The Shawshank Redemption

1994, Drama, 2h 22m

82 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

The Shawshank Redemption is an uplifting, deeply satisfying prison drama with sensitive direction and fine performances. Read critic reviews

You might also like

The Green Mile
Hero
The General Died at Dawn
Thelma & Louise
The Green Goddess

Where to watch

Rent/buy from $3.99 Rent/buy from $3.99 Subscription

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

The Shawshank Redemption Photos

View All Photos (23)

Movie Info

Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to a tough prison. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), experiences brutality of prison life, adapts, helps the warden, etc., all in 19 years.
  • Rating:
    R (Prison Violence|Language)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Frank Darabont
  • Producer:
    Niki Marvin
  • Writer:
    Frank Darabont
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $27.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Columbia Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    SDDS, Dolby A, Stereo, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Tim Robbins
Andy Dufresne
Morgan Freeman
Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding
Bob Gunton
Warden Samuel Norton
William Sadler
Heywood
Clancy Brown
Captain Byron Hadley
Gil Bellows
Tommy Williams
James Whitmore
Brooks Hatlen
Mark Rolston
Bogs Diamond
Jeffrey DeMunn
District Attorney
Frank Darabont
Director
Frank Darabont
Screenwriter
Liz Glotzer
Executive Producer
David V. Lester
Executive Producer
Niki Marvin
Producer
Thomas Newman
Original Music
Roger Deakins
Cinematography
Richard Francis-Bruce
Film Editing
Deborah Aquila
Casting
Terence Marsh
Production Design
Peter Smith
Art Director
Michael Seirton
Set Decoration
Elizabeth McBride
Costume Design
Kokayi Ampah
Production Supervisor
David V. Lester
Unit Production Manager
Sue Bea Montgomery
Production Supervisor
John R. Woodward
First Assistant Director
Bruce Bell
Sound Editor
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Shawshank Redemption

All Critics (82) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (7)
Full Review… Kevin Maher Times (UK) Full Review… Zaki Hasan San Francisco Chronicle Full Review… Harper Barnes St. Louis Post-Dispatch Full Review… Duane Byrge Hollywood Reporter Full Review… Dave Kehr New York Daily News Full Review… Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune Full Review… Michael Clark Epoch Times Full Review… Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Full Review… Allison Rose FlickDirect Full Review… Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness Full Review… Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast Full Review… Sarah Brinks Battleship Pretension
View All Critic Reviews (82)

Audience Reviews for The Shawshank Redemption

  • Oct 10, 2019
    Based on a novella by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption is a harrowing tale about the triumph of the human spirit. The story follows a banker named Andy Duphrane who's wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and her lover, and is sent to the Shawshank maximum security prison where he befriends another inmate named Red. Starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, John Sandler, and Clancy Brown, the film has an impressive cast that gives good performances. Additionally, screenwriter/director Frank Darabont does an excellent job at developing the characters and relationships; making the audience care about them and their plight. The set and costume designs too, are especially well-done; capturing the time-period and giving the prison a real, lived-in feel. Also, the score by Thomas Newman is emotionally evocative and has a soulfulness to it that heightens the material. The Shawshank Redemption is a remarkably compelling film with a powerful message.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • May 01, 2016
    One of the most satisfying films of all time, which holds its 'classic film' vibe strongly from start to finish.
    Sean T Super Reviewer
  • Mar 04, 2016
    Beautiful story filled with emotion and is a true testament to the human spirit
    Kameron W Super Reviewer
  • Mar 03, 2016
    The Shawshank Redemption has great performances, extremely well written script and story all leading to a deeply emotional climax! One of the best dramas of all time!
    Mr N Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Movie & TV guides