{"id":729538,"date":"2026-06-11T11:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T11:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/729538\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T11:35:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T11:35:11","slug":"emma-thompsons-memorable-period-drama-that-you-cant-miss-is-now-streaming-for-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/729538\/","title":{"rendered":"Emma Thompson’s “memorable” period drama that you “can’t miss” is now streaming for free"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Emma Thompson<\/a> dazzles cinemagoers in The Sheep Detectives, a “memorable” period drama that features the actor is streaming for free right now. Released in 1992, Howards End is an adaptation of the 1910 novel of the same name by E M Foster.<\/p>\n

Set in turn-of-the-20th-century Britain, it tells the story of the Schlegel sisters, the Wilcoxes, and the Basts as they reconcile their differing values, class disparity, and need for connection.<\/p>\n

The first film to be released by Sony Pictures Classics, Howards End enjoyed critical and commercial success, grossing a whopping $32 million on just an $8 million budget. <\/p>\n

\"samuel<\/p>\n

Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2013 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n

The film also garnered nine nominations at the 65th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won three \u2013 Best Actress for Thompson, Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, and Best Art Direction.<\/p>\n

Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about Howards End before diving in.<\/p>\n

Who’s in Howards End?<\/p>\n

\u2022 Emma Thompson as Margaret Schlegel
\u2022 Anthony Hopkins as Henry Wilcox
\u2022 Helena Bonham Carter as Helen Schlegel
\u2022 Vanessa Redgrave as Ruth Wilcox
\u2022 James Wilby as Charles Wilcox
\u2022 Jemma Redgrave as Evie Wilcox
\u2022 Samuel West as Leonard Bast
\u2022 Joseph Bennett as Paul Wilcox
\u2022 Prunella Scales as Aunt Juley
\u2022 Adrian Ross Magenty as Tibby Schlegel
\u2022 Jo Kendall as Annie
\u2022 Susie Lindeman as Dolly Wilcox
\u2022 Nicola Duffett as Jacky Bast
\u2022 Mark Payton as Percy Cahill
\u2022 Barbara Hicks as Miss Avery <\/p>\n

What did critics say about Howards End?<\/p>\n

Howards End received overwhelmingly glowing reviews from critics and holds an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n

The critics’ consensus reads: “A superbly-mounted adaptation of E.M. Forster’s tale of British class tension, with exceptional performances all round, Howards End ranks among the best of Merchant-Ivory’s work.”
<\/p>\n

In their review, The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> wrote: “From start to finish, Howards End is a sumptuous visual delight. But the beauty of this film is far more than skin deep.”<\/p>\n

The Observer<\/a> said: “Deeply romantic, political, emotion-led, respectful of music and literature, impeccably dressed and, in one of the characters’ own words, ‘overexpressive’.”<\/p>\n

\"anthony<\/p>\n

Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Related: Emma Thompson’s “riveting” and “tense” survival thriller gets new UK streaming home<\/a><\/p>\n

Empire<\/a> described the film as “memorable”, while the Globe and Mail<\/a> said you “can’t miss” it.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, TIME Magazine<\/a> added: “Elegant and powerful, accommodating collisions of class and temperament with the grace of a perfect Edwardian hostess, Howards End is the work to which all Merchant Ivory’s other films have pointed and aspired.”<\/p>\n

Where can I watch Howards End?<\/p>\n

Film fans eager to watch Howards End are in luck, as it’s streaming for free with ads right now on Channel 4 after airing on Film4 yesterday. <\/p>\n

For those who want their viewing experience to be uninterrupted, Channel 4 Plus does away with ads for \u00a33.99 per month and comes with a seven-day free trial for those who have not subscribed before.
<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Howards End is available on the Curzon Channel via Prime Video, which costs \u00a36.99 per month on top of your Prime Video subscription.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can rent Howards End from Curzon Home Cinema for \u00a34.99.<\/p>\n

\"emma<\/p>\n

Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Related: Florence Pugh and Emma Thompson join fight against ‘deeply concerning’ Paramount-Warner Bros merger<\/a><\/p>\n

Howards End is also available to rent from Prime Video for \u00a32.49, and from Apple TV and the Sky Store for \u00a33.49.<\/p>\n

You can buy the film to watch an unlimited number of times from Apple TV for \u00a33.99, and from Prime Video for \u00a37.99.<\/p>\n

Other Emma Thompson films you can stream now<\/p>\n

If you just can’t get enough of Emma Thompson after watching Howards End \u2013 and we can’t blame you \u2013 there are plenty more of her films to stream right now.<\/p>\n

One of her most iconic roles is in Nanny McPhee, where she plays a nanny with magical powers tasked with keeping seven unruly children in check. You can watch the children’s classic, based on Christianna Brand’s Nurse Matilda books, for free right now on ITVX.<\/p>\n

Thompson has appeared in several book adaptations, including the 1995 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility, streaming now on Prime Video.<\/p>\n

In 2003, Thompson broke the world’s heart in the role of Love Actually’s Karen \u2013 and no, we will never forgive Alan Rickman’s Harry over that necklace. If you want to tune into the iconic rom-com, you can right now on Prime Video.<\/p>\n

Howards End is streaming now on Channel 4.<\/p>\n

Visit our Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, a collector’s edition exploring the royal family, is here! Buy The Royals in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
\nRebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
\nHer particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
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