casseus
Outlaw
TNTom Nowicki
Tom Nowicki
Dr. Chamberlain
JT
Joel Traywick
Jeff Waller
AJ
Allison Jones
Sarny
PM
Patty Mack
Evelyn
DD
Deborah Duke
Lethe
DNDanny Nelson
Danny Nelson
Reverend Osee Rush
MF
Monica Ford
Egypt

More from Beau Bridges · Lead actor

American Dad!
American Dad!
2005 · 7.0
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
2004 · 7.9
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
1997 · 8.3
Bonanza
Bonanza
1959 · 7.5
The Closer
The Closer
2005 · 7.8
The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits
1995 · 7.7
Homeland
Homeland
2011 · 7.6
Will & Grace
Will & Grace
1998 · 6.9
The Fugitive
The Fugitive
1963 · 7.3
American Playhouse
American Playhouse
1982 · 6.6
See all fromBeau Bridges

More from Carl Lumbly · Co-star actor

Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
2005 · 8.2
Family Guy
Family Guy
1999 · 7.4
NCIS
NCIS
2003 · 7.6
NCIS: Los Angeles
NCIS: Los Angeles
2009 · 7.5
S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T.
2017 · 8.0
The X-Files
The X-Files
1993 · 8.4
The West Wing
The West Wing
1999 · 8.3
This Is Us
This Is Us
2016 · 8.2
Chicago Hope
Chicago Hope
1994 · 7.2
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
2008 · 7.6
See all fromCarl Lumbly

More from Charles Burnett · Director

Independent Lens
Independent Lens
1999 · 6.6
The Blues
The Blues
2003 · 7.5
The Glass Shield
The Glass Shield
1994 · 5.2
Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation
Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation
2007 · 6.0
The Annihilation of Fish
The Annihilation of Fish
1999 · 6.3
To Sleep with Anger
To Sleep with Anger
1990 · 6.8
42 One Dream Rush
42 One Dream Rush
2010 · 6.0
The Wedding
The Wedding
1998 · 8.2
Selma, Lord, Selma
Selma, Lord, Selma
1999 · 7.2
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property
2003 · 6.4
See all fromCharles Burnett

More like this

Girl in the Box
Girl in the Box
2016 · 6.7
Heaven
Heaven
2019 · 6.2
A Little Princess
A Little Princess
1995 · 7.6
The Miracle Worker
The Miracle Worker
2000 · 7.2
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
1996 · 7.1
Return to Zero
Return to Zero
2014 · 6.6
Cheaters
Cheaters
2000 · 6.3
Inherit the Wind
Inherit the Wind
1999 · 6.3
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables
2016 · 7.2
The Adventures of Huck Finn
The Adventures of Huck Finn
1993 · 6.2
The Birth of a Nation
The Birth of a Nation
2016 · 6.6
Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies
1963 · 6.7

Nightjohn — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Nightjohn?

Nightjohn isn't streaming anywhere in United States yet.

Is Nightjohn on Netflix?

No, Nightjohn is not on Netflix in United States as of October 2026.

Is Nightjohn on Amazon Prime Video?

No, Nightjohn isn't on Amazon Prime Video in United States right now.

Where can I watch Nightjohn for free?

Nightjohn isn't streaming in United States yet, so there's no way to watch it free at the moment.

What is the OTT release date for Nightjohn?

Nightjohn hasn't started streaming in United States yet. Based on the typical 6–8 week theatrical-to-streaming window, we estimate it will arrive around July 20, 1996. This is a prediction, not a confirmed date.