Where to stream

Bessie

6.420151h 47mMovieDramaMusicTV Movie

The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.

DirectorDee Rees

WritersDee Rees·Bettina Gilois

ProducersRichard D. Zanuck·Shakim Compere

Where to watch

HBO Max Amazon Channel

HBO Max Amazon Channel HBO Max

HBO Max

Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Dee Rees

Queen Latifah

Mo'Nique

Mike Epps

Tika Sumpter

Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael Kenneth Williams

Charles S. Dutton

Charles S. Dutton

William 'Pa' Rainey

Bryan Greenberg

Bryan Greenberg

Oliver Platt

Carl Van Vechten

Khandi Alexander

Khandi Alexander

Tory Kittles

Kamryn Johnson

Rikki McKinney

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Bessie — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Bessie?

Bessie is streaming on HBO Max in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is Bessie on Netflix?

No, Bessie is not on Netflix in United States as of August 2026. It's currently on HBO Max.

Is Bessie on Amazon Prime Video?

Bessie isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch Bessie for free?

Bessie is available on HBO Max in United States, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.