Movies like The Shawshank Redemption

A feature-film shortlist from the cached Film Atlas engine. The interactive map may include more titles or newer results. These are similarity matches, not a guarantee of age suitability.

1. 

   01

   The Green Mile

   Same director

   1999 · 189 min · Crime · Drama · Fantasy

   Read synopsis

   A supernatural tale set on death row in a Southern prison, where gentle giant John Coffey possesses the mysterious power to heal people's ailments. When the cell block's head guard, Paul Edgecomb, recognizes Coffey's miraculous gift, he tries desperately to help stave off the condemned man's execution.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • the same director
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap

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2. 

   02

   Casino

   Similar atmosphere

   1995 · 179 min · Crime · Drama

   Read synopsis

   In Las Vegas, two best friends--a casino executive and a Mafia enforcer--compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.

   Why it connects

   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era
   • similar audience response

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3. 

   03

   Sleepers

   Strong story similarity

   1996 · 147 min · Crime · Drama · Thriller

   Read synopsis

   Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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4. 

   04

   Brubaker

   Shared cast

   1980 · 131 min · Crime · Drama

   Read synopsis

   The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a principal cast member

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5. 

   05

   Murder in the First

   Strong story similarity

   1995 · 122 min · Crime · Drama

   Read synopsis

   A young, inexperienced public defender is assigned to defend an inmate accused of committing murder while behind bars.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • shared themes: 1940s and prison

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6. 

   06

   American History X

   Strong story similarity

   1998 · 119 min · Drama

   Read synopsis

   Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • shared themes: interracial friendship and prison
   • substantial genre overlap

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7. 

   07

   South Central

   Similar atmosphere

   1992 · 99 min · Crime · Drama

   Read synopsis

   During a 10-year sentence for murdering the leader of a rival South Central Los Angeles gang, Bobby Johnson finds religion and rehabilitation with the help of Muslim inmate Ali. Upon his release, Bobby returns home to find that his young son, Jimmie, has joined the Deuces, his old crew. Tensions rise as Bobby struggles to convince Jimmie to leave the gang that was his only family during the painful years his absent father spent behind bars.

   Why it connects

   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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8. 

   08

   Dead Man Walking

   Strong story similarity

   1995 · 122 min · Drama

   Read synopsis

   A death row inmate turns for spiritual guidance to a local nun in the days leading up to his scheduled execution for the murders of a young couple.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • shared themes: prison and prison cell
   • substantial genre overlap

   Explore movies like Dead Man Walking
9. 

   09

   Mississippi Burning

   Strong story similarity

   1988 · 128 min · Crime · Drama · Mystery · Thriller

   Read synopsis

   Two FBI agents investigating the murder of civil rights workers during the 60s seek to breach the conspiracy of silence in a small Southern town where segregation divides black and white. The younger agent trained in FBI school runs up against the small town ways of his partner, a former sheriff.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • substantial genre overlap

   Explore movies like Mississippi Burning
10. 

    10

    Animal Factory

    Strong story similarity

    2000 · 94 min · Crime · Drama

    Read synopsis

    Suburbanite Ron is spoiled, young and not overly worried about the marijuana charges leveled against him. But, after being made out to be a drug dealer, he faces a five-year jail sentence in San Quentin State Prison. Physically frail and unaccustomed to his rough surroundings, Ron is primed to fall victim to sexual predators and bullying guards – that is, until he's befriended by Earl, a veteran inmate who finds meaning in protecting the vulnerable new kid.

    Why it connects

    • strong story and style similarity
    • strong genre and movie-style overlap

    Explore movies like Animal Factory