Bessie (2015)

Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews

Survival began with a song

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

• Released: 2015-05-16
• Genres: Drama, Music, TV Movie
• Runtime: 1h 47m
• Status: Released
• TMDB rating: 6.4/10 from 133 votes

Directed by Dee Rees.

Top cast

• Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith
• Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey
• Mike Epps as Richard
• Tika Sumpter as Lucille
• Michael Kenneth Williams as Jack Gee
• Charles S. Dutton as William 'Pa' Rainey
• Bryan Greenberg as John Hammond
• Oliver Platt as Carl Van Vechten
• Khandi Alexander as Viola
• Tory Kittles as Clarence

Full cast & crew

Where to watch Bessie

• United States: stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max; rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home; buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
• United Kingdom: stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Now TV Cinema, HBO Max; rent on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube; buy on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
• India: stream on JioHotstar
• Canada: stream on Crave, Crave Amazon Channel; rent on Google Play Movies, YouTube; buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
• Australia: stream on Foxtel Now, HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel; rent on Fetch TV; buy on Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fetch TV

Movies like Bessie

If you enjoyed Bessie, these movies have a similar feel:

• Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
• Hounddog (2008)
• Cadillac Records (2008)
• Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B (2014)
• Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)
• Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
• Preacher's Kid (2010)
• Born to Be Blue (2015)
• Sarafina! (1992)
• Selena (1997)
• Mo' Better Blues (1990)
• Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018)

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