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A prison setting is fertile ground for a thriller movie full of drama, suspense, tension, and, in some cases, shocking violence. The best prison thriller movies center on protagonists in a difficult situation as they attempt to survive harsh conditions, cruel treatment from guards, unpredictable fellow inmates, and maybe even find a way to escape their confinement.
Over the years, many excellent thriller movies have effectively used a prison setting, from true classics of cinema to more modern favorites. That’s why I’m rounding up some of my personal favorites in this subgenre. These are the best prison thriller movies to watch now, and don't just take my word for it; every single pick on this list has scored at least 90% or higher on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, proving their quality.
‘Cell 211’ (2009)
If you’ve ever had a bad first day at a new job, it was likely nothing compared to Juan Oliver’s nightmare start to his role as a prison guard in “Cell 211.”
In this Spanish thriller, Juan (Alberto Ammann) finds himself trapped in the middle of a prison riot and must pretend to be a criminal as the inmates take control of the facility. This includes winning the trust of the rioters' leader, Malamadre (Luis Tosar). But as the stand-off between the rioting prisoners and the outside authorities intensifies, Juan’s secret may be revealed.
“Cell 211’s” biggest strength is that it just keeps ratcheting up the suspense across its runtime. The initial setup has a great hook, and from the drop, you just know that Juan’s true identity can’t remain hidden forever. At some point, the violent criminals that surround him are bound to discover he’s not one of them. It’s a fantastic and compelling prison thriller.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
Watch "Cell 211" on Netflix now
‘Starred Up’ (2013)
The British prison-set thriller “Wasteman” lands in U.K. cinemas this week, but its U.S release date is currently unknown. That makes now a great time to watch “Starred Up,” a visceral exploration of being incarcerated in England. Based on screenwriter Jonathan Asser’s experience working as a therapist in a South West London prison, it doesn’t pull its punches, showing just how traumatic the day-to-day life behind bars can be for inmates.
The hard-hitting flick opens with Eric Love (Jack O’Connell) being transferred from a juvenile facility to a high-security adult prison. The prison also houses his estranged father, Neville (Ben Mendelsohn). As Eric adjusts to his new surroundings, he faces corruption from the authorities and fellow inmates with violent tendencies. “Starred Up” is a particularly strong showcase of O’Connell’s talents, and was the movie that really announced him as a star.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
Watch "Starred Up" on The Roku Channel now
‘Midnight Express’ (1978)
One of the most celebrated prison break movies in cinema history, “Midnight Express” was nominated for several Oscars, winning two, including Best Adapted Screenplay. It’s also based on a real-life memoir, which recounts the true story of Billy Hayes, an American student who was caught attempting to smuggle drugs from Istanbul back to the U.S.
Sentenced to an initial four years in a Turkish jail, when his term was increased to 30 years, Billy (played by Brad Davis in this movie) decides his only option was to break out. “Midnight Express” offers a riveting on-screen take on Billy’s harrowing experience. However, it has been criticized over the years for its negative portrayal of Turkish people and its attempts to cast Billy as a victim of circumstance. Aside from these blemishes, it’s an excellent thriller.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Watch "Midnight Express" on The Roku Channel now
‘Escape from Alcatraz’ (1979)
The fifth (and final) collaboration between director Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood, “Escape from Alcatraz,” might just be the pair's best effort, though “Dirty Harry” certainly gives it strong competition. Another prison-set movie based on a true story, you can probably guess the narrative basics from the film’s name alone. Eastwood is at his best in the role of Frank Lee Morris, and there’s a real cool factor in this movie, despite its criminal subject matter.
Frank Lee Morris (Eastwood) is a burglar transferred to the infamous Alcatraz Island prison, where he’s informed by the facilities warden (Patrick McGoohan) that escape is impossible. Rather than being deterred, Morris takes his warning as something of a personal challenge. So begins an audacious escape attempt from a prison literally surrounded by freezing waters.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Watch "Escape from Alcatraz" on Fubo now
‘The Great Escape’ (1963)
“The Great Escape” is the definition of iconic cinema. Just the mere mention of this 1963 classic, and you’ll probably start humming the earworm theme tune in your head. It deserves its spot in history as well. The incredible motorcycle chase in the third act often takes the spotlight, but there’s so much more to enjoy about this thrilling prison break adventure.
For starters, you’ve got the legendary Steven McQueen at the very peak of his powers, playing Captain Virgil Hilts, known as “The Cooler King” for his habit of getting thrown in solitary confinement. Set during World War II in a German prisoner of war camp under the watch of Colonel von Luger (Hannes Messemer), a group of Allied soldiers plots a daring escape that involves digging three elaborate underground tunnels to crawl to freedom. Apart from McQueen, the movie is absolutely loaded: James Garner, Sir Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, and Donald Pleasance round out the cast.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch "The Great Escape" on Fubo now
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