Genius: How to Watch Aretha

Genius: Aretha is a new National Geographic Channel series that follows the life of the legendary singer. It stars Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin, who was a gospel prodigy, an outspoken civil rights champion and the greatest singer of all time.

Directed by Suzan-Lori Parks, the film is a no-holds-barred drama that depicts Franklin as a princess in a fairy tale who struggles to find her place in the world. She's portrayed as both a powerful artist and a complex woman.

National Geographic Channel

Genius: Aretha is an eight-part biopic that tells the story of the Queen of Soul and her life. Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo stars as Franklin, and Shaian Jordan plays her young self, known as Little Re.

The series explores Aretha's rise to fame and reflects on her impact on music and culture. It also focuses on her role in the civil rights movement and the Black Power movement.

In the film, Erivo's Aretha is a powerful and determined performer who takes charge of her life, a woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind and make a difference. She is the "Queen of Soul" and a true American legend.

But she is also a woman who has to deal with the struggles that come with being an African-American singer in a time when black artists were still treated poorly. In a panel discussion on the new digital series, Parks said that Franklin's struggle to live a meaningful life and to make good music was central to the project, and that the film was not shy about showing this.

There are many different factors to consider when making a biopic, and Parks and her team did not hesitate to tackle the tough subjects that shaped Franklin's life, including racism and family trauma. The result is a compelling film that's not afraid to confront difficult issues.

While the film's scripted approach makes it a bit hard to watch for people who aren't familiar with Franklin's history, the series is a fascinating look at how a talented performer grew up in a tough time and became one of the most influential voices in music. It's also an important reminder that there's a lot to learn from the women and men who were able to break through barriers.

The story also highlights the importance of family and community, both as Aretha's career progressed and in her personal life. Her sisters, Carolyn and Erma, both incredibly talented singers who are played by Patrice Covington (Broadway's "The Color Purple") and Rebecca Naomi Jones (TV's "The Big Sick"), play critical roles in her success.

Hulu

Genius: Aretha is the latest season in National Geographic's popular anthology series that focuses on a different historical figure each season. This time, it’s the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

The anthology series explores the lives of some of history’s most iconic innovators, with each episode focused on a specific time in their life. In this season, we get to see how Aretha Franklin grew from a child who sang in her father’s church to the Queen of Soul.

Luckily, if you don’t want to pay for cable or are just looking to binge watch this series, you can do so on Hulu. This service, which is available on most streaming devices, including Roku and Amazon Fire TV, gives you access to the entire library of shows and movies. Plus, you can use their Cloud DVR feature to record up to 50 hours of your favorite shows.

You can also watch episodes of Genius: Aretha on FuboTV (free trial) or Sling TV, which both offer a 7-day free trial to new users. These services all carry National Geographic Channel, so you don’t need a subscription to watch the show live or on-demand.

If you’re interested in learning more about Aretha Franklin, check out her musical release on Hulu called "Amazing Grace." It's a live performance by the Queen of Soul that was recorded in 1972. It features hits like "Rock Steady," "La Vie En Rose," and more.

In addition to watching the series, you can also check out a documentary that focuses on Aretha Franklin's time recording a gospel album in 1972. The film was shot at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and features an interview with Aretha Franklin herself.

It's a rare look into the Queen of Soul’s music career that’s worth exploring. In addition to the musical footage, the film also features interviews with people who know Aretha well, including Barbara Franklin and Young C.L. Franklin, as well as singers and producers who have worked with her in the past.

Aretha Franklin was a singer, musician, and actress with a long and storied career. She made her mark on the music world with her uplifting soul music, which inspired generations of women. She was also a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. She became a philanthropist and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her legacy is still affecting the world today.

Amazon Prime

Genius: Aretha takes viewers on a journey through the life of singer, songwriter, and pianist Aretha Franklin. It follows her from her early years to her rise to fame as an international superstar.

The series begins with Aretha’s birth and her father, pastor C.L. Franklin, who was renowned for his sermons and boasted an impressive musical legacy. Aretha was surrounded by many notable performers during her formative years, which helped shape her singing abilities and career as she rose to fame.

For Aretha, the music of her time was a big deal, and she was able to make her mark by producing and performing songs that were both relevant and edgy. The film features a few recognizable hits such as “Respect” and the iconic “(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman.”

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to watch the aforementioned music related movie on Amazon Prime. However, you can stream the show on various VOD platforms such as Hulu and FuboTV. The Hulu app also offers a 30-day free trial for new users. The app also allows you to purchase episodes of Genius: Aretha on-demand. The FuboTV app offers a seven-day free trial. The latter is available for Apple TV, Roku, Android and other devices.

Netflix

The Queen of Soul is about to get her deserved respect with the upcoming biopic Respect. Directed by Liesl Tommy and starring Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, the movie takes viewers on a journey through Aretha Franklin’s life. From her upbringing in the church to her rise as a musical superstar, there’s no stone that’s left unturned.

The film follows Aretha as she goes from singing in her father’s church choir to becoming one of the most revered singers of all time. Along the way, she endured a tough marriage and participated in the civil rights movement. Throughout her career, she dealt with the ups and downs that came with being the Queen of Soul.

Sadly, the movie isn’t currently available on Netflix, but you can watch the film on Hulu or FuboTV. Both services offer a free trial that allows you to stream a full 30-days of content. You can also buy a series or season of Genius: Aretha on VOD platforms like iTunes, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Spectrum, and DirecTV.

While a good portion of Hollywood’s tentpole titles have shifted between theaters and streaming platforms thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, some still remain theaters only. That means you’ll need to make a trip out to the theater if you want to see Respect.

The film opens on August 13th in the US and Canada and will release on screens around the world. It’s slated to arrive on digital platforms in early fall or winter. As for where to watch Respect on streaming, it will likely land on a platform that’s already offering access to the title such as Paramount+ or another streamer.