After recently watching a movie set in prison I started wondering which other movies and TV shows ste in prison are worth watching. There is a wide selection of choices available and these are my ten personal favourites.
10. Oz
The first HBO show which had hour-long episodes is one many people remember for its tough and violent way it showed life in a high security prison.
9. Prison Break
In this series Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) gets himself into jail so he is able to help his brother, who’s wrongfully convicted, escape. The show lasted four seasons.
8. Cool Hand Luke
This prisondrama starring Paul Newman shows how a prisoner doesn’t want to bend to the rules of the prison system. The scene in which he has to eat 50 hard boiled eggs within an hour has become an iconic one.
7. Cell 211
Cell 211 is one with a very original story. A man who is about to become a prison guard visits the prison early for a tour. Through circumstances he ends up in a cell at the moment a prison riot starts. It is up to him to pretend he is a prisoner and try to survive.
6. Starred Up
This film about a young man in prison who only seems to be able to get his respect by using his fists during every situation is one that impresses. He gets into trouble with the guards because of his actions, but at the same time also has to deal with the fact his father is locked up in the same prison as well. With amazing performances this is one not to be missed.
5. Papillon
A movie which is really about friendship and not being able to break the human spirit, is set in a prison in South America. With beautiful roles by Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman it is a must see prison film.
4. Un Prophète
For some prison is sort of like a school, where people learn trick of the criminal trade which they use to move up the chain. It is something which this movie clearly shows. During its running time the story gets under your skin, thanks to an stunning performance by Tahar Rahim.
3. Orange is the New Black
This Netflix show which is set in a women’s prison has succeeded to gain a vast number of fan. Thanks to its perfect mix of both drama and comedy its fans binge watched the show as soon as it was available. Thanks to its memorable characters and bizarre situations it is a show which deserves a high spot in this list.
2. The Green Mile
This film, which is based on a Stephen King story is a true movie classic. With its supernatural elements, the drama and solid appearances by Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan and Sam Rockwell this is one of my favourite prisonmovies.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
There is a reason why this movie has been high in the IMDB top 250 for years (usually the number one spot). The reason for it is because it succeeds in showing that even a bad situation can lead to strong friendships and does so by leaving a lasting impression.
What are your favourite prison movies?
What? No Prisoner Cell Block H? It might not be the best, but it’s the one that always comes to mind when I think of prisons on screen 🙂
Well, these are my personal picks and to be honest I have never heard of it….had to look it up on Wikipedia to see it was an Australian soap series. It never aired over here…
I’m actually thinking about starting Oz after I finish The Wire. I’ve heard so many good things and there’s a lot of Wire actors in Oz. Great list!
Oz is incredible, you will not be dissapointed. It is brutal though, makes the wire look like playing with fluffy kittens ;P
Cool! Loved seeing Celda 211 on here. Huge fan of Shawshank and Green Mile. My favorite prison sequence ever would be “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago.
I have never heard of that movie, will try to see if I can find that.
Really? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA6R1DMb-Z8
I though the movie was called Cell Block Tango 🙂 That’s why it didn’t ring a bell. I didn’t like Chicago at all, so that sequence doesn’t do anything for me.
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Impressive list! I only haven’t seen Starred Up so I’m going to try to find it.
Well, you are in for a treat…the performances alone are worth watching it for.
Ah, awesome list. I used to love Prison Break. For the first two seasons. Then wow, it just stretched. I haven’t even finished it. I probably should at some stage. As for your top two picks, there is no way I will fault them. They are absolutely brilliant <3
I agree it got worse after that, but it had a very strong start.
The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile are also my favourite prisonmovies. I believe Orange is the New Black is a great show and I can’t wait to see how it goes futher after the mindblowing season 2 finale. Just a couple of months of waiting… 🙂 Oh yeah, and I also watched the first three seasons of Prison Break. Didn’t like the beginning of the last season though so I stopped watching.
Yeah, I’d be very interested to see what season 3 of Orange is the New Black will bring.
down by law……come on
Have never seen the movie, so that’s why it’s not on my list.
SOme good stuff on that list. I don’t do much TV but I did watch Prison Break and enjoyed it. I love the lesser known Bogart film San Quentin. I’ve also always had a soft spot for Eastwood’s Escape from Alcatraz. And would The Rock qualify? Probably not.
The Rock is my ultimate guilty pleasure. Such a fun movie. I first saw it when I was eight… I’ll nmever remember how terrifying those little green balls were to me as a child!!! 😛
Errr… I’ll never -forget- haha woops
Have not seen either San Quentin or Escape from Alcatraz. I think it would be hard to let The Rock qualify as a prison movie just because part of it is set in an empty prison 😉 But I do think it is a very fun film!
First two that came to mind are your #1 and #2 picks Nostra, glad you read my mind 🙂 I’ve been curious about Starred Up because Jack O’Connell sounds like a wonderful young actor.
He is an awesome actor, so check the movie out if you can Ruth.
Starred Up was great, and I was glad to see Oz on the list, I think prison i think of that show. So freaking brutal, I’m gonna have to read about those other movies cos I haven’t seen any apart from your number 1 and 2
Do check them out if you can Jordan, they are worth watching.
Cool list and great to see Starred Up on there, fantastic film!
Thanks Chris.
Great list. Was always going to be one winner though. Just started recording Oz on my DVR ready for a binge watch – looking forward to it!