‘The Green Mile’ on Netflix Rivals Stephen King’s ‘The Shawshank Redemption’

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Stephen King is a hugely popular author, especially among horror fans, and many of his books have become successful movies and TV shows. While he’s famous for classics like It, Carrie, and The Shining, King often explores other genres too. He’s written science fiction, like The Running Man, and suspenseful thrillers such as The Long Walk, which paints a dark picture of a controlling America. Beyond horror, several of his stories have been turned into critically acclaimed dramas.

Many film fans consider The Shawshank Redemption a timeless classic, a moving story about a man wrongly convicted and imprisoned for years. Starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, the drama received five Academy Award nominations. Frank Darabont directed the film and later adapted another Stephen King story into a critically acclaimed movie. Streaming on Netflix, The Green Mile, starring Tom Hanks, is another popular prison drama often praised as being just as compelling.

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ Director Frank Darabont Also Made ‘The Green Mile’


Warner Bros.

In addition to Tom Hanks, The Green Mile boasts a talented supporting cast including Sam Rockwell, James Cromwell, Bonnie Hunt, and Michael Clark Duncan. The film centers on prison guards who discover one of their inmates has supernatural abilities and might be innocent of the crimes he’s accused of. Director Frank Darabont successfully recreates the emotional impact of his film The Shawshank Redemption by focusing on compelling characters facing difficult situations throughout The Green Mile.

The biggest difference between the two prison dramas directed by Frank Darabont is the character of John Coffey, who has the power to heal. Unlike The Shawshank Redemption, which stayed grounded in reality, The Green Mile includes fantastical elements, as Coffey uses his gift to help others even though it hurts him. Michael Duncan’s portrayal of Coffey is particularly moving, bringing a kind and gentle presence to a character who is often misunderstood, making him instantly likable to viewers.

Like most stories set on death row, not everyone in The Green Mile finds redemption. The film shows how harsh prison guards could be to inmates. While characters like Paul Edgecomb are kind, the prison is also full of cruel people. Michael Rockwell plays ‘Wild Bill’ Wharton, a truly awful prisoner, and even some guards, such as Doug Hutchison’s Percy Wetmore, are capable of terrible behavior.

Both The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile were well-received by critics. The Shawshank Redemption earned an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while The Green Mile scored 78% and received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. If you enjoyed The Shawshank Redemption or are a fan of Stephen King, The Green Mile (released in 1999) is a compelling and dramatic story you shouldn’t miss – and it’s currently available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-12-10 20:05