The variety you get in the Netflix content library is unmatched. From romantic classics to robot movies and drama to prison movies, you can find tons of amazing content on Netflix to enjoy with your loved ones online.
You can especially find a massive range of jailbreak movies and prison documentaries on Netflix if you’re a fan of prison pop culture.
To cut your research time, we have decided to list the top 9 best prison movies you can stream on Netflix to enjoy a real breakout performance.
9 Best Prison Movies on Netflix to Watch Right Now
1 - Blood and Bone
Story: A former Marine is out of jail and fighting in underground boxing matches to make some quick cash. When he's promised a shot at the heavyweight title if he can beat the current champ, he finds himself caught up in more than just a fight.
Michael Jai White is an excellent actor and always brings his A-game to whatever project he's a part of. This movie is no different. He carries the film and makes you believe his character's journey.
Cast: Michael Jai White, Eamonn Walker, Julian Sands, Nona Gaye
Director: Ben Ramsey
Writer: Michael Andrews
Runtime: 98 minutes
Rating: R
2 - The Green Mile
Story: The Green Mile is set on death row in a Louisiana prison in the 1930s. Tom Hanks plays Paul Edgecomb, a guard who befriends one of the inmates, John Coffey.
Coffey has been sentenced to death for the rape and murder of two young girls, but Edgecomb believes he is innocent. The story follows their friendship as well as the events leading up to Coffey's execution.
Cast: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Director: Frank Darabont
Writer: Stephen King
Runtime: 189 minutes
Rating: PG-13
3 - A Prayer Before Dawn
Story: Based on a true story, A Prayer Before Dawn follows the life of Billy Moore, an English boxer who is sent to prison in Thailand. While in prison, Moore becomes involved in the Muay Thai boxing scene as a way to make money and survive.
He eventually gets a chance to compete in a major tournament that could get him out of prison.
Cast: Vithaya Pansringarm, Panya Yimmumphai, Joe Cole
Director: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire
Writers: Jonathan Hirschbein (screenplay), Billy Moore (book)
Runtime: 114 minutes
Rating: R
4 - 13th
Story: This documentary from Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, with a particular focus on the mass incarceration of black Americans.
The film features interviews with a variety of experts on the subject, as well as footage of Duvernay's own family members talking about their experiences with the criminal justice system.
Cast: Dolores Canales, Melina Abdullah, Cory Booker, Michelle Alexander
Director: Ava DuVernay
Writer: Spencer Averick
Runtime: 100 minutes
Rating: TV-MA
5 - The Stanford Prison Experiment
Story: The Stanford Prison Experiment is a 2015 American docudrama thriller film directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, based on the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment of the same name. The movie tells the story of Dr. Philip Zimbardo's groundbreaking experiment that tests what happens when good people are put into an evil place.
The results are shocking as personal identities disappear and a new form of "prisoner" mentality takes over. The Stanford Prison Experiment is a gripping look at the dark side of human nature that will leave you questioning your own moral compass.
Cast: Billy Crudup, Michael Angarano, Tye Sheridan, Keir Gilchrist, Olivia Thirlby, and Ezra Miller
Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez
Writer: Tim Talbott
Runtime: 122 minutes
Rating: R
6 - A Twelve Year Night
Story: In 1973, Uruguay's military dictatorship imprisoned and tortured six civilians in a secret location called the Automotores Orletti.
For twelve years, these men were subjected to physical and mental torture while being held in complete isolation from the outside world.
Cast: Antonio de la Torre, Chino Darín, Alfonso Herrera, Soledad Villamil, César Troncoso, and Jorge Bolani
Director: Álvaro Brechner
Writer: Álvaro Brechner
Runtime: 122 minutes
Rating: R
7 - The Next Three Days
Story: A man's life is turned upside down when his wife is convicted of a murder she didn't commit. Desperate to clear her name, he hatches a daring plan to break her out of prison.
The film has an all-star cast and a captivating story, making it a must-watch for all prison break movie lovers.
Cast: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Olivia Wilde, Brian Dennehy, and Jason Beghe
Director: Paul Haggis
Writer: Paul Haggis
Runtime: 133 minutes
Rating: PG-13
8 - Get The Gringo
Story: A career criminal (Gibson) finds himself stranded in Mexico after a heist gone wrong. Unable to cross the border, he ends up in a notorious Mexican prison where he befriends a young boy who helps him survive.
The story has some of Gibson's best work in years, the twists and turns will keep you guessing, and the ending is both heartwarming and tragic.
Cast: Mel Gibson, Kevin Hernandez, Daniel Giménez Cacho, and Peter Gerety
Director: Adrian Grunberg
Writers: Mel Gibson and Stacy Perskie
Runtime: 96 minutes
Rating: R
9 - Shot Caller
Story: A newly released prison gangster (Bell) is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California.
As he tries to hold onto his sanity, he must also protect his estranged family. Shot Caller is an intense and harrowing look at the criminal underworld that will leave you breathless.
Cast: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jon Bernthal, Lake Bell, and Emory Cohen
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Writer: Ric Roman Waugh
Runtime: 121 minutes
Rating: R
Not a big fan of prison movies? You can try Cry Macho. Read more about it over here: Is Cry Macho on Netflix? Where Can I Watch Cry Macho?
How to Download the Best Prison Movies on Netflix Offline?
When it comes to offline streaming, there are two ways you can go about it. First, you can download the best prison movies using Netflix’s official download app. Second, you can use an offline downloader with which you can download your all-time favorite jailbreak movies and prison documentaries on Netflix without restrictions.
The latter seems likely to be more promising, right?
Now, the real question…
Is there any specific downloader you can trust for all your downloading needs? Well, we’d highly recommend KeepStreams for Netflix.
There are several reasons why KeepStreams for Netflix is currently the best Netflix downloader.
- It lets you batch download shows and movies in up to 1080p theater-like resolution in MP4 or MKV format
- You get to choose between numerous audio tracks and multilanguage subtitles
- You can enjoy ad-free offline streaming; anytime, anywhere you want
- Video manager will help you manage metadata like a pro
- You get access to all regional Netflix websites, including JP, US, UK, etc
Here’s how you can download movies using the KeepStreams for Netflix Downloader…
- Download and install KeepStreams for Netflix Downloader
- Launch the software
- Choose Netflix from VIP services
- Pick and play your favorite prison movies on Netflix
- Click the pop-up Download Now to start downloading!
Final Words
We’re down to our conclusion now. We shared some of the best prison movies and jailbreak documentaries in this article. You can also easily download these movies using an offline downloader called KeepStreams for Netflix.