You probably remember the chandelier. It’s that iconic, horrifying, yet strangely hilarious moment where Barbara and Oliver Rose—played with venomous perfection by Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas—literally reach the end of their rope. Danny DeVito directed the hell out of this 1989 masterpiece, but honestly, trying to figure out where to watch The War of the Roses in the current streaming landscape is a bit of a headache. It isn't like a Marvel movie that stays parked on one platform forever.
Ownership rights for older 20th Century Fox titles got weird after the Disney merger. Because The War of the Roses is a dark, R-rated comedy about a divorce so bitter it turns into actual urban warfare, it doesn't exactly scream "Disney+ family night." So, it floats. It drifts between services. One month it’s on a random cable app, the next it’s gone.
The Current Streaming Situation
Right now, if you want to watch the Roses tear their house (and lives) apart, your best bet is digital rental or purchase. Platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (iTunes), Vudu (Fandango at Home), and Google Play almost always have it for a few bucks. It’s usually priced around $3.99 for a rental. If you’re looking to stream it "for free" as part of a subscription, the options are thinner.
Historically, it has popped up on Max (formerly HBO Max) and Hulu because of those legacy Fox deals, but it cycles out fast. Check your current subscriptions first, but don't be surprised if it's missing. Licensing deals are essentially short-term leases. When the lease is up, the movie disappears from the library until another streamer ponies up the cash.
Why This Movie Is Worth the Hunt
Why even bother? Because they don't make movies like this anymore. Seriously.
Most modern comedies are scared to be this mean. The War of the Roses is mean-spirited in the best way possible. It starts as a standard "how we met" story and devolves into a psychological horror film disguised as a comedy. DeVito’s direction is slanted and claustrophobic. He uses wide-angle lenses that make the Roses’ massive mansion feel like a prison.
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Kathleen Turner is a force of nature here. Most people remember her from Romancing the Stone, but her performance as Barbara Rose is nuanced. She isn't just a "crazy ex-wife" trope. She’s a woman who realized she sacrificed her identity for a man who cares more about his collection of Staffordshire dogs than her soul. When she tells Oliver, "When I look at you, I just want to smash your face in," you feel that. It’s raw.
Physical Media: The Only Way to Guarantee Access
If you’re a cinephile, you’ve probably realized that streaming is a lie. You don't own anything. If you really love this movie, buy the Blu-ray.
The 20th Anniversary Edition is usually the one people find, though there have been various releases over the years. Physical copies are the only way to ensure you can watch it whenever you want without worrying about whether a licensing executive in a boardroom decided to pull it from a library to save on residuals. Plus, the commentary track by Danny DeVito is gold. He talks about the technical challenges of that final chandelier sequence and how they had to balance the tone so it didn't just become a depressing tragedy.
The Legal Hurdles and Studio Shifts
The reason the movie isn't everywhere is tied to its DNA. It’s a 20th Century Fox film. When Disney bought Fox, they inherited a massive library. They’ve been slow to integrate the "prestige" or "adult" titles into their main ecosystem. While The War of the Roses isn't exactly "edgy" by 2026 standards, it deals with intense domestic themes that don't fit the "Disney" brand.
Instead, Disney often licenses these types of films to third-party services like Starz or Showtime (Paramount+ with Showtime). It’s a way for them to monetize the back catalog without putting a movie about a murderous divorce next to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
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Technical Specs for Modern Screens
If you do find a stream or buy the digital version, look for the 4K UHD or at least the HD version. The cinematography by Stephen H. Burum is gorgeous. He’s the guy who shot Mission: Impossible and The Untouchables. The way he uses shadows in the Rose household is deliberate. The house starts bright and airy and gradually becomes darker and more gothic as the marriage fails.
Standard definition (SD) does this movie a huge disservice. You lose the detail in the production design—the very things Oliver Rose is so obsessed with. The textures of the fabrics, the sheen on the wooden banisters, the steam in the kitchen; it all matters to the story.
Common Misconceptions About Streaming Availability
A lot of people think that because a movie is "old," it should be on Netflix. It isn't. Netflix has largely pivoted away from licensing deep-catalog titles in favor of producing their own original content. They’d rather spend $100 million on a new movie than $5 million to keep a bunch of 80s classics.
Another mistake? Assuming it’s on YouTube for free. Sometimes you’ll see "full movie" uploads, but they are almost always scams, low-quality rips that get taken down in 48 hours, or those weird "link in description" videos that lead to malware. Just pay the four dollars to rent it properly. It supports the preservation of these films.
How to Track It in Real-Time
Since the streaming world moves so fast, use a tool like JustWatch or Reelgood. You just type in the title, and it tells you exactly which platform has it in your specific region (US, UK, Canada, etc.). These sites track the daily changes in library catalogs.
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- Go to JustWatch.
- Search for The War of the Roses.
- Look for the "Stream" tab vs. the "Rent/Buy" tab.
- If it's on a service you don't have, check if there's a free trial.
The Legacy of the Divorce Comedy
It’s interesting to compare The War of the Roses to something like Marriage Story. Noah Baumbach’s film is brilliant, but it’s polite. It’s sad. The War of the Roses is a scream. It’s a warning.
The screenplay by Michael Leeson, based on the Warren Adler novel, doesn't take sides. That’s the brilliance. Both Barbara and Oliver are monsters. Both are victims. It’s a perfect circle of dysfunction. When you finally sit down to watch it, pay attention to the frame story featuring Danny DeVito as the lawyer, Gavin D'Amato. He’s the moral compass, or at least the one trying to prevent his client from making the same mistakes.
Actionable Next Steps
Stop scrolling through Netflix’s "Recommended for You" section. It won’t be there.
Open your Amazon or Apple TV app right now. Search for the title. If it’s available for rent, grab some popcorn and prepare for one of the most stressful yet rewarding viewing experiences of your life. If you find yourself wanting to watch it more than once, keep an eye on eBay or Amazon for a used Blu-ray copy. Having a hard copy is the only way to avoid the "streaming carousel" where movies you love disappear overnight.
If you're a fan of Danny DeVito's directorial style, after watching this, go look for Death to Smoochy. It’s another dark gem that suffers from the same "hard to find" streaming issues. The man has a very specific, twisted vision that deserves more eyes than it currently gets.
Check the rental price one last time before you commit. Sometimes Vudu has "Weekend Deals" where titles like this drop to $2.99. It’s a small price to pay to see Michael Douglas lose his mind over a pâté.