Those viewers who are wondering what there is to watch onStarzwill be glad to know the streaming app has a large library of notable original TV shows and classic movies to pick from. Starz isn’t exactly astreaming service that’s completely unknown, but it’s certainly not as recognizable as notable platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and the like. Starz is the network branch of Starz Entertainment that launched in 1994 as a competitor to HBO and Encore. As those channels began to provide original programming, so too did Starz.
Then, when streaming began to take off, Starz once again followed suit, releasing the Starz ap,p and, for the first time, a wide audience could access their premium collection of shows and movies. For only $10.99/month or $69.99/year, users can create a Starz account, and the first three months or the first year are heavily discounted as well.While Starz’s original programming has never received the accolades of the HBO brand, it still includes some amazing series worth subscribing for, and that is without even mentioning the acclaimed films it has on rotation.
Spartacus
Cast
Spartacus (2010) follows the titular character as he is torn from his homeland and separated from his beloved. Condemned to the brutal world of the arena, Spartacus faces a life where blood and death are the main spectacle for entertainment.
Another of the first Starz original TV shows,Spartacusshowed what the service was capable of. The four-season show is based around the historical figure, Spartacus (Andy Whitfield, season 1 and prequel; Liam McIntyre, seasons 2-3), and depicts his early life in obscurity up until he became the leader of a gladiator revolt.Spartacusis notGame of Thronesin terms of story and character, but it still has plenty of jaw-dropping action moments, bombastic sequences, and sizzling romances to keep mature viewers invested.
Outlander
Outlander follows Claire Randall, a married nurse from 1945, who is transported back to 1743 Scotland. Amidst political intrigue and danger, she navigates life in the past and becomes torn between loyalty to her husband and the love for a dashing young warrior.
Based on Diana Gabaldon’s historical fiction series of the same name,Outlanderis a seven-season showthat stars Caitríona Balfe as Claire Randall, a former World War II military nurse who is transported back in time to 1743. There, she falls in love with a Scottish Highlander named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and becomes embroiled in the Jacobite rising and other significant historical events of the 18th century.Outlandermay be the quintessential Starz TV show, mixing sex, action, and a commitment to high production in one exciting package.
Howards End
Set in early 20th century England, Howards End explores social and class divisions through the intertwined lives of three families: the affluent Wilcoxes, the idealistic Schlegels, and the lower-middle-class Basts. The series delves into themes of wealth, class, and human connections in a rapidly changing society.
The four-partHowards End, based on the 1910 novel by E. M. Forster, is a Starz period drama. Set in England during the turn of the 20th century, the series follows the changing social and class landscapes that are in upheaval. The story is told through three families: the idealistic and academic Schlegels; the wealthy, business-minded Wilcoxes; and the working-class Basts. While it may be a somewhat superficial retelling of Forster’s book,there’s no denying the beauty of the production, nor the excellence of the cast, which includes Hayley Atwell and Matthew Macfadyen.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Following the events of Chapter 3 - Parabellum, John Wick Chapter 4 will see the titular character battle against some of his most dangerous foes yet. With a bounty on his head that continues to skyrocket, John decides to take the fight to the High Table on a global scale and battles across areas like Osaka and Paris to wipe out some of the strongest players in the underworld.
The supposed final film in theJohn Wickfranchise,John Wick: Chapter 4, closes the book on the titular legendary hitman played byKeanu Reeves in one of his best performances.John Wick: Chapter 4is set six months after the events of the previous film and sees John preparing to exact his vengeance on the members of the High Table. In order to stop John, the Table presses a blind former assassin, Caine (Donnie Yen), into service under threat of his daughter’s death. Old friends become foes, and the action and direction is the best of the whole franchise.
Gaslit
The Watergate political scandal of the 1970s. When the break-in happens, Martha Mitchell’s story takes a turn, and the choices she makes put her reputation on the line and threaten her marriage.
Gaslitis a Starz limited series set in early 1972 and follows the Watergate scandal, as told through several individuals who found themselves tangentially related to the incident. Julia Roberts stars as Martha Mitchell, the “Mouth from the South” and wife to Nixon’s Attorney General John Mitchell (Sean Penn). Martha was famously blunt to the press during the scandal and eventually blew the whistle on some of Nixon’s dealings. The series was nominated for four Emmys and one Golden Globe, with Roberts' performance being the standout.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, follows Steve Rogers as he adapts to contemporary life while confronting a new adversary, the mysterious Winter Soldier, amidst internal threats to S.H.I.E.L.D. The film explores themes of trust and loyalty as Rogers teams up with allies to uncover hidden conspiracies.
Arguably one ofthe best movies the MCU ever produced,Captain America: The Winter Soldiercombines the action, quips, and heart of the comic book films with the intelligence and realism of classic spy thrillers. The second stand-aloneCaptain Americamovie,The Winter Soldier, sees Cap (Chris Evans) uncovering a Hydra conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. that puts him and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) up against the mysterious assassin, the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Suspenseful and timely, it’s one of the most mature MCU films.
BMF
BMF is a crime drama series created by Randy Huggins, centering on the rise of the Flenory brothers, who established one of the most influential crime families in America during the late 1980s in Detroit. The show explores themes of family, loyalty, and the quest for the American Dream amid the challenges of their illicit business operations.
BMF, orBlack Mafia Family, is based on the true story of Demetrius Big “Meech” Flenory (Demetrius Flenory Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), two brothers who founded the influential Black Mafia Family in 1980s Detroit, Michigan. Big Meech’s charisma and leadership combined with Southwest T’s business acumen leads to a partnership that’s both satisfying and causes for some intriguing drama.The series is a sprawling gangster epic that gives an inside look into criminal capitalismas well as family love and betrayal.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth chronicles the early reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, portrayed by Cate Blanchett. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, the film delves into the political intrigue, religious turmoil, and personal challenges faced by the young queen as she transitions from a threatened monarch to a powerful ruler. The cast includes Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham and Joseph Fiennes as Robert Dudley, offering a blend of historical drama and intense personal conflict.
The 1998 historical biopicElizabethwas many audiences' first introduction to Cate Blanchett, and she left quite the impression. The film is based onthe early years of Queen Elizabeth I of England, right after she was put on the throne following the death of Mary I “Bloody Mary”. Her throne is far from secure, however, and she must face down threats from within and without.Elizabethearned seven Academy Award nominations and won for Best Makeup. It’s a truly epic biopic with a mesmerizing performance at its center that earned a sequel in 2007.
Minx
Set in 1970s Los Angeles, Minx centers on a young feminist who works to create the first erotic magazine for women. HBO’s Minx stars Ophelia Lovibond as Joyce Prigger and Jake Johnson as Doug Renetti. After the series was canceled by HBO in the middle of filming season 2, Starz picked up the show.
InMinx, a young feminist in 1970s Los Angeles, Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond), joins forces with an adult entertainment publisher, Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson) to create America’s first women’s erotic magazine. At first at odds in both goals and temperament, Doug and Joyce forge an unlikely and strong alliance that helps them discover more about themselves through their work. Extremely sharp and filled with hilariously lewd moments,Minxis an extremely fun series. The chemistry between Lovibond and Johnson is as powerful as anything on screen.
Nightcrawler
Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler follows petty thief Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) after he learns of a potentially lucrative job opportunity selling footage of violent events to local media outlets. Lou becomes a “stringer” - a freelance journalist who captures and records footage for news stations - and finds that the profession sucks him into the most dangerous parts of Los Angeles. Drawn deeper into his dark obsession, Lou becomes increasingly fixated with violence and crime.
InNightcrawler, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Louis “Lou” Bloom, an unhinged freelance photojournalist who is inspired to film more and more grisly crime scenes and accidents to increase his profile in the local news world. As his star rises, Lou begins interacting with crime scenes himself to get the best footage. An unnerving film,Nightcrawlermay be one of Gyllenhaal’s best performances as the unstable Lou, whose smile is unnaturally wide and his eyes unnaturally devoid of emotion. It’s a discomforting but enthralling ride through ego and modern American journalism.
