Martin Scorsese doesn't really do "religious movies" in the way Hollywood usually defines them. He does epics about the messy, violent, and deeply human struggle with the divine. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to watch The Saints series, you probably already know this isn't some Sunday school special. It’s Martin Scorsese Presents: THE SAINTS, a docudrama that feels more like a spiritual companion to Silence or The Last Temptation of Christ than anything you’d find on a traditional faith-based network.
The rollout has been a bit confusing for some. Because it’s a Fox Nation exclusive, people who usually stick to Netflix or Max are finding themselves scratching their heads. Honestly, it’s a weird home for a Scorsese project, but that’s where the money and the creative freedom landed.
The short answer on how to watch The Saints series right now
You need a subscription to Fox Nation. That is the only place it lives. Period. No, it isn't on Hulu despite the corporate ties, and it isn't on Disney+.
Scorsese, who hosts, narrates, and executive produces the thing, teamed up with Matti Leshem to bring these stories to life. Each episode focuses on a single figure. We’re talking about people like Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene. These aren't just dry history lessons. They’re cinematic recreations that look and feel like high-budget indie films.
The first four episodes dropped in late 2024, specifically targeting the November timeframe. The second half of the season—the final four episodes—is scheduled to roll out around Easter 2025. If you’re looking to binge the whole thing in one go, you might want to wait until the spring, but if you want to follow the cultural conversation as it happens, you’ve gotta jump into the Fox Nation app now.
Why Scorsese chose these specific figures
It’s about the "banality of holiness," or something like that. Scorsese has spent his whole life obsessed with the idea of how a person lives a "good" life in a "bad" world. When you’re looking for how to watch The Saints series, you’re really looking for a masterclass in hagiography—the study of saints—but through the lens of a guy who grew up in Little Italy thinking he might become a priest before he became a filmmaker.
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Take the episode on Joan of Arc. Most movies make her look like a shimmering warrior. Scorsese’s version, directed by Elizabeth Chomko, focuses on the psychological weight of her trial. It’s claustrophobic. It’s intense. It’s very... Scorsese.
The series covers:
- Joan of Arc: The teenage visionary who led an army and burned for it.
- Francis of Assisi: The rich kid who gave it all away to talk to birds and help the poor.
- John the Baptist: The wild man in the desert.
- Mary Magdalene: Perhaps the most misunderstood woman in history.
The remaining episodes for 2025 will dive into St. Sebastian, St. Thomas Becket, St. Moses the Black, and St. Columba. It's a diverse list. St. Moses the Black, for instance, was a literal bandit and gang leader before his conversion. That’s a classic Scorsese protagonist if I’ve ever seen one.
Is there a way to watch it for free?
Not legally. Fox Nation rarely does the "first episode free" thing that YouTube or Amazon might do. However, they frequently run promotions. If you’re a veteran or a first responder, Fox Nation usually offers a year for free, which is a massive perk if you fall into that category. For everyone else, you’re looking at about $5.99 a month.
I’ve seen some people asking if they can buy individual episodes on Apple TV or Amazon. Currently, the answer is no. This is a "walled garden" situation. Fox is using Scorsese’s name to pull in a demographic that might not usually subscribe to their service—the prestige TV crowd. It’s a smart move, even if it’s annoying for our wallets.
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Technical specs and the viewing experience
If you’re going to watch this, do it on a screen that handles shadows well. The cinematography is dark. It’s moody. It uses a lot of natural-looking light, similar to Scorsese’s 2016 film Silence.
You can access the Fox Nation app on:
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV (4th Gen and newer)
- Xbox One
- iOS and Android devices
Interestingly, the series is shot in a way that feels global. They filmed in locations that actually mimic the Levant and medieval Europe. It doesn't have that "filmed in a backyard in Georgia" look that plagues a lot of lower-budget historical reenactments.
What most people get wrong about this series
A lot of people think this is a documentary where Scorsese just sits in a chair and talks. It isn't. While he does introduce each episode—and his voiceover is present throughout—the bulk of the runtime is dedicated to scripted dramatizations. These are actors. There are scripts. There is blood.
It’s also not a "Catholic-only" show. While Scorsese is Catholic, the themes of sacrifice, madness, and conviction are universal. You don't have to believe in the divinity of these people to find their stories compelling. Honestly, some of the most interesting parts are when the show acknowledges the historical skeptics.
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Troubleshooting your stream
If you've signed up and can't find the show, search for "Scorsese" instead of "The Saints." The app's search algorithm is sometimes a bit finicky, and the director's name is a more unique identifier than the word "Saints," which brings up a lot of football content or unrelated religious programming.
Also, check your data usage. Because the series is filmed in 4K, it eats up a lot of bandwidth. If you’re watching on a mobile connection, you might see some buffering unless you drop the quality in the settings.
Actionable steps to get started
If you're ready to dive in, here is the most efficient way to handle it:
- Check for a trial: Visit the Fox Nation website directly on a browser before signing up through an app store. Sometimes they offer 7-day trials for new subscribers that aren't advertised inside the Apple or Google Play ecosystems.
- Verify your status: If you are a military member or veteran, go through the "Life Goal" or "Serve" portals on the site to claim your free access.
- Plan your binge: Since the series is being released in two blocks, the most cost-effective method is to wait until May 2025. You can then pay for a single month, watch all eight episodes, and cancel.
- Download for travel: The Fox Nation app allows for offline viewing. If you have a long flight, download the Joan of Arc and John the Baptist episodes—they are the most visually arresting of the first batch and hold up well on a tablet.
The series is a rare moment where high-brow cinema meets niche streaming. Whether you're a Scorsese completionist or just someone interested in the history of faith, it's worth the hoop-jumping required to find it.