Prison movies offer a unique perspective on the struggles of inmates in incarceration, capturing the heart-pounding struggles of survival, redemption, and freedom.
These films, ranging from daring escapes to psychological battles, remind us that even within confinement, the human spirit can soar.
This countdown explores the best prison movies of all time, highlighting those that redefine the genre and leave an indelible mark on cinematic consciousness. Grab your metaphorical shiv and enter the world of memorable prison film.
Name of the Best Prison Movies of All Time
Here is a ranking of the top 10 prison films ever made in commemoration of this intriguing, frightful, exciting, demanding, and occasionally touching genre.
| S. No. | Movies/Shows | IMDB Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Shawshank Redemption | 9.3/10 |
| 2. | The Green Mile | 8.6/10 |
| 3. | Cool Hand Luke | 8.1/10 |
| 4. | Escape from Alcatraz | 7.6/10 |
| 5. | Papillon | 7.2/10 |
| 6. | A Prophet (Un prophète) | 7.8/10 |
| 7. | The Last Castle | 6.9/10 |
| 8. | Stir Crazy | 6.7/10 |
| 9. | Midnight Express | 7.5/10 |
| 10. | Le Trou (The Hole) | 8.5/10 |
Best Prison Movies of All Time
The Shawshank Redemption, a classic prison escape film, has been one of the best movies ever made.
Over 30 years later, it’s celebrated with 10+ of the best prison movies of all time. These films, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella, offer a unique perspective on life in prisons.
From the legendary ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ to the gritty ‘A Prophet’, we have you covered.
#. The Shawshank Redemption
One of the best prison movies of all time is ‘The Shawshank Redemption‘. It is a popular American historical drama film.
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American prison drama film, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella. The film follows banker Andy Dufresne, sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for murdering his wife and lover.
Over the next two decades, he befriends fellow prisoner Ellis “Red” Redding and becomes involved in a money laundering operation led by prison warden Samuel Norton. Supporting roles include William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore.
#. The Green Mile
‘The Green Mile’ is a 1999 American fantasy drama film, directed by Frank Darabont and based on Stephen King’s 1996 novel. Starring Tom Hanks as a death row prison guard, the film explores supernatural events following the arrival of an enigmatic convict, Michael Clarke Duncan.
The film received positive reviews from critics, praising Darabont’s direction, writing, emotional weight, and performances. Despite criticism, the film gained a reputation as one of the best prison movies of all time.
It grossed $286 million from its $60 million budget and was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Duncan, Best Sound, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
#. Cool Hand Luke
Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman as Luke, a prisoner in a Florida camp who refuses to submit. Set in the early 1950s, the film is based on Donn Pearce’s 1965 novel.
The film was criticized as an anti-establishment film, shot during popular opposition to the Vietnam War. Filming took place in California’s San Joaquin River Delta region, with the set imitating a prison farm in the Deep South.
#. Escape from Alcatraz
Another best prison movies of all time is ‘Escape from Alcatraz’. The intriguing narrative and precise escape strategy of this movie is to keep audiences on the tip of their seats.
Escape from Alcatraz is a 1979 American prison action thriller film directed by Don Siegel, co-produced by Richard Tuggle, and starring Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Fred Ward, Jack Thibeau, and Larry Hankin.
The film is an adaptation of the 1963 non-fiction book by J. Campbell Bruce and based on the 1962 prisoner escape from Alcatraz Island.
It marks the fifth and final collaboration between Siegel and Eastwood, following Coogan’s Bluff (1968), Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970), The Beguiled (1971), and Dirty Harry (1971).
#. Papillon
Papillon is a 2017 drama film directed by Michael Noer and the last by Red Granite Pictures.
It tells the story of French convict Henri Charrière, nicknamed Papillon, who was falsely imprisoned in Devil’s Island in 1933 and escaped in 1941 with the help of counterfeiter Louis Dega.
The screenplay is based on Charrière’s autobiographies and the 1973 film adaptation. The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.
#. A Prophet (Un prophète)
Here we are talking about the best prison movies of all time, and it is impossible not to talk about the movie ‘A Prophet’.
A Prophet is a 2009 French prison crime film directed by Jacques Audiard, starring Tahar Rahim as an Algerian petty criminal who rises in prison hierarchy, becoming a mob associate and drug trafficker.
He is absorbed into the Corsican mafia and then the Maghrebi crime syndicate, based on a story by Abdel Raouf Dafri.
#. The Last Castle
The Last Castle is a 2001 American action drama film directed by Rod Lurie, starring Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, and Delroy Lindo.
The film depicts a struggle between inmates and the warden of a military prison, based on the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth.
A decorated U.S. Army Lieutenant General challenges the prison commandant over his treatment of prisoners, leading to an uprising to seize control. The film received mixed reviews and was a financial disappointment.
#. Stir Crazy
Stir Crazy is a 1980 American comedy film directed by Sidney Poitier, written by Bruce Jay Friedman, and produced by Hannah Weinstein.
It stars Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as unemployed friends who are framed for a bank robbery and sentenced to 125 years in prison.
The film reunites Wilder and Pryor, who previously appeared in Silver Streak. Released in the US on December 12, 1980, it was a major financial success.
#. Midnight Express
Midnight Express is one of the best prison movies of all time, directed by Alan Parker and adapted by Oliver Stone from Billy Hayes’s 1977 memoir.
The film stars Brad Davis as Hayes, a young American student sent to a Turkish prison for smuggling hashish.
The film received positive reviews from critics, praising Davis’s performance, the cast, writing, direction, and musical score by Giorgio Moroder. Hayes criticized the film for portraying Turkish prison men as violent and villainous, deviating too much from the source material.
The film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the 51st Academy Awards in 1979, winning Best Adapted Screenplay for Stone and Best Original Score for Moroder.
It also won six Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture—Drama, and BAFTA Awards for Best Direction, Best Editing, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Hurt.
#. Le Trou (The Hole)
The Hole (French: Le Trou) is a 1960 French crime film directed by Jacques Becker, based on José Giovanni’s 1957 book The Break.
The film tells the story of five prison inmates in La Santé Prison in France in 1947. The film, which was released under its French title, was a direct adaptation of The Break and was entered into the 1960 Cannes Film Festival.
The film features mostly non-actors, including Jean Keraudy, who was involved in the escape attempt.
Which Prisoners Movie is the Most Realistic?
Among the prisoners films I’ve discussed, “A Prophet” (Un prophète) stands out as one of the most realistic depictions of prison life.
Jacques Audiard directs this French film, which dives into the brutal and intricate world of prison. Here’s why it’s considered realistic:
- Authentic Setting: The film takes place in a French prison, and the attention to detail in showing the surroundings, everyday activities, and relationships amongst convicts feels authentic.
- Character Development: The main character, Malik, undergoes a transformation from a vulnerable newcomer to a savvy survivor. His struggles, alliances, and gradual rise within the prison hierarchy are portrayed realistically.
- Social Dynamics: “A Prophet” explores the power dynamics, racial tensions, and survival strategies prevalent in prison. It doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities faced by inmates.
- Complex Relationships: The interactions among convicts, guards, and other prisoners are varied. The film explores the complexities of trust, treachery, and companionship in prison.
- Subtle Symbolism: The usage of symbolism, such as Malik’s literacy journey and the importance of language, enriches the tale. It captures the intricacies of personal development while in prison.
While no prisoners films can fully capture the entirety of prison life, “A Prophet” comes closest to portraying the raw emotions, challenges, and resilience of those behind bars. This movie is an excellent option if authenticity is what you’re looking for.
Some Other Realistic Prison Movies
Certainly! If you’re looking for more realistic prison films, here are some appealing options:
Felon (2008):
The 2008 American prisoner film, Felon, directed by Ric Roman Waugh, tells the story of a family man who ends up in state prison after killing an intruder. Based on events from the 1990s at the notorious California State Prison, Corcoran, the film was released on July 18, 2008.
Starred Up (2013):
The film Starred Up, a 2013 British prison crime drama, follows Jonathan Asser’s experiences as a voluntary therapist at HM Prison Wandsworth, focusing on the early transfer of violent criminals.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017):
In 2017, American neo-noir film Brawl in Cell Block 99 follows Bradley Thomas, a drug mule, as he kills a man in prison to save his pregnant wife from a vengeful drug lord.
Prison Break (2005) (TV Series):
Prison Break is an American television series starring Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield, who escape prison to clear their names. Created by Paul Scheuring and executive-produced by Matt Olmstead, Kevin Hooks, Marty Adelstein, Dawn Parouse, Neal H. Moritz, and Brett Ratner.
These prisoner films explore the intricacies of prison life, including inmates’ challenges, affiliations, and survival instincts. Whether you’re looking for brutal drama or thought-provoking stories, these films provide a view into the life beyond prison walls.
Some of the Most Violent Prison Movies
When it comes to violent prison movies, several intense films have left audiences gripping their seats. Here are some notable ones:
Shot Caller (2017):
Shot Caller is a 2017 American crime thriller film directed by Ric Roman Waugh, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as a family man who becomes a prison gangster after a deadly DUI accident. The film stars Omari Hardwick, Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal, and others.
Get the Gringo (2012):
Adrian Grunberg directed the 2012 American action film Get the Gringo (also known as How I Spent My Summer Vacation), which was produced, co-written, and starred Mel Gibson.
Mel Gibson plays as a professional crook who ends himself in a brutal Mexican jail. His survival and odd partnership with a small child create a thrilling and brutal trip.
Law Abiding Citizen (2009):
Law Abiding Citizen is a 2009 American vigilante action thriller film directed by F. Gary Gray, written by Kurt Wimmer, and starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler.
Set in Philadelphia, the film follows a man seeking justice against his family’s killer and those supporting a corrupt criminal justice system. The film combines action, crime, and drama, with intense moments that linger in memory.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017):
Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a 2017 American neo-noir prison action thriller film directed by S. Craig Zahler and starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, Udo Kier, Marc Blucas, and Tom Guiry. It follows Bradley Thomas’ journey to save his pregnant wife from a vindictive drug lord.
While each of these movies contains violence, “Shot Caller” stands out for its unflinching depiction of gang relationships and the horrific decisions made by its protagonist. Viewer discretion is recommended!