From gritty dramas to hit movies — is STARZ right for you?
From gritty dramas to hit movies — is STARZ right for you?
With crime sagas like “Power” and blockbuster films, STARZ packs a surprising punch.
![. If you’re wondering what exactly [STARZ] is, how to get it, and whether it’s worth signing up for, here’s everything you need to know.](https://thestreamable.com/media/pages/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-starz/2dc7e736a9-1756344303/everything-you-need-to-know-about-starz.jpg)
I recently wrote about how STARZ absolutely crushes gritty crime dramas like “Power”, “BMF,” and “Hightown,” (you can check that article here). But the truth is, there’s way more to STARZ than just street-level thrills and crime sagas. The streamer’s also got a huge lineup of original hits, fan-favorite movies, and plenty of content you might not even realize is included – all at a very competitive price for a premium streamer. If you’re wondering what exactly STARZ is, how to get it, and whether it’s worth signing up for, here’s everything you need to know.
Everything you need to know about STARZ
What is STARZ?
STARZ is one of those premium streaming services that doesn’t always get the spotlight — especially compared to big shots like Max or Paramount+. But it’s quietly built a loyal following thanks to standout original shows, addictive crime dramas, and a surprisingly deep movie library. What makes STARZ great is that it skips the cable box entirely if you want to: for about $11 per month, you get full access to the STARZ channel lineup without any cable or satellite commitments. That means tons of ad-free streaming, downloads for offline watching, and no extra equipment needed.
The one thing I love about STARZ is that it knows exactly what it’s good at: bold, edgy storytelling and big, bingeable series you can’t find anywhere else. It doesn’t really bother with documentaries, reality TV, or sports — that’s Max and SHOWTIME’s turf. Instead, STARZ loads up on originals and movies, mixing brand-new flicks with classics going back decades, including a huge collection of vintage Westerns.
Getting started with STARZ is super simple, too. If you’re already using Prime Video, you can add STARZ as an extra channel with just a couple of clicks — no new passwords or apps to mess with. Or you can sign up directly through STARZ’s own app and stream on any device you’ve got handy. And keep an eye out for deals because STARZ has a reputation for giving viewers a great price to get back into the STARZ world.
STARZ
STARZ offers a subscription video streaming service that gives access to content on the STARZ channel without the need of a cable subscription. With your subscription, you’ll get access to 7,500+ films and episodes, including all of their current originals like “Outlander,” The Serpent Queen,” “BMF,” and “Power.”
How much does STARZ cost?
STARZ starts at $11 per month when you sign up through Prime Video — and that gets you a seven-day free trial. But keep an eye out for deals, because at the time of this writing, you can grab it for just $2 a month for your first three months, then it jumps back up to the regular price of $11 per month after that. It’s a great opportunity to dive in and explore everything STARZ has to offer at a super low price.
What original TV shows can you watch on STARZ?
When “Power” premiered on STARZ, it didn’t just find an audience — it built an entire universe. Created by Courtney Kemp and executive produced by 50 Cent, the series follows James “Ghost” St. Patrick, a New York nightclub owner secretly running the city’s biggest drug operation. What started as one gripping crime saga quickly expanded into spin-offs, each with its own angle: “Power Book II: Ghost” puts Ghost’s son Tariq front and center, navigating college life and his father’s dangerous legacy; “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” rewinds the clock, exploring the gritty ‘90s upbringing of fan-favorite Kanan Stark; and “Power Book IV: Force” breaks new ground entirely, following Tommy Egan’s ruthless rise in Chicago’s cutthroat underworld. Each spin-off keeps the addictive mix of tension, twists, and explosive action alive, proving that STARZ is still the king of street-level crime drama.
When it comes to gritty crime stories, “BMF” hits differently. Inspired by the real-life rise of the infamous Black Mafia Family, the show centers on Detroit brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory as they hustle their way from the city’s tough streets in the late ‘80s to controlling one of America’s biggest drug rings. Unlike flashy, twist-driven crime shows, “BMF” digs deep into loyalty, brotherhood, and what success really costs.
The storytelling feels raw and grounded, like you’re watching history unfold in real time. Demetrius Flenory Jr., playing his own father, brings a compelling authenticity that amps up the emotion and tension of every scene. It’s more than just another crime drama — it’s about how far you’ll go for family, respect, and power, and the devastating consequences when lines get crossed.
If you’re in the mood for a tense thriller with a dark twist, give “The Couple Next Door” a shot. The series follows a young couple who relocate to what seems like the perfect suburban neighborhood. They quickly strike up a close friendship with their new neighbors — but things soon take a twisted and unsettling turn. It’s the kind of show that peels back the shiny surface of suburban life, revealing the dangerous secrets hiding beneath. With sharp writing, tight suspense, and characters you’re never quite sure you can trust, “The Couple Next Door” keeps you guessing until the end.
Finally, If you’re in the mood for epic romance, history, and a little bit of fantasy all rolled into one, then “Outlander” is exactly your kind of show. Now in its seventh season, this fan-favorite series follows Claire Randall, a nurse from the 1940s who’s mysteriously thrown back in time to 18th-century Scotland. She meets and falls deeply in love with Jamie Fraser, a rugged Highland warrior, and together they navigate war, rebellion, and family drama across different eras. It’s big, sweeping storytelling filled with adventure, passion, and emotional twists that’ll keep you glued to your screen. If you haven’t jumped into “Outlander” yet, there’s plenty to binge — just be ready to get hooked.
Check out more of STARZ’s original TV shows below:
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Spartacus
January 22, 2010Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment.
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Sweetpea
October 10, 2024Rhiannon Lewis doesn’t make much of an impression - people walk past her in the street without a second glance. That is until she is pushed over the edge and loses control. Rhiannon’s life transforms, but can she keep her killer secret?
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Black Sails
January 25, 2014The pirate adventures of Captain Flint and his men twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island.” Flint, the most brilliant and most feared pirate captain of his day, takes on a fast-talking young addition to his crew who goes by the name John Silver. Threatened with extinction on all sides, they fight for the survival of New Providence Island, the most notorious criminal haven of its day – a debauched paradise teeming with pirates, prostitutes, thieves and fortune seekers, a place defined by both its enlightened ideals and its stunning brutality.
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Three Women
September 13, 2024Three women from different walks of life take radical steps to explore their true desires, while struggling to emerge from a prison of expectations. A writer, grieving her own loss, persuades each of them to tell her their stories.
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Party Down
March 20, 2009A group of struggling actors and dysfunctional dreamers wait for their big break while they are stuck serving hors d’oeurves for a Hollywood catering company ‘Party Down.’
Canceled too soon, this workplace comedy features a stellar cast (Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, Ken Marino, and Martin Starr) with a different guest star each episode. Cameos include Kevin Hart, J.K. Simmons, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Coolidge, Matt Walsh, Patrick Duffy, Josh Gad, George Takei, Rob Corddry, Paul Scheer, Steve Guttenberg, Steven Weber, Rick Fox, Enrico Colantoni, Ed Begley Jr., and Ken Jeong. It’s rare you’ll see a show where every actor is having this much fun.
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Mary & George
March 5, 2024In 17th century England, Mary Villiers molds her beautiful son, George, to seduce King James I, intending to gain riches and influence through outrageous schemes.
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The Serpent Queen
September 11, 2022Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she’s unable to concieve. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.
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Power
June 7, 2014A successful New York entrepreneur lives a double life as the head of a drug empire that serves only the rich and influential, all while wanting to escape the underworld and keep his family safe.
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BMF
September 26, 2021The drug trafficking drama is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in the country. It revolves around brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, who together took their vision beyond the drug trade and into the world of hip-hop. The drama, per Starz, will tell a story about love, family and capitalism in the pursuit of the American dream.
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Hightown
May 17, 2020Amid the drug trade on Cape Cod, a body washes ashore and is discovered by an irreverent National Marine Fisheries Service officer, Jackie Quinones, who is determined to help solve the murder even if the state cops want her nowhere near the case.
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Power Book II: Ghost
September 6, 2020Picking up just days after the “Power” finale, this sequel series follows Tariq navigating his new life, in which his desire to shed his father’s legacy comes up against the mounting pressure to save his family.
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Power Book III: Raising Kanan
July 18, 2021Set in South Jamaica, Queens, in 1991, this prequel to “Power” revolves around the coming of age of Kanan Stark.
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Power Book IV: Force
February 6, 2022Tommy Egan leaves New York behind and plans to take on Chicago, using his outsider status to break all the local rules and rewrite them on his quest to become the biggest drug dealer in the city.
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The Couple Next Door
November 27, 2023Evie and Pete move into an upscale neighborhood and find themselves in a world of curtain twitching and status anxiety. They find friendship in the shape of the couple next door, alpha traffic cop Danny and his wife, glamorous yoga instructor Becka, but after Danny and Evie share a passionate night together there is trouble ahead.
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Outlander
August 9, 2014The story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
What movies can you watch on STARZ?
STARZ isn’t just about binge-worthy original series — it’s also packed with movies, thanks in part to being owned by Lionsgate, which means you’ll see plenty of their latest hits pop up. A great example is “The Killer’s Game,” a darkly comedic thriller about Joe Flood, a top assassin who, after finding out he’s terminally ill, hires a group of hitmen to take him out.
But things quickly spiral out of control when his hired guns also go after his ex-girlfriend, forcing him into a chaotic fight for survival. It’s fast-paced, funny, and action-packed, blending sharp humor with explosive set pieces. If you like your thrillers with a bit of dark comedy and plenty of twists, this one’s worth checking out.
If you’re into tense, unsettling horror, “Never Let Go” is one to add to your STARZ queue. The story kicks off after a mysterious evil force sweeps across the world, leaving a mother and her twin sons trapped inside their home, tied together – literally — for safety. But as the days go on, one of the boys starts doubting if the threat outside is even real, forcing the family to face chilling questions about trust, sanity, and their unbreakable bond. It’s a creepy, psychological ride that builds dread in all the right ways, perfect if you’re looking for a horror flick that gets under your skin and stays there.
If you’re all about action-packed movies with over-the-top stunts and nonstop thrills, “Fast X” just landed on STARZ, proving the streamer always keeps things fresh with new blockbuster arrivals. This latest chapter follows Dom Toretto and his crew facing off against a ruthless enemy from the past, who’s determined to destroy everything — and everyone — that Dom cares about. As you’d expect, the stakes (and the action) are higher than ever, packed with jaw-dropping car chases, explosive set pieces, and the “family above all” heart that makes the “Fast & Furious” series a favorite. If big-screen thrills at home sound good, this one’s ready to roll.
Finally, if you’re looking for an intense drama with real-world stakes, “1992” is one to add to your STARZ list. Set against the explosive backdrop of the Los Angeles riots, it follows Mercer, a father struggling to reconnect with his son amid the chaos overtaking their city. Across town, another father-and-son duo is facing their own complicated past while planning a dangerous heist — one that’ll collide with Mercer’s life in ways nobody expects. As the city burns and tensions boil over, both families hit their breaking points, delivering a gripping story about relationships, desperation, and how far you’ll go when everything’s on the line.
Here are some of the other big, epic movies on STARZ:
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Greedy People
August 23, 2024The eclectic residents of a small, picturesque island town must navigate a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars, leading to a series of increasingly bad decisions which upend the once-peaceful community.
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Reagan
August 29, 2024Told through the voice of former KGB agent Viktor Petrovich, whose life becomes inextricably linked with Ronald Reagan’s when Reagan first caught the Soviets’ attention as an actor in Hollywood, Reagan overcomes the odds to become the 40th president of the United States.
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Catching Dust
August 23, 2024A criminal husband and his wife hide in a lone trailer. Exhausted by her husbands controlling ways, she decides to leave. But then a trailer arrives with a couple which creates dangerous consequences for them all.
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Human Resources
August 14, 2021After starting a job at an eerie hardware store, an anxious young man uncovers a shocking mystery that leads to a fight against terrifying forces that lurk just behind the walls.
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The Crow
August 21, 2024Soulmates Eric and Shelly are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.
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Borderlands
August 7, 2024Returning to her home planet, an infamous bounty hunter forms an unexpected alliance with a team of unlikely heroes. Together, they battle monsters and dangerous bandits to protect a young girl who holds the key to unimaginable power.
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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
April 18, 2024During World War II, the British Army assigns a group of competent soldiers to carry out a mission against the Nazi forces behind enemy lines… A true story about a secret British WWII organization — the Special Operations Executive. Founded by Winston Churchill, their irregular warfare against the Germans helped to change the course of the war, and gave birth to modern black operations.
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Arthur the King
February 22, 2024Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.
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The Killer's Game
September 12, 2024When top hitman Joe Flood is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decides to take matters into his own hands – by taking a hit out on himself. But when the very hitmen he hired also target his ex-girlfriend, he must fend off an army of assassin colleagues and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.
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Never Let Go
September 18, 2024As an evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother and her twin sons is their house and their family’s protective bond.
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Fast X
May 17, 2023Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
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1992
August 29, 2024In 1992, Mercer is desperately trying to rebuild his life and his relationship with his son amidst the turbulent Los Angeles uprising following the Rodney King verdict. Across town, another father and son put their own strained relationship to the test as they plot a dangerous heist to steal catalytic converters, which contain valuable platinum from the factory where Mercer works. As tensions rise and chaos erupts, both families reach their boiling points when their worlds collide.
What platforms can you use to watch STARZ?
You can watch STARZ on plenty of devices, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast (Google Cast), Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, Xbox, LG Smart TV (AirPlay), Samsung Smart TV (AirPlay), Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast).