Denzel Washington's 'The Bone Collector' Heads to Starz

The 1999 thriller, which was seen as a copycat of the hit 'Se7en', will stream on Starz starting March 1.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The late 1990s saw a wave of neo-noir mystery movies trying to replicate the success of David Fincher's 'Se7en', including the 1999 film 'The Bone Collector' starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. The movie, which follows two detectives hunting down a serial killer in New York, was a solid box office hit but received mixed reviews from critics. Now, 'The Bone Collector' is heading to the Starz streaming platform, where a new generation of audiences can compare it to the iconic 'Se7en'.

Why it matters

The influx of 'Se7en' copycats in the late 90s highlights Hollywood's tendency to chase trends, as studios sought to capitalize on the success of Fincher's groundbreaking thriller. While 'The Bone Collector' found commercial success, it was ultimately overshadowed by the critical acclaim of 'Se7en'. The movie's move to Starz gives it a chance to be reevaluated by modern audiences, who may find new appreciation for its strengths or weaknesses in comparison to the film that inspired it.

The details

Directed by Phillip Noyce, 'The Bone Collector' starred Denzel Washington as a veteran detective and Angelina Jolie as his rookie partner as they hunt down a serial killer in New York City. The movie was a solid box office hit, grossing over $150 million worldwide against a $48 million budget. However, it received mixed reviews from critics, who felt the film was a bland attempt at a suspenseful serial killer story. Interestingly, Washington was originally offered a role in 'Se7en' but turned it down.

  • The Bone Collector was released in 1999.
  • The movie will start streaming on Starz on March 1, 2026.

The players

Denzel Washington

An acclaimed American actor who starred as the veteran detective in 'The Bone Collector'.

Angelina Jolie

An acclaimed American actress who starred as the rookie detective partner to Denzel Washington's character in 'The Bone Collector'.

David Fincher

The acclaimed director of the influential thriller 'Se7en', which inspired a wave of copycat films in the late 1990s.

Phillip Noyce

The director of 'The Bone Collector', which was seen as a copycat of Fincher's 'Se7en'.

Andrew Kevin Walker

The screenwriter of 'Se7en', whose work inspired a number of similar neo-noir mystery films in the late 90s.

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What’s next

Audiences will be able to stream 'The Bone Collector' on Starz starting March 1, 2026, giving them a chance to compare the film to the iconic 'Se7en' and reevaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

The takeaway

The influx of 'Se7en' copycats in the late 90s highlights Hollywood's tendency to chase trends, but also shows how even talented casts and crews can struggle to recapture the magic of an influential original. The Bone Collector's move to Starz gives it a chance to be rediscovered and reassessed by modern audiences.