Best Prison Break Movies
In times like these, who hasn't wanted to make a run for it? But at least you're not in jail. Which of these movies features the best escape?
rank
title
points
votes
your vote
1
The Shawshank Redemption
Unjustly imprisoned, Andy Dufrense's ultimate triumph makes us cheer not only because he deserves it, but because he earns it. 67 105
Unjustly imprisoned, Andy Dufrense's ultimate triumph makes us cheer not only because he deserves it, but because he earns it. 67 105
2
The Great Escape
Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough lead the strong cast as Allied soldiers set on escaping a German POW camp via an elaborate series of tunnels (and one amazing motorcycle jump) in this true story. 50 80
Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough lead the strong cast as Allied soldiers set on escaping a German POW camp via an elaborate series of tunnels (and one amazing motorcycle jump) in this true story. 50 80
3
Cool Hand Luke
The late, great Paul Newman brilliantly portrays the stubbornly hard-to-tame Lucas Jackson, who tries to hop the fence time and time again. 47 81
The late, great Paul Newman brilliantly portrays the stubbornly hard-to-tame Lucas Jackson, who tries to hop the fence time and time again. 47 81
4
Escape from Alcatraz
Here's Clint Eastwood inhabiting the kind of stoic role for which he was born to play: Frank Morris, one of the three prisoners believed to have succeeded in escaping "The Rock." 32 82
Here's Clint Eastwood inhabiting the kind of stoic role for which he was born to play: Frank Morris, one of the three prisoners believed to have succeeded in escaping "The Rock." 32 82
5
Papillon
An escapist film about an escape. Henri Charriere's memoir of his incarceration in and flight from Devil's Island, a French penal colony, provided Steve McQueen with arguably his finest role. 26 70
An escapist film about an escape. Henri Charriere's memoir of his incarceration in and flight from Devil's Island, a French penal colony, provided Steve McQueen with arguably his finest role. 26 70
6
Stalag 17
Billy Wilder's World War II classic pits a group of American pilots against their Nazi captors (and a traitor in their midst). 22 68
Billy Wilder's World War II classic pits a group of American pilots against their Nazi captors (and a traitor in their midst). 22 68
7
Escape from New York
NYC has been portrayed onscreen as everything from an impossibly hip fantasy land to a lawless hellhole, so why not a maximum security prison. 1 67
NYC has been portrayed onscreen as everything from an impossibly hip fantasy land to a lawless hellhole, so why not a maximum security prison. 1 67
8
Con Air
The violence is relentless; the dialogue is clever; and as usual, Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, Ving Rhames and Steve Buscemi are great. -1 81
The violence is relentless; the dialogue is clever; and as usual, Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, Ving Rhames and Steve Buscemi are great. -1 81
9
The Count of Monte Cristo
The power of this classic Alexander Dumas tale hasn't diminished in the two centuries since it was written, and Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce and Richard Harris all deliver excellent performances. -1 61
The power of this classic Alexander Dumas tale hasn't diminished in the two centuries since it was written, and Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce and Richard Harris all deliver excellent performances. -1 61
10
Midnight Express
Adapted by a young Oliver Stone from Billy Hayes' autobiography, this film is a harrowing tale of an American student thrown into a Turkish prison for drug smuggling. -3 67
Adapted by a young Oliver Stone from Billy Hayes' autobiography, this film is a harrowing tale of an American student thrown into a Turkish prison for drug smuggling. -3 67
Share Link
RSS
Get Widget
