Best Movies About Prison

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongfully convicted of murder who is sentenced to life in the fictional Shawshank State Penitentiary. During his time at Shawshank, he befriends a fellow prisoner, Ellis "Red" Redding, and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money-laundering operation. After several decades, Andy is able to gain his freedom by smuggling himself out of the prison in a bag of rocks. The film stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and features a strong supporting cast, including Bob Gunton and James Whitmore. The film was a commercial and critical success and is now considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 American fantasy drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1996 Stephen King novel of the same name. Set in the 1930s, the film focuses on the relationship between a death row corrections officer, played by Tom Hanks, and an enigmatic inmate, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, who possesses a supernatural gift. The story follows Paul Edgecomb, the head guard on Death Row, as he develops a deep friendship with John Coffey, an African-American inmate who is accused of murdering two girls. As he witnesses Coffey's miraculous healing powers, Edgecomb begins to question his own beliefs about justice and redemption. Through a series of powerful, emotionally charged moments, the film examines themes of faith, friendship, loss, and forgiveness. Ultimately, it is a story of hope in the darkest of moments.

From Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin, J.D. Cannon
Rated GP

Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman as the rebellious prisoner Luke Jackson. The film tells the story of a man who refuses to conform to the arbitrary rules of a rural prison camp, and as a result, is met with cruelty and brutality from the prison guards. Despite the harshness of his surroundings, Luke maintains a rebellious spirit, and ultimately earns the respect of his fellow inmates. The film is renowned for its powerful performances, its unique style of cinematography, and its thematic exploration of the idea of rebelling against conformity. Ultimately, Cool Hand Luke is an inspiring story of redemption and the power of resilience in the face of adversity.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory, Don Gordon
Rated R

Papillon (1973) is a crime drama directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The film tells the true story of a French safecracker named Henri ‘Papillon’ Charrière, who is convicted of murder and sent to a notorious penal colony on the island of French Guiana. Determined to escape, Papillon forms an unlikely alliance with a convicted counterfeiter and the two men embark on a daring and perilous journey to freedom. Along the way, they must also confront the harsh and inhumane conditions of the prison, as well as betrayal, corruption, and violence. Papillon is a thrilling and inspiring story of courage, resilience, and the human spirit.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Damian Chapa, Jesse Borrego, Benjamin Bratt, Enrique Castillo
Rated R

Blood In, Blood Out is a 1993 crime drama film directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Damian Chapa, Enrique Castillo, Jesse Borrego and Benjamin Bratt. The film follows three young Mexican-American cousins who grow up in East Los Angeles. Miklo Velka (Damian Chapa) is sent to prison for a crime committed by his cousin Cruz (Jesse Borrego), and upon his release, he is determined to avenge his cousin’s betrayal. The film explores the dark side of the inner city and its gang culture. Through its gritty realism, Blood In, Blood Out paints a picture of a divided society, with violence and revenge at the heart of its story.

From Oliver Hirschbiegel, starring Moritz Bleibtreu, Christian Berkel, Oliver Stokowski, Wotan Wilke Möhring
Rated R

The Experiment is a 2001 German psychological thriller film directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and starring Moritz Bleibtreu and Christian Berkel. The film is based on the true story of the 1971 Stanford prison experiment. The film takes place in a fictional prison in Germany, where a group of 24 volunteer men are randomly divided into "prisoners" and "guards," in order to study the psychological effects of perceived power. Over a two-week period, the "guards" gradually become crueler and more oppressive, while the "prisoners" struggle to retain a sense of identity and human dignity. The experiment spirals out of control, as the "guards" become increasingly violent and the "prisoners" resort to desperate measures to survive. In the end, the experiment is stopped and all of the participants are released. The film examines the darker side of human nature, and the power of authority and control.

From Don Siegel, starring Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Roberts Blossom, Jack Thibeau
Rated PG

Escape from Alcatraz is a 1979 American prison escape-thriller film directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood, Fred Ward, and Jack Thibeau. It is based on the true story of three prisoners at the maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island who escaped in June 1962. Frank Morris (Eastwood) is a bank robber serving a life sentence in Alcatraz, a maximum security prison. After months of meticulous planning, he and two other inmates, John Anglin (Ward) and Clarence Anglin (Thibeau), hatch a daring escape plan. They dig through the walls of their cells and build a raft from stolen raincoats. Despite obstacles, they make it to the shore and disappear into San Francisco Bay. The escapees remain at large, creating a media frenzy and prompting an exhaustive manhunt. Although the US Marshall service assumes the men drowned, their families believe they are still alive. The mystery of the escape from Alcatraz remains unsolved to this day.

From F. Gary Gray, starring Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney
Rated R

From Ric Roman Waugh, starring Stephen Dorff, Marisol Nichols, Vincent Miller, Anne Archer
Rated R

From Phil Joanou, starring Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Leon Rippy
Rated PG-13

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews, Katy Barker
Rated R

From Adrian Grunberg, starring Mel Gibson, Kevin Balmore, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Jesús Ochoa
Rated R

From Simon West, starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Colm Meaney
Rated R

From Mikael Håfström, starring Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, 50 Cent, Vincent D'Onofrio
Rated R

From Steve Buscemi, starring Willem Dafoe, Edward Furlong, Danny Trejo, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

From Paul W.S. Anderson, starring Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane
Rated R

From Peter Segal, starring Adam Sandler, Burt Reynolds, Chris Rock, Nelly
Rated PG-13

From Directors: James Mather, Steve Saint Leger, starring Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan
Rated PG-13

From Bob Odenkirk, starring Dax Shepard, Will Arnett, Chi McBride, David Koechner
Rated R

From John Curran, starring Edward Norton, Milla Jovovich, Robert De Niro, Frances Conroy
Rated R

From Don Michael Paul, starring Morris Chestnut, Steven Seagal, Matt Battaglia, Ja Rule
Rated PG-13