Best Kidnapping Movies

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a science fiction action thriller from director Christopher Nolan. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a professional thief who is hired to steal information from the mind of a rival businessman. To accomplish this, he and a team of specialists use a technology called "inception" to implant an idea deep into the subconscious. The team navigates a series of increasingly dangerous dream worlds to complete the task, all while being pursued by powerful forces who seek to stop them. Along the way, they must grapple with their own inner demons and the consequences of their choices. As the story progresses, the team discovers that the mission is far more complicated than it initially appeared. In the end, they must confront the truth of what they are doing and the choices they have made in order to survive.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. The film follows Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), a young FBI trainee, who is assigned to hunt down a serial killer nicknamed "Buffalo Bill" (Ted Levine). To do so, she must enlist the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), an incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer and genius psychologist. With Lecter's insight, Starling is able to uncover the identity of the killer and rescue the latest victim before it is too late. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The Silence of the Lambs is considered an iconic film and is often cited as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Byeong-Ok
Rated R

Oldboy is an award-winning South Korean revenge thriller directed by Park Chan-wook and released in 2003. The film follows Oh Dae-su, a businessman who is inexplicably locked in a strange hotel-like prison for 15 years without any explanation or contact from his captors. After finally being released, he embarks on a mission of revenge and discovers a much darker secret linked to his past. The film is considered a classic of South Korean cinema and won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

From James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves, Stephen Rea
Rated R

V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowski Brothers, based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The film stars Hugo Weaving as V, an anarchist freedom fighter who attempts to ignite a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts and Natalie Portman as Evey Hammond, a young woman who is rescued from an encounter with the secret police by V, who becomes his ally. V for Vendetta is set in a near-future dystopian Britain, under the rule of a fascist and oppressive government, where freedom and individual rights have been abolished. V, a mysterious freedom fighter, dons a Guy Fawkes mask and hat to become an iconic symbol of rebellion against the government. V uses terrorist tactics to bring down the government by taking revenge upon its corruption and by inspiring others to join his cause. Evey and V eventually form a romantic relationship, and Evey helps V with his mission of revenge and revolution. The film culminates in a successful revolution, in which V and Evey are both recognized as heroes of the new regime.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo
Rated R

Prisoners is a 2013 thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve. The story follows two families whose lives are thrown into chaos when their two young daughters go missing. Desperate to find the girls, the desperate father of one of the girls, Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), takes matters into his own hands, kidnapping the prime suspect in the girls' disappearance, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), and subjecting him to a series of torturous interrogations. Along the way, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) works to solve the mystery of the missing girls, and uncovers a much darker and more sinister plot than he could have ever imagined. Prisoners is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that explores the lengths that people will go to protect their loved ones, and the darkness that lies beneath the seemingly perfect façade of suburban life.

From Lenny Abrahamson, starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Wendy Crewson
Rated R

Room is a 2015 drama film directed by Lenny Abrahamson and starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, and Sean Bridgers. It is based on the novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue. The film tells the story of Ma (Brie Larson) and her five-year-old son Jack (Jacob Tremblay), who are being held captive in a small room. Ma has been held in Room for seven years, ever since she was kidnapped at age 17. Over the years, she has managed to create a life for herself and her son in their limited space, but eventually Jack starts to realize that there is a world beyond the walls of Room. Ma, determined to give Jack a chance at a life of freedom, devises a plan for the two of them to escape. Room is an emotional and powerful story of hope, resilience, and courage in the face of adversity. It is a story of a mother and son who find strength and love in each other, and ultimately find the courage to face the world outside.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her
Rated R

Gran Torino is a 2008 film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. The film follows Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran living in a changing neighborhood in Michigan. As the people around him become increasingly diverse, Walt finds himself struggling to adjust. When a local teenager, Thao Vang Lor, attempts to steal his prized 1972 Gran Torino as part of a gang initiation, Walt confronts him and demands he work off the debt. The two begin a tentative friendship, and Walt soon becomes a mentor to Thao and his family. Through their relationship, Walt is able to confront his own prejudices and reconnect with his own past and culture. Ultimately, Walt takes a stand against the gangs that plague the neighborhood, at great expense to himself.

From James Gunn, starring Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana
Rated PG-13

Guardians of the Galaxy is a 2014 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. Directed by James Gunn, the film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, and Sean Gunn. The film follows Peter Quill, a human-alien hybrid, who forms an uneasy alliance with a group of extraterrestrial misfits who are on the run after stealing a mysterious orb. Together, they must work together to keep the powerful weapon out of the hands of a villain intent on destroying the galaxy. Along the way, the Guardians of the Galaxy discover the importance of friendship and loyalty and must ultimately sacrifice everything to save the universe.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins
Rated R

The Hateful Eight is a 2015 American Western/mystery film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film centers around a group of bounty hunters and criminals who take refuge in a stagecoach stopover during a blizzard. When they arrive, they discover that the stopover is already occupied by a Confederate General and a hangman. Over the course of the film, they uncover a conspiracy involving a large bounty, and tensions begin to rise as they find themselves trapped together in the cabin. The film is a thrilling exploration of themes of racism, justice, and morality.

From Pierre Morel, starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser
Rated PG-13

Taken is a 2008 action thriller directed by Pierre Morel, starring Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills, a retired CIA operative. When his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), is kidnapped by a human trafficking ring in Paris, Bryan must use his unique set of skills to track them down and rescue her. With the help of a former colleague and his ex-wife, he embarks on a violent and relentless mission to save Kim from her captors. With the stakes higher than ever, Bryan must rely on his instincts to outwit the criminals and survive a brutal game of cat and mouse.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a 1990 American psychological horror film directed by Rob Reiner and starring James Caan and Kathy Bates. In the film, Caan plays Paul Sheldon, an author who is rescued after a car crash by an obsessed fan, played by Bates. The fan, Annie Wilkes, forces Sheldon to write a novel in her image, while holding him captive and torture him if he fails to comply with her demands. As Sheldon tries to escape, Wilkes' mental condition deteriorates and he finds himself in a desperate fight for his life. With its suspenseful atmosphere and intense performances, Misery has been regarded as one of the best films of its genre.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Catherine Keener
Rated PG-13

Captain Phillips is a gripping thriller based on a true story. It follows the titular character, Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), as he takes command of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama as it sails through the pirate-infested waters of the Somali Coast. After the pirates successfully hijack the ship, taking Phillips and a few of his crew members hostage, Phillips finds himself in a battle of wills with the dangerous leader of the pirates, Muse (Barkhad Abdi). A high-stakes stand-off ensues between the two sides as the U.S. Navy closes in, ultimately resulting in a daring rescue of Phillips and his crew. The film is a taut, thrilling adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan, Gattlin Griffith
Rated R

Changeling is a 2008 American suspense drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by J. Michael Straczynski. The film stars Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins, a single mother whose nine-year-old son, Walter, goes missing in 1928. When the LAPD brings her an impostor child, claiming him to be Walter, Christine refuses to accept him, prompting a major manhunt across the country. Despite police corruption and cover-ups, Christine is determined to find her son, no matter the cost. The film follows her struggle to reunite with her son and expose the truth behind his disappearance.

From Jordan Peele, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener
Rated R

Get Out is a 2017 horror/comedy film written, produced and directed by Jordan Peele. It follows Chris Washington, a young African-American man, who visits his Caucasian girlfriend's family's estate. He soon discovers a disturbing secret about the estate's inhabitants and their sinister plans for him. With help from his friend Rod and his would-be brother-in-law, Chris attempts to escape the estate and the sinister forces that lurk within. The film is a commentary on racism and social injustice, while also exploring themes of fear, identity, and the power of choice. Get Out debuted to critical acclaim and achieved great commercial success, becoming one of the most profitable films of 2017 and earning Peele an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

From Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell
Rated R

Man on Fire is a 2004 action thriller directed by Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington as John Creasy, a former assassin-turned-bodyguard. Creasy is hired to protect a young girl in Mexico City, Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning), daughter of a wealthy industrialist. When Pita is kidnapped despite his vigilance, Creasy embarks on a quest to rescue her and punish those responsible. Throughout the film, Creasy is driven by his rage and desire for revenge as he confronts the criminals of the city. He begins to bond with Pita and her family, forming a protective bond that surpasses his original mission. In the end, Creasy is ultimately successful in rescuing Pita, avenging her kidnapping and exacting revenge on the criminals.

From James Gunn, starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel
Rated PG-13

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a 2017 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy. It is the sequel to the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy and the fifteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by James Gunn, the film stars an ensemble cast featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell. Set two months after the first film, the Guardians of the Galaxy travel throughout the cosmos and struggle to keep their newfound family together, while helping Peter Quill learn more about his true parentage. Along the way, they come across a mysterious being known as Ego, who turns out to be Quill's long-lost father. As they come to terms with Ego's own agenda, they must also face a new threat from within their own ranks. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true parentage.

From Ben Affleck, starring Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan
Rated R

Gone Baby Gone is a 2007 American neo-noir mystery film directed by Ben Affleck and based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The film stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and Amy Ryan. The story focuses on two private investigators, Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, who are hired to investigate the kidnapping of four-year-old Amanda McCready from the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. The search leads them into the seedy underworld of drugs and organized crime, and ultimately, to a shocking and disturbing conclusion. Along the way, the detectives must confront difficult moral and ethical decisions which have life-altering consequences.

From Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer
Rated R

Inside Man is a 2006 American heist thriller film directed by Spike Lee, and starring Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, and Christopher Plummer. The plot follows a bank robber named Dalton Russell (Owen) and a team of robbers, who come up with a masterful plan to rob a bank in Manhattan. The police, led by Detective Keith Frazier (Washington) and Madeline White (Foster) are called in to try and negotiate a peaceful resolution. However, as the situation escalates, it becomes clear that there is more to the robbery than meets the eye. The film follows the twists and turns of the robbery, which expose a complicated web of lies and deceit, all while the robbers attempt to get away with their crime.

From James Wan, starring Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Ken Leung
Rated R

Saw is a horror-thriller film directed by James Wan and released in 2004. The movie follows two men, Dr. Lawrence Gordon and Adam, who are abducted and locked in a room by a serial killer known as Jigsaw. Jigsaw forces the two men to play a deadly game in which Lawrence must kill Adam in order to save his family or else he will die. The men must fight for their lives amidst a series of traps and puzzles set up by Jigsaw as part of his twisted plan. Meanwhile, a detective named Tapp is on the hunt for Jigsaw and will stop at nothing to bring him to justice. As the game progresses, the men realize that they must work together to survive and uncover the truth behind Jigsaw's motives.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes
Rated R

The Skin I Live In is a 2011 psychological thriller by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. It follows plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) and his obsession with creating a synthetic skin for burn victims. His obsession is driven by a tragic past involving his wife. He tests his synthetic skin on a mysterious captive named Vera (Elena Anaya), whom he has kept in his mansion for years. As Dr. Ledgard's obsession deepens, Vera's identity and past begin to unravel. The Skin I Live In is a complex exploration of identity, beauty, revenge and the consequences of obsession.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jacob Vargas
Rated R

Traffic is a crime drama directed by Steven Soderbergh. It follows multiple storylines involving American and Mexican drug trafficking. It follows a US Supreme Court Justice who is appointed as the nation's drug czar, a Mexican police officer on the trail of a powerful drug lord, and a wealthy businessman whose daughter becomes entangled in the drug trade. The film explores the corrupt and powerful world of drug trafficking, and its effects on American and Mexican society. It has an ensemble cast featuring Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Steven Bauer. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Soderbergh.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin
Rated PG-13

True Grit is a 2010 American Western film directed by the Coen brothers. Starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin, it is a remake of the 1969 film of the same name, which was adapted from the 1968 novel of the same name by Charles Portis. The story follows a young girl, Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), as she embarks on a quest to find the man who murdered her father. She enlists the help of an aging U.S. Marshall, Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), and a Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf (Matt Damon). The three must work together to track down the killer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Along the way, they encounter many obstacles, including a band of outlaws, a hostile Native American tribe, and a wild river. Despite their differences, the three are able to overcome all of the obstacles and eventually find Chaney. In the end, justice is served, Mattie's father is avenged, and Mattie learns valuable lessons about life, justice, and the importance of honoring one's word.

From Michael Haneke, starring Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering
Rated Not Rated

Funny Games is a 1997 psychological thriller film written and directed by Michael Haneke. The film follows a family consisting of a mother, father, and young son who are held hostage in their vacation home by two young men. The men proceed to toy with the family, subjecting them to various forms of psychological and physical torment. As the family grows increasingly desperate, the men become more and more cruel, eventually leading to a violent conclusion. The film serves both as a critique of violence and a meditation on the nature of human psychology.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Song Kang-ho, Shin Ha-kyun, Bae Doona, Ji-Eun Lim
Rated R

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is a 2002 South Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook. It follows Ryu, a deaf man living in poverty, who desperately seeks a kidney transplant for his ailing sister. He attempts to get the money by kidnapping the daughter of his former employer, but things quickly spiral out of control. The film is a violent, dark tale of revenge and retribution that explores themes of justice, morality, and guilt.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Laura Dern, T.J. Lowther
Rated PG-13

A Perfect World is a 1993 crime drama directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood. The film follows the story of escaped convict Butch Haynes (Costner) and his unlikely bond with Phillip (T.J. Lowther), a young boy he kidnapped. As the police search for Butch and Phillip, they form a unique connection as Phillip's presence helps Butch flee his criminal past and focus on his new role as a father figure. Along the way, Butch is hunted by Texas Ranger Red Garnett (Eastwood), who is determined to capture him before he can harm Phillip. As the unlikely duo travel across Texas, they encounter a variety of characters who help them on their journey - ultimately teaching Butch the power of redemption and the importance of family.