A razor-sharp comedy that will drive you to laughter, embarrassment and exasperation, "American Fiction" follows Thelonious "Monk" Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), a writer whose career has stalled to a standstill because his novels aren't "Black" enough. Out of spite, he pens an overblown parody of a "Black" novel — and to his boundless horror it's an overnight sensation.
Cord Jefferson's Oscar-winning film is now streaming on MGM Plus in the U.S., and Prime Video elsewhere. If you're traveling abroad, we'll explain how to watch "American Fiction" online and from anywhere with a VPN.
"American Fiction" has been available for streaming in the U.S. since Friday, March 8, 2024.
• U.S. — MGM Plus (and via Sling TV)
• U.K., CA, AU — Prime Video
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN risk-free
In a scene towards the middle of "American Fiction", Monk grimaces at a TV network's trailer for "Black Stories Month", showcasing the diversity of the "Black experience". The video montage features gang violence, slavery, teenage pregnancy, police brutality and crack smoking.
"American Fiction" skewers the hypocrisy that's rife in intellectual circles, using the publishing industry as its main quarry. There's certainly a thirst for stories from Black people, but only very specific ones. As his agent Arthur (John Ortiz) puts it, what have Monk's reworkings of Aeschlyus' "Persians" and Aristophanes' "Frogs" got to do with the African-American experience?
It's a self-perpetuating cycle that stifles all other viewpoints, and Monk retorts with a novel so boneheaded and thick with clichés that it can't possibly be taken seriously. However, one should never underestimate the lengths gatekeepers will go to to feel absolved.
Based on Percival Everett's novel "Erasure", here's where to watch "American Fiction" — one of several 2024 Oscar winners streaming now — from anywhere. We've also embedded the trailer further down the page.
How to watch 'American Fiction' in the U.S.
“American Fiction” is exclusive to MGM Plus in the U.S..
If you don't have cable, online streaming service MGM Plus costs $6.99 a month or $58.99 annually, but new subscribers are entitled to a 7-day FREE trial.
The streaming service is also available through multiple live TV streaming services, either bundled with a monthly subscription plan or as an add-on service for an extra fee.
For example, it’s available through Amazon Channels to anyone with an Amazon Prime subscription (at a monthly cost of $14.99 for Amazon Prime and $6.99 for MGM Plus, after your free trial for both services). MGM Plus can also be accessed through Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV, Philo and DirecTV Stream.
Of these options, Philo and Sling are the standout cheapest options. In particular, we rate Sling TV as one of the best streaming services and best cable TV alternatives.
Both services are available on most, if not all, of the best streaming devices.
Watch 'American Fiction' from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching “American Fiction” on MGM Plus, Sling or Prime Video?
You can still watch the razor-sharp comedy online thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are in the world. So it’s ideal for viewers currently traveling outside of their home country. Our favourite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
Watch 'American Fiction' on Prime Video
In the U.K., Canada, Australia and beyond, you can watch "American Fiction" on Prime Video right now.
In the U.K., an Amazon Prime subscription costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year. In Canada, it's CA$9.99 per month or CA$99 per year, and in Australia it's AU$9.99 per month or AU$79 per year.
'American Fiction' trailer
'American Fiction' cast
- Jeffrey Wright as Dr. Thelonious "Monk" Ellison
- Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Lisa Ellison
- Issa Rae as Sintara Golden
- Sterling K. Brown as Dr. Clifford "Cliff" Ellison
- John Ortiz as Arthur
- Erika Alexander as Coraline
- Leslie Uggams as Agnes Ellison
- Keith David as Willy the Wonker
- Okieriete Onaodowan as Van Go Jenkins
- Myra Lucretia Taylor as Lorraine
- Miriam Shor as Paula Baderman
