Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence in 2024’s ‘Conclave.’. Photo:
Courtesy of Focus Features
Conclave became an award-winning hit following its release in 2024. Now, after Pope Francis‘ death on April 21, the film has taken on a deeper meaning.
Directed by Edward Berger, Conclave tells the story of a papal election after a pope has died. With a star-studded cast — including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini — the movie rode a wave of success following its release, reaching over $100 million at the box office, per Variety, and taking home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
“This is such a personal film for me, so to hear how it has connected with and entertained so many movie lovers around the world makes me very happy,” Berger said in a February 2025 statement, per Variety.
So, where can you watch the acclaimed drama? Read on to find out how to watch and stream Conclave.
Ralph Fiennes in ‘Conclave’. Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection
Conclave pulls back the curtain on the papal election process in Vatican City in the wake of the pope’s death.
After the Catholic Church is suddenly left without its supreme pontiff, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) takes part in a conclave — also known as the assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope — to elect a successor.
As the selection process progresses, Lawrence uncovers hidden secrets and scandals among the cardinals, which makes for a dramatic and tense vote that involves political scheming and hidden agendas among the group.
John Lithgow and Ralph Fiennes in 2024’s ‘Conclave.’. Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection
In addition to being based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris, Conclave also draws inspiration from real-life events, as the papal election process known as a conclave is legitimate.
The movie will soon play out in real life, following Pope Francis’ death on April 21 at 88 years old. Bill Cavanaugh, an American Catholic theologian and professor of Catholic studies at DePaul University, told PEOPLE that the conclave will likely occur within two to three weeks of the funeral.
“The cardinals will lock themselves into the Sistine Chapel and discuss and vote on the next pope,” he said. “Not every cardinal can vote. Only cardinals who are under 80 can vote. And a papal candidate needs two-thirds of the vote of the voting cardinals to be elected.”
Brian F. O’Byrne and Ralph Fiennes in ‘Conclave’. Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection
Following its release, Conclave was first made available to stream on Peacock, but was removed from the platform in early April 2025.
But, according to the film’s Amazon Prime Video landing page, Conclave will be available to stream on the platform beginning at midnight ET on April 22.
The platform swap is thanks to an 18-month split licensing deal between Universal and Amazon Prime Video, which gives Peacock the rights to stream the group’s movies for the first four and the last four months, with Amazon Prime Video as the films’ home in between, per Deadline.
Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence and Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini in 2024’s ‘Conclave.’. Courtesy of Focus Features
Can’t wait to watch? No worries! Conclave is available to rent or buy on several platforms, including YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Google Play and more.
