20 Best Drama Movies on Starz 2026
Find drama, crime, thriller, and history picks with this roundup of Starz titles, including Hostiles, Marshall, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and more.
If you’re browsing for the best drama movies on Starz, this list gives you a strong mix of tense thrillers, true-story-inspired films, and character-driven stories. You’ll find titles like The Talented Mr. Ripley, Marshall, Hostiles, and Any Given Sunday alongside darker picks such as Tales from the Hood and Speak No Evil. There’s also room for music, mystery, and crime-focused drama with Michael, The Raven, and The Devil You Know. Whether you want something historical, suspenseful, or emotionally heavy, these picks cover a wide range of moods without leaving the drama lane.
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01
In the Grey
action · crime · drama · thriller
A covert team of elite operatives are living in the shadows. When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, they're sent to take it back—an impossible heist that erupts into a deadly game of strategy, deception and survival.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime-driven dramas with a strong suspense angle, this one may fit your mood. Its covert-ops setup and high-stakes heist premise lean toward strategy and survival.
Directed by Guy RitchieCast Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza González, Carlos Bardem, Michael VuStarzMore details on IMDb → -
02
Michael
drama · history · music & musical
The early life of musician Michael Jackson, from the discovery of his talent as the lead of the Jackson Five to the artist whose creative ambition fueled a pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.
Why watch: If you like dramas built around music and ambition, this title is a natural match. The story follows Michael Jackson’s early life and rise, with history and musical elements woven in.
Directed by Antoine FuquaCast Jaafar Jackson, Juliano Valdi, Colman Domingo, Jayden Harville, Jaylen Lyndon HunterStarzMore details on IMDb → -
03
Hostiles
drama · western
A legendary Native American-hating Army captain nearing retirement in 1892 is given one last assignment: to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory back to his Montana reservation.
Why watch: If you prefer period dramas with a serious survival edge, this is worth a look. The western setting and conflict-driven premise suggest a tense, character-focused watch.
Directed by Scott CooperCast Scott Shepherd, Rosamund Pike, Ava Cooper, Stella Cooper, David MidthunderStarzMore details on IMDb → -
04
Power Ballad
comedy · drama · music · musical
When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about.
Why watch: If you enjoy dramedies centered on music and ego, this could be a good fit. The premise points to a personal rivalry and a comeback story with musical stakes.
Directed by John CarneyCast Paul Rudd, Peter McDonald, Rory Keenan, Paul Reid, Keith McErleanStarzMore details on IMDb → -
05
Permanent Midnight
biography · drama · romance
Juggling increasing career success and a growing heroin habit, a television comedy writer attempts to go down a path of improvement.
Why watch: If you like dramas about struggle and self-correction, this title may appeal to you. Its biography and romance elements add a personal layer to the story of a writer trying to change course.
Directed by David VelozCast Ben Stiller, Maria Bello, Jay Paulson, Spencer Garrett, Owen WilsonAmazon Prime VideoStarzFreeveeMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for drama on Starz →
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06
The Devil You Know
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Once-incarcerated Marcus Cowans is trying to turn over a new leaf with the support of his loving family. Upon discovering that one of his brothers may have been involved in a horrific crime, Marcus grapples with the limits of brotherhood and loyalty. He and his family, increasingly weary of the justice system’s failings, end up in the crosshairs of a seasoned but jaded detective.
Why watch: If crime dramas about family loyalty and tough choices are your thing, this is a solid pick. The mystery and thriller tags suggest a pressured, morally complicated story.
Directed by Charles MurrayCast Omar Epps, William Catlett, Glynn Turman, Curtiss Cook, Vanessa Bell CallowayStarzMore details on IMDb → -
07
Dreams
drama · romance · thriller
A powerful socialite and a promising ballet dancer begin a dangerous affair. When he secretly crosses the US-Mexico border, she takes desperate measures to protect their future together.
Why watch: If you enjoy romance dramas with a thriller edge, this one stands out. Its cross-border stakes and dangerous affair setup point to a tense, emotional watch.
Directed by Michel FrancoCast Isaac Hernández, Eduardo Gonzalez, Hugo Costa Ramos, Julio Bernal, René MartínezStarzMore details on IMDb → -
08
Tales from the Hood
crime · drama · horror · thriller
A strange mortician tells four horrific tales to three drug dealers that he traps in a local funeral parlor.
Why watch: If you like horror stories wrapped in crime and drama, this anthology-style setup may be for you. The funeral-parlor framing and four-tale structure make it a darker, more unusual choice.
Directed by Rusty CundieffCast Clarence Williams III, Joe Torry, De'aundre Bonds, Samuel Monroe Jr., Wings HauserStarzMore details on IMDb → -
09
Speak No Evil
drama · horror · thriller
When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.
Why watch: If psychological tension is what you want from a drama, this title looks like a strong match. The vacation-gone-wrong premise and thriller-horror blend promise escalating unease.
Directed by James WatkinsCast James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West LeflerStarzMore details on IMDb → -
10
Jungle
adventure · biography · drama · thriller
In 1981, an enthusiastic young adventurer follows his dreams into the Bolivian Amazon jungle with two friends and a guide with a mysterious past. Their journey quickly turns into a terrifying ordeal as the darkest elements of human nature and the deadliest threats of the wilderness lead to an all-out fight for survival.
Why watch: If you enjoy survival stories with biography and adventure elements, this one fits well. Its journey into the Bolivian Amazon suggests a harsh, high-pressure drama.
Directed by Greg McLeanCast Daniel Radcliffe, Thomas Kretschmann, Alex Russell, Joel Jackson, Yasmin KassimStarzTubiMore details on IMDb → -
11
The Talented Mr. Ripley
5 Oscar nominations Best Supporting Actor (2000)
crime · drama · thriller
Tom Ripley is a calculating young man who believes it's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody. Opportunity knocks in the form of a wealthy U.S. shipbuilder who hires Tom to travel to Italy to bring back his playboy son, Dickie. Ripley worms his way into the idyllic lives of Dickie and his girlfriend, plunging into a daring scheme of duplicity, lies and murder.
Why watch: If you like stylish crime dramas about deception and identity, this is a strong option. The story of Tom Ripley centers on lies, manipulation, and murder.
Directed by Anthony MinghellaCast Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour HoffmanStarzParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Oscar Shaw
action · crime · drama
After retiring from the police force, a relentless detective haunted by the tragic loss of his closest friend sets out on a perilous quest for vengeance, seeking redemption and fighting to restore justice to the streets he once swore to protect.
Why watch: If you want an action-heavy crime drama with a revenge focus, this may be the right pick. It follows a retired detective seeking justice after a personal loss.
Directed by R. Ellis Frazier, Justin NesbittCast Michael Jai White, Tyrese Gibson, Michellene Covington, Isaiah Washington, Jeannette JosueStarzMore details on IMDb → -
13
The Raven
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe's life, in which the poet is in pursuit of a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer's stories.
Why watch: If mystery-driven crime dramas appeal to you, this title should be on your list. Its Edgar Allan Poe angle and serial-killer plot add a literary twist to the suspense.
Directed by James McTeigueCast John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin McNallyAmazon Prime VideoStarzMore details on IMDb → -
14
Any Given Sunday
drama · sport
A star quarterback gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the aging coach to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove herself in a male dominated world.
Why watch: If you enjoy sports dramas with leadership pressure and personality clashes, this one is a good fit. It mixes football with the challenge of rethinking plans and roles.
Directed by Oliver StoneCast Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, James Woods, Jamie FoxxStarzMore details on IMDb → -
15
Afterwards
drama · mystery · thriller
Newly divorced lawyer Nathan Del Amico is shaken up after he meets a doctor who claims that he can sense when select people are about to die. Though he doesn't believe the doctor, events in Nathan's life slowly make him think he's not long for this world.
Why watch: If you prefer dramas with mystery and a philosophical edge, this could work well. The premise follows a man unsettled by a doctor who claims to sense death.
Directed by Gilles BourdosCast Romain Duris, John Malkovich, Evangeline Lilly, Pascale Bussières, Sara WaisglassStarzMore details on IMDb → -
16
The Great Buck Howard
adventure · comedy · drama
When a law school dropout answers an advertisement to be a personal assistant he unknowingly signs on to work for a belligerent has-been magician struggling to resurrect his career. This leads to a journey across the country staging the comeback of a lifetime.
Why watch: If you like road-trip comedies with a drama core, this one may suit you. Its setup around a washed-up magician suggests a story about reinvention and chasing a comeback.
Directed by Sean McGinlyCast John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, Emily Blunt, Ricky Jay, Steve ZahnStarzMore details on IMDb → -
17
Cradle 2 the Grave
action · crime · drama · thriller
Gang leader Tony pulls off a major diamond heist with his crew, but cop-turned-criminal Ling knows who has the loot and responds by kidnapping Tony's daughter and holding her for ransom. Unfortunately, Tony's lost the diamonds as well. As he frantically searches for his daughter and the jewels, Tony pairs with a high-kicking government agent who once worked with Ling and seeks revenge on him.
Why watch: If action, crime, and drama are your favorite combination, this title delivers that mix. The heist-and-rescue premise keeps the stakes moving fast.
Directed by Andrzej BartkowiakCast Jet Li, DMX, Anthony Anderson, Kelly Hu, Tom ArnoldStarzMore details on IMDb → -
18
Empire Waist
comedy · drama
Lenore Miller’s size has always earned her teases and jeers in her school’s hallways, but this clothes-loving teenager is about to set the world on fire with her own line of inclusive fashion designs.
Why watch: If you enjoy coming-of-age dramas with a creative streak, this is a nice choice. It centers on a teen building confidence through inclusive fashion design.
Directed by Claire AyoubCast Mia Kaplan, Jemima Yevu, Rainn Wilson, Missi Pyle, Jolene PurdyStarzMore details on IMDb → -
19
Marshall
1 Oscar nomination
biography · crime · drama · history
Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, battles through one of his career-defining cases.
Why watch: If you like historical dramas based on important legal figures, this is an easy recommendation. The focus on Thurgood Marshall and a defining case gives it strong biographical appeal.
Directed by Reginald HudlinCast Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Sterling K. Brown, Dan StevensStarzMore details on IMDb → -
20
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
adventure · crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
In the midst of World War II, Sherlock Holmes rescues the Swiss inventor of a new bomb-sight from the Gestapo and brings him to England, where he quickly falls into the clutches of the evil Professor Moriarty.
Why watch: If classic crime mysteries with wartime stakes are your style, this one should interest you. Its Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty setup adds familiar detective tension.
Directed by Roy William NeillCast Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Lionel Atwill, Karen Verne, William Post Jr.StarzMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This lineup makes it easy to find a drama that fits your mood, whether you want history, crime, suspense, or a more personal story. From older favorites like Permanent Midnight and The Talented Mr. Ripley to newer titles such as Michael and Empire Waist, there’s plenty here to explore. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh pick, because the list is updated regularly. If you are narrowing down what to watch next, this is a good place to start and return to often.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Starz subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Starz. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these drama movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the drama titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.