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The Color Purple is set to make its streaming debut. With a talent-packed cast — including Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, Ciara, Halle Bailey, and Phylicia Mpasi — and a production team that reunites Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Quincy Jones (who served as producers on the 1985 film of the same name) and brings in Scott Sanders, the classic tale is back for the next generation to enjoy.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch The Color Purple in the comfort of your own home, where you can cry openly.
What is The Color Purple about?
The Color Purple follows Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a young Black woman in the rural South during the early 1900s, and the hardships she faces. “Abused, underestimated, and relegated to being a passive force in her own life, Celie survives by sheer force of will, hoping that life will eventually give her a break,” Mashable reviewer Jourdain Searles writes.
The book and the musical film highlight the power of sisterhood. Through the heavy and harrowing misfortunes in her life, Celie “more than earns her happy ending, even though it takes many years to get there.”
Peep the official trailer below.
Is The Color Purple 2023 a remake?
As Searles wrote in her Mashable review, “the film is a bold new take on the classic story of love and resilience, adapted from the beloved novel and the Broadway musical.”
This is the second time the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Alice Walker has been adapted to film. The first was a Steven Spielberg film in 1985. It was more of a direct adaptation of the novel and starred Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah. The 2023 film is directed by Blitz Bazawule and is more inspired by the Tony award-winning stage musical, which debuted in the early 2000s. It’s not so much a remake as it is a celebration of a classic. And as our reviewer noted, “the spirit of its beauty still endures.”
When is The Color Purple coming to streaming?
The Color Purple originally premiered in U.S. theaters on Dec. 25, 2023, earning more than $60 million at the box office (according to Box Office Mojo). Less than two months after its premiere, it’s coming to streaming. The Color Purple will be available to stream on Max starting Feb. 16, 2024. It’s also available to rent or purchase on video-on-demand services like Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Best Max subscription deals
You’re going to need a Max subscription if you want to stream The Color Purple at home. The question is which Max subscription deal makes the most sense for you? We’ve broken down the options below.
Best Max streaming deal for most people: Save 17% on Max With Ads annual subscription
A monthly Max subscription costs $9.99 per month (with ads), but you can save about 17% per month if you opt for the annual plan instead. An annual Max subscription will run you $99.99 per year, which breaks down to only $8.33 per month. This definitely gives you more bang for your buck, but if you don’t want to fork over the $100 right off the bat, signing up for Max for just one month and cancelling is also an option.
Mashable Deals
Best Max deal with no ads: Save 22% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription
If you can’t stand any annoying ads interrupting your experience, you’ll want to sign up for the Max (ad-free) subscription instead. At $149.99 per year, it’s a bit pricey, but it does save you 22% compared to paying $15.99 monthly. If you’re a movie buff seeking the best viewing experience possible — and have some money to blow — there’s also a Max Ultimate subscription. You’ll get the ad-free viewing experience, plus 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, the ability to stream on two more devices at once, and 70 more downloads. It’ll cost you $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (save $3.50 per month).
Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max With Ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan
If you’re a Cricket customer on the $60 per month unlimited plan, you get Max (with ads) included for free. Just select Cricket as your provider when you log in to Max and enter your credentials. Soon, you’ll be able to stream The Color Purple and plenty of other excellent films. On a different Cricket plan? You can upgrade or change over to the $60 per month unlimited plan to secure the deal. Check out the terms and conditions to learn more.
Best Max free trial: Get 3 months of Max with DirecTV Stream Entertainment package
The Max free trials of yesteryear have completely disappeared, leaving only one remaining option to test it out. The problem is, it’ll still cost you. You can get three free months of Max (as well as other premium channels) through a DirecTV Stream Entertainment package for $79.99 per month. Since DirecTV Stream serves as a cable replacement, it’s not the most affordable option if you only want to watch The Color Purple and move on. However, it does give you a lot of value with more than 75 live channels and three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+, and Cinemax.
Other ways to watch The Color Purple
If you don’t want to sign up for another streaming service just to watch The Color Purple, you don’t have to. Instead, you can rent or purchase the film through digital retailers such as Prime Video and Apple TV for $19.99 or $24.99, respectively. Rentals give you 30 days to start watching the film and 48 hours to finish once started.
