Chopper [2000]
Chopper is not just a thought-provoking dark comedy but also a gritty prison movie and an engaging character study, a fucking masterpiece.
Prison Movies
Starred Up [2013]
Boasting humor that only comes out from such a horrid place as a prison, Starred Up is a compelling masterpiece oozing authenticity.
A Prayer Before Dawn [2017]
Immersive and hauntingly realistic, A Prayer Before Dawn is a gripping prison movie based on an incredible true story, a true masterpiece.
No Escape [1994]
Set on an island turned into a prison, No Escape is a solid B science fiction action movie elevated by Ray Liotta’s strong performance.
Sulla Mia Pelle AKA On My Skin [2018]
I tend to avoid slow dramas featuring difficult stories that are hard to watch. Usually, there has to be something
The Escapist [2008]
Quirky and aloof but still entertaining, The Escapist is a different kind of prison movie featuring an excellent cast led by Brian Cox.
Camp X Ray [2014]
Devoid of melodrama and focused on the characters, one of which is the prison itself, Guantanamo Bay, Camp X Ray is above all a human story.
Felon [2008]
Felon is a slow-burning prison movie featuring excellent performances, a realistic and intense atmosphere, and a haunting true story.
Against The Wall [1994]
Based on fascinating true events, Against The Wall is an incredibly well-crafted and thought-provoking prison movie with relentless pacing.
Shot Caller [2017]
Derivative but visually appealing, Shot Caller is a standard-issue gritty prison movie amplified by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s strong performance.
Son of a Gun [2014]
Stylish and entertaining, Son of a Gun is an Australian crime thriller with a familiar story and characters bound to keep your attention.
Blood In Blood Out AKA Bound by Honor [1993]
Emotional, visceral, and based on real events, Blood In Blood Out is a masterpiece that will become one of your favorite crime movies. Orale!
Fortress [1992]
Going wild with the concept of a futuristic prison, Fortress is an entertaining B science fiction movie with a lot of action and familiar faces.
Le Trou AKA The Hole [1960]
Compelling and intense, Le Trou is without a shadow of a doubt the best prison escape movie based on a true story and with an engaging atmosphere.
Escape from Pretoria [2020]
Incredibly intense and nerve-wracking, Escape From Pretoria is a prison break movie based on true events taking place during Apartheid in South Africa.
The Big Bird Cage [1972]
If you’ve never heard of the sexploitation subgenre, The Big Bird Cage is a great way to get to know it. It features an easygoing atmosphere, an exotic setting and just the right amounts of sleaze.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 [2017]
Intense and gritty, Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a testosterone-filled extravaganza set in prison features great action sequences and nightmarish atmosphere.
![The Hard Word [2002] Movie Review Recommendation](https://subversiverabbit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/The-Hard-Word-Feature.jpg)
The Hard Word [2002]
Juicy crime/heist thriller with a strong cast, great story, and authentic atmosphere. If you’re tired of American heist movies check out this Aussie one.
Celda 211 AKA Cell 211 [2009]
Intense, raw, and engaging, Celda 211 AKA Cell 211 is a highly underrated Spanish thriller and one of the best prison movies I’ve ever seen.
Lockout [2012]
Following a familiar space-actioner formula, Lockout is a fun and stylish science fiction movie and a definition of a guilty pleasure.
Get The Gringo [2012]
Stylish and engaging, Get The Gringo is a gritty prison thriller heavily leaning into Mel Gibson’s charm and getting away with it.
Furnace [2007]
Furnace milked the shit out of its creepy prison setting to compensate for the underdeveloped characters and formulaic plot.
Lik Wong AKA Riki Oh: The Story of Ricky [1991]
So outrageously violent that it’s hilarious, Riki Oh: The Story of Ricky is the craziest martial arts prison movie you’ll ever see.
Papillon [1973]
Based on true events, Papillon is one of those great seventies movies that stood the test of time. It took
Un Prophète AKA A Prophet [2009]
Frighteningly realistic, A Prophet is a gripping French crime movie following a young delinquent as he starts his 6-year prison sentence.
Animal Factory [2000]
Featuring one hell of a cast led by Dafoe, Furlong, and motherfucking Danny Trejo, Animal Factory is a gritty and slow-burning prison thriller.
The Hurricane [1999]
Based on a tragic and yet inspiring true story, The Hurricane is a captivating epic driven by Denzel’s stellar performance.
Oldboy [2003]
Bleak, intense, and full of surprises, Oldboy is an exceedingly well-made and visually gripping neo-noir thriller.
Death Race [2008]
Death Race is a fun movie offering you a unique opportunity to watch heavily modified muscle cars with miniguns in action.