How to watch the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody
It was released in cinemas in 2022
Following the release of the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, starring Naomi Ackie, back in 2022, it was released on Netflix last year. However, it has now been removed from Netflix, although it is available to watch on other streaming platforms.
In the film, Whitney is portrayed by Naomi Ackie and follows the life and career of the incredible singer. With hits such as 'I Will Always Love You' and 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', the viewers get to see what went on behind the scenes as Whitney built her music career.
Watch the trailer for I Wanna Dance With Somebody:
The first trailer originally shared back in September 2022 showed Whitney's first performance in front of Clive Davis, the record executive who discovered her, as well as her fantastic gigs including her 1991 performance at the Super Bowl.
Watch the first trailer for Whitney Houston's biopic:
The film has been directed by Harriet director Kasi Lemmons and was written by Anthony McCarten who wrote the film Bohemian Rhapsody.
Who plays Whitney Houston in her biopic film?
Naomi Ackie was announced for the role of Whitney Houston back in May 2021, but fans got to see her in the role for the first time in a poster shared by Sony Pictures.
The poster shows the Star Wars actress recreating Whitney's iconic outfit and pose from her 'So Emotional' music video. Sony Pictures shared the photo and wrote: '🎶 Don’t you wanna dance? 🎶 Whitney Houston, the greatest voice, has an even greater story. I Wanna Dance With Somebody is exclusively in movie theaters December.' (sic)
What has Naomi Ackie said about playing Whitney Houston?
Speaking to ET in 2021 when she was announced to play the music legend, Naomi Ackie opened up about taking on the role: "I’m going to try my best because that woman - it sends shivers down my spine how much she means to me, the world, Black women, African American women. I’m going to throw my everything into making sure she is represented properly.
"I just want to tell her story. And I think when I’m able to simplify it down to that, I’ll be able to handle the pressure."
When did I Wanna Dance With Somebody come out?
The biopic was released in cinemas on 26th December 2022.
Is it on Netflix?
The movie was added to Netflix in the UK on 6th October 2024 and it left the platform on 5th April 2025.
How to watch the film
You can now watch the film on YouTube, Apple TV or Prime Video, however you will need to pay.
Take a look at these great biopics about legendary artists:
Tony Wilson (Factory Records) - 24 Hour Party People (2002)
Released in 2002, 24 Hour Party People depicts the story of the Manchester music scene from 1976 to 1992 and the revolutionary independent record label Factory Records. The film begins with the explosion of Punk Rock in the late 1970s, it then moves through the 1980s and into the 'Madchester' rave scene of the 1990s revolving around the famous Haçienda nightclub.
The main character is Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, played by Steve Coogan. The film dramatises events that actually happened, rumours and urban legends surrounding the scene, with characters often breaking the fourth wall to speak directly to the viewer. It features the careers of bands including the Happy Mondays, Joy Division, New Order and A Certain Ratio.
Watch the trailer.
Johnny Cash - Walk The Line (2005)
Walk The Line tells the life story of legendary American Country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. It is based on two of his autobiographies, Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words (1975), and Cash: The Autobiography (1997).
It follows the story from his early life, romance with musician June Carter and his ascent into the domination of the Country music genre. The film was released in November 2005 and stars Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix.
Watch the trailer.
Joy Division - Control (2007)
Control, starring Samantha Morton, Sam Riley and Alexandra Maria Lara follows the late singer Ian Curtis and Joy Division. Starting in 1975, the film begins with teenagers Ian Curtis (Sam Riley) and Debbie Woodruff (Samantha Morton) marrying, before they attend a Sex Pistols concert a year later with some friends who are starting a band.
Eventually after a name change, Joy Division is formed, releasing many iconic hits in the 70s and 80s. The film follows the band in their early years, until the sad death of Ian, after the breakdown of his marriage to Debbie.
Watch the trailer.
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
The film Bohemian Rhapsody was released in 2018 and tells the story of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury from his humble beginnings to one of the biggest stars in the world. The film culminates at the legendary Live Aid gig at Wembley Stadium in 1985.
The film became a huge success and increased the popularity of Queen. It was nominated for numerous awards and the production won four times at the 91st Academy Awards including Best Actor for Rami Malek portrayal of Freddie, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.
Watch the trailer.
Elton John - Rocketman (2019)
The hugely popular Elton John biopic Rocketman was released in May 2019, following the singer's life from his early years through until the 1980s. Elton wrote a brand new song, '(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again', for the film, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
It starred Taron Egerton as Elton and Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin. Elton's husband David was a co-producer on the film, which also won Taron a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
Watch the trailer.
Alan McGee (Creation Records) - Creation Stories (2021)
Released in 2021, Creation Stories tells the story of Alan McGee the founder of Creation Records. The film was adapted by screenwriter Irvine Welsh from the Creation boss' 2013 autobiography of the same name.
Alan McGee founded the independent Creation Records label in 1983 and worked with iconic bands including Primal Scream, The Boo Radleys, The Jesus and Mary Chain and perhaps most famously signed Oasis at their gig in Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in 1993.
Watch the trailer.
Aretha Franklin - Respect (2021)
Respect is a music biopic released in 2021 about the life of one of the greatest American singers and civil rights activists, Aretha Franklin. Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls, portrayed the 'Respect' singer in the film.
Forest Whitaker also starred in the film as C. L. Franklin, Aretha's father, with Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Aretha's husband and manager.
Watch the trailer.
Elvis Presley - Elvis (2022)
As the name suggests, Elvis is a biopic about Elvis Presley. The film follows Elvis (Austin Butler) from his humble beginnings and his Mississippi roots as he becomes a rock and roll icon. Meanwhile his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) guides and controls his fame. The film was released on 24th June 2022 and directed Baz Luhrmann.
Other roles in the biopic are played by Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla Presley), award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson (Elvis' mother Gladys), Richard Roxburgh (Elvis' father, Vernon), and Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery (TV director Steve Binder).
Watch the trailer.
Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2022)
I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a film about the incredible life and career of singer and actress Whitney Houston. It was released in December 2022 and stars actress Naomi Ackie as Whitney.
Back in 2021, Naomi spoke to ET about taking on the role, saying: "I'm going to try my best because that woman - it sends shivers down my spine how much she means to me, the world, Black women, African American women. I'm going to throw my everything into making sure she is represented properly.
"I just want to tell her story. And I think when I'm able to simplify it down to that, I'll be able to handle the pressure."
Watch the trailer.
Bob Marley - One Love (2024)
One Love, the biopic about Bob Marley, was released in February 2024. It is a film about the life and career of the reggae legend, with actor Kingsley Ben-Adir playing the lead role in the biopic. A synopsis for the film says: 'Discover Bob's powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.'
The film, which was made in association with the late singer's family also starred huge names including Lashana Lynch, Michael Gandolfini, James Norton and Tosin Cole.
Watch the trailer.
Bob Dylan - A Complete Unknown (2024)
Oscar nominated actor Timothée Chalamet portrays Bob Dylan in the 2024 biopic about the music icon. The film follows the musician's life and career, including his switch from folk to rock music. Work on the film was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was finally released in 2024.
Along with Timothée Chalamet, the cast includes Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro.
Watch the trailer.
Now read:
Whitney Houston's 'The Concert for a New South Africa' to be shown in cinemas
Whitney Houston: From pop icon to movie star
Celebrating the incredible career of Whitney Houston