Not many genres have earned the appreciation of prison. Since the 1970’s, prison is a setting that has made for engaging movies. Whether it’s redemptive prisoners, wrongful convicts or strict security officers, the genre has created many characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about prison that deserve to be celebrated.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
Hope is something that I’ve often found hard finding. As far as I can remember, I’ve never been a hopeful person. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I began failing classes in my high school causing sorrow. Unable to cope with the tense pressure posed by high school studies, I faced intense anxiety. During a painful time, it was impossible for me to see a bright light shining at the end of the pitch-black tunnel. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how hope allows prisoners in dark jails to achieve redemption as powerfully as “The Shawshank Redemption”. Ever since its release in 1994, Frank Darabont’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about jail. With the greatest film of his career, Darabont used innovative cinematic techniques to capture prisoners in jail facing despair. Darabont has always excelled at making great movies about prisons putting people in grave danger, and “The Shawshank Redempton” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Darabont used voice-over narration to capture the strong bonds between a pair of close inmates forming friendships in prison. For instance, the scene in which Red recounts his memories of laying eyes on Andy Dufresne in prison for the first time facing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Morgan Freeman, who portrayed a inmate forming friendships in prison. Ultimately, what makes “The Shawshank Redemption” my favourite film about jail of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most prison movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about friends which will resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about inmates questioning whether they should get busy living or get busy dying forming lasting bonds in a scary prison, it’s a bold reminder of a great genre that has always produced strong movies which deserve celebration.
2. Sing Sing
Wrongful conviction shaped my friend’s personality. At an early age, my friend faced outrage when his father was sent to prison for crimes he didn’t commit causing damage. He never quit questioning why his father imprisoned for crimes he didn’t commit. Left devastated, my friend couldn’t accept death of a father incarcerated for crimes he hadn’t committed. As someone treasuring a friend whose father faced wrongful conviction that’s frightening, I adored “Sing Sing”. Released in 2023, Greg Kewdar’s movie depicted African-Americans facing wrongful conviction. Kwedar used captivating montages capturing hardships that an African-American man facing wrongful conviction in prison is experiencing. For instance, the scene in which Divine G has an emotional breakdown during a theatre rehearsal causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Colman Domingo, who embodied an African-American prisoner facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Sing Sing” a prison classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about wrongful conviction which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of wrongful conviction causing lives of black theatre actors to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies audiences appreciate.
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Mental institutions have shaped my personality. When I was diagnosed with Autism, I visited mental hospitals in hopes of resolving my problem. I remember visiting mental institutions that gave me valuable tips on how to overcome disorders. It was fascinating observing the way the institution functioned taking care of patients. As someone that witnessed institutions in which patients face unrest, I adored “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Released in 1975, Milos Forman’s movie captured mental institutions. Forman has an aptitude for capturing mental disorders, and “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which McMurphy is given an electric shock after refusing to obey orders of his institution causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Jack Nicholson, who embodied a patient of an institution. Ultimately, what makes “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1970’s which are outdated, its themes remain relevant today. A bold portrait of wards in which patients face unrest, it’s a good reminder of a commemorated genre making the best movies which leave audiences impressed.
4. Just Mercy
Lawyers with dedication always earned my cousin’s appreciation. I remember my cousin always admired righteous lawyers that fought courtroom cases in danger. He grew up to embrace lawyers resolving a courtroom case. He would always admire lawyers saving innocent convicts from circumstances which were dire. As someone treasure memories of a cousin that adored lawyers offering mercy, I appreciated “Just Mercy”. Released in 2019, Destin Daniel Cretton’s movie captured a black man wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit in legal proceedings. Cretton uses captivating monologues capturing tensions that a lawyer defending a black convict is facing. For instance, the scene in which Bryan Stevenson becomes aware of the legal injustice in the court causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Jamie Foxx, who portrayed a man facing wrongful conviction. Ultimately, what makes “Just Mercy” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most courtroom dramas, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of racism faced by convicts in the modern American legal system, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre with wisdom that has manufactured unforgettable movies about frightening prisons which have achieved stardom.
5. The Irishman
Aging is a painful process that causes seniors to face stress. I recall with nostalgia memories of a grandma that suffered from Dementia. Recently, I witnessed my grandmother face severe consequences of aging. She had the habit to forget places, events and people. It was heartbreaking seeing a grandmother I loved face consequences of aging. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured consequences of aging causing destruction as powerfully as “The Irishman”. Released in 2019, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured aging gangsters in prison facing adversity. Scorsese has an aptitude for making great movies about prisons, and “The Irishman” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Russell tells Frank it is what it is warning him that he has to murder Jimmy Hoffa is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Robert De Niro, who captured a gangster’s sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Irishman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about aging which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as murders that Frank Sheeran has committed, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies that are appreciated.
6. I’m Still Here
Prisons where people face uphill battles are common in Brazil. Brazil has built an image of being a nation where prisoners often face emotional damage. The painful burden that prisoners in Brazil bear causing despair is beautifully depicted in the movie “I’m Still Here”. Released in 2024, Walter Salles’ Oscar-winning movie depicting prisons in Brazil. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “I’m Still Here” stand out is its depiction of Brazil. Salles uses captivating handheld camerawork capturing tensions that prisoners in 1970’s Brazil were facing. Assisted by Fernanda Torres who is extraordinary in the lead role, Salles created a compelling prison drama. A powerful portrait of prisons in Brazil, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which have never lost their abilities to thrill.
7. Judas and the Black Messiah
Fred Hampton is a legendary African-American political leader that experienced prison. During the 1960’s, Hampton was an African-American social activist that fought racism. In 2021, Shaka King honoured the iconic political leader that changed America in his movie “Judas and the Black Messiah”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Judas and the Black Messiah” stand out is its depiction of politics. King uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a black political leader during the segregation era was facing. Assisted by Daniel Kaluuya who is sensational in the lead role, King honoured an iconic leader in America. Nearly 60 years after Fred Hampton became an African-American political leader that’s inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre making engaging movies which are worth celebrating.
8. The Mauritanian
When it comes to the most shocking cases of wrongful conviction in U.S. history, it’s worth discussing Mohamedou Ould Slahi. A Mauritania native, Slahi spent 14 years in Guantanamo Bay without charges of crime. In 2021, Kevin Macdonald honoured the prisoner that faced wrongful conviction in his movie “The Mauritanian”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Mauritanian” stand out is its depiction of Guantanamo Bay. Macdonald uses real-life locales to capture the unforgiving nature of a prison that’s frightening. Assisted by Jodie Foster who is extraordinary in the lead role, Macdonald honoured a prison’s legacy. 30 years after a Mauritanian native was held prisoner in Guantanamo Bay with a price to pay, it’s a strong reminder about a commemorated genre that has produced movies that deserve to be celebrated today.
9. Shutter Island
Few books ever written about prisons situated on an island are as beloved as Shutter Island. Since its publication in 2003, Dennis Lehane’s novel has become a literary classic. In 2010, Martin Scorsese honoured the classic book about a haunted island in his movie “Shutter Island”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Shutter Island” stand out is its unreliable narration. Scorsese effectively uses unreliable narration to capture the declining mental health of a disturbed patient in a frightening prison. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Scorsese created a portrait of mental hospitals that’s compelling. As memorable as islands that are investigated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies about prisons which deserve to be appreciated.
10. Zero Dark Thirty
Few movies ever made about scary prisons have built a legacy as strong as “Zero Dark Thirty”. Released in 2012, Kathryn Bigelow’s movie captured prisons used by the CIA. Bigelow used captivating handheld camerawork capturing CIA torturing suspects in prisons which are frightening. Assisted by Jessica Chastain who is extraordinary in the lead role, Bigelow captured terrorism in American history. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of torture used by the CIA in prisons has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 20 years after the CIA used torture as a tactic in prisons which were tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre that has produced unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish dreams of being a film critic.
The Film Buff 