Top Ten Classic Must-See Prison Movies

Prison movies are interesting movies to us because we like to see what goes on inside the prison. Everyone has their preconceived notions about what might happen. Some of us think there is constant control and order, whereas others believe fighting goes on nonstop.

Prison movies give us insight into the minds of criminals, as we see what they are thinking while they are inside those four walls. We learn that some convicted criminals may be innocent, we find that some criminals may have more mental health issues, and we see that the conditions in prisons may make things worse. Interestingly, prison movies aren't always about the truth of what happens in prison, but the writer's view, or the writer's attempt at enticing you to watch the movie. What do you think really happens in prison?

Here are ten classic prison movies.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994). I doubt anyone could argue against The Shawshank Redemption is a classic prison movie. This movie is about a banker who supposedly murdered his wife. He ends up in a state prison in Maine. From the beginning, Tim Robbins, 'Andy' the banker, plots his escape. The side plot that goes on is about Morgan Freeman, called 'Red' in the movie. The subplot is about Red being redeemed for his crimes, and having learned his lesson. The movie is extremely well written, and shows two different character's attempts at dealing with life in prison.

2. Shutter Island (2010). Leonardo DiCapprio plays who we think is a US Marshall sent on a mission to investigate an escaped criminal at this prison for the mentally insane. Watch what unfolds as we find out who Leonardo's character really is. This is a very insightful movie about insanity and crime.

3. Escape From Alcatraz (1979). Clint Eastwood will never be forgotten for this role in this movie about the most popular prison of all time. Almost everyone has heard of Alcatraz, even though the prison is shut down and nonoperational at this point. The reason the prison was shut down is because someone escaped. Now, we just have movies about people trying to escape from Alcatraz. Even the title is catchy. This is about Clint Eastwood's character setting up a massive escape with some of the other inmates. Will they escape, and if so, will they survive?

4. Sitr Crazy (1980). Now, we have a prison movie that is funny. Who could make being behind bars funny? Leave it to Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. They somehow end up at a rodeo riding broncos at the direction of the warden.

5. The Life of David Gale (2003). David Gale, played by Kevin Spacey, is convicted of rape and murder and sentenced to execution. He agrees to tell his story to a journalist. She ends up believing he is innocent, and sets out to prove this. Will she be able to find evidence in time, before he is executed?

6. 12 Monkeys (1995). Try a futuristic prison movie, where Bruce Willis is a criminal in the future. In this future setting, people have to live underground because of a virus that contaminated the earth. Willis is given the option to go back in time, to find out what caused the virus so scientists can find a cure, with the understanding that he will be freed from the prison once he does this. Once back in time, he ends up being hospitalized at a mental institution, where he meets Brad Pitt's character. Will Bruce Willis' character be able to save the earth from the virus, or will the virus still successfully invade the planet?

7. Bad Boys (1983). This movie stars Sean Penn who's character is sent to a juvenile prison facility for manslaughter after accidentally killing another boy. The boy's brother gets convicted and sentenced to the same facility. You can imagine that things are going to get pretty ugly in there.

8. Papillon (1973). This movie stars Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman as two inmates who plot to escape from an island prison. Papillon was an actual real criminal.

9. Escape From New York (1981). In this movie, Kurt Russell stars as the convict. Manhattan Island in New York City has become a prison. The President of the United States has ended up on the island, and Kurt Russell will be released from prison if he can go in and bring back the President alive.

10. The Green Mile (1999). The top ten list of prison movies will conclude with a movie about a prisoner who actually does something good for people. The film stars Tom Hanks as an officer in the prison and Michael Clarke Duncan as a prisoner about to be executed in the electric chair. We learn that the prisoner is actually developmentally delayed, but he has special powers. He ends up helping many people before he is sent to be executed. The plot develops with an older Tom Hanks telling the story about his days at this prison.

What are your favorite prison movies?