8 Best Prison Movies You Can Watch On Netflix Now

Orange Is The New Black (2013-2019)

Watch the trailer here.

Orange Is The New Black is an award-winning series. It’s often hailed as one of the best shows on Netflix, especially among many similar-themed prison movies on Netflix. The show is based on Piper Kerman’s memoir. It follows Piper Chapman, a woman sentenced to 15 months in a women’s federal prison. She was involved in a drug-smuggling operation ten years prior. The series looks closer at the lives of various inmates at Litchfield Penitentiary. It addresses issues like corruption, abuse of power, racism, and life’s challenges behind bars.

By watching the series, you’ll see how becoming an inmate changed her and get a glimpse of how difficult life is, even in a low-security female prison camp. Moreover, later in the series, you’ll better understand how the U.S. prison-industrial complex works. With its blend of humor, drama, and social commentary, the show offers a nuanced portrayal of prison life.

The Platform (2019)

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“The Platform” is a Spanish dystopian thriller set in a vertical prison where inmates are housed in cells stacked one on the other. It’s one of the jail movies on Netflix that takes on a twist in the portrayal of prison life. A platform laden with food descends through the levels, stopping on each floor for a fixed amount of time. Inmates on the upper levels eat well, while those below face starvation. This film provides a stark commentary on social class, cooperation, and human nature. It has a dark and thought-provoking story.

In this future, the well-behaved live on the highest levels. The unruly live on the lowest, where they get almost no resources. “The Platform” shows what the United States’ prison-industrial complex could be like in the next few decades. It’s a must-watch for genre fans.

Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons (2016-Present)

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This docuseries is hosted by investigative journalist Raphael Rowe, who was wrongly imprisoned for twelve years. It takes viewers inside some of the harshest prisons in the world. Each episode showcases a different jail in a different country and explores inmates’ conditions, challenges, and daily lives.

By watching this, you’ll see how difficult it is to be an inmate in nearly all the world’s most notorious prisons. You’ll also hear from both the correctional officers and inmates. They offer a unique view of the varied penal systems and the harsh realities faced by prisoners worldwide.

Wentworth (2013-2021)

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Wentworth is an Australian TV drama series set in a women’s prison. The show follows Bea Smith. She enters Wentworth Correctional Centre for attempted murder. It’s her journey to rise to the top of the prison hierarchy. Like all new inmates, Bea has to adapt to her new life in prison. You’ll see the challenges she faces, from the terrible facilities to the complex prison politics.

The series explores power, survival, and resilience among female inmates. It offers intense drama, complex characters, and gripping stories. Wentworth is a modern reimagining of the iconic 1980s series “Prisoner.”

Time: The Kalief Browder Story (2017)

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The Kalief Browder Story is another documentary about a man who had to spend prison time for a crime he did not commit. This powerful documentary series tells the tragic experience of Kalief Browder, a young man from the Bronx who ended up for three years in Rikers Island jail, even though he was not convicted of a crime.

Accused of stealing a backpack, Kalief endured horrific conditions and solitary confinement. Like Nick Yarris, Kalief Browder eventually got acquitted due to the advent of new evidence that proved his innocence. Unfortunately, shortly after his release, Browder took his own life. This very jarring documentary sheds light on how incarceration harms mental health. It also shows the flaws in the American justice system and the broader impact of Kalief’s case on society. It’s both a heartbreaking and eye-opening narrative about justice and reform.

First And Last (2018)

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“First and Last” is a compelling documentary set in Georgia’s Gwinnett County Jail. It delves into the emotions of inmates on their first and last days in jail. It offers an intimate look at the people behind the crime, highlighting their personal stories, struggles, and hopes.

Most prison documentaries are not like this one. It has a unique edge. It shows life from when inmates enter the prison’s gates until they are set free. The raw portrayal is unfiltered, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the human side of incarceration. Anyone interested in prison life has to watch this amazing series.

Doing Hard Time (2014)

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“Doing Hard Time” presents the gripping tale of Michael Mitchell. He is a bereaved father. His seven-year-old son was tragically killed in a gang-related shootout. Michael is frustrated with the justice system’s shortcomings. He decides to take matters into his own hands by getting himself incarcerated alongside his son’s murderers.

Like other prison movies on Netflix, this film explores vengeance, justice, and redemption. Michael navigates the prison’s dangerous world, seeking retribution and closure.

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment (2020)

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“Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” is a documentary that examines the firsthand experiences of inmates in an experimental U.S. jail rehab program. The initiative seeks to lower recidivism rates by providing therapy and life skills training.

The film uses intimate interviews and unfiltered footage. It shows inmates’ challenges and the program’s impact on their lives. It also shows the broader implications of criminal justice reform. It offers a profound exploration of the prison system’s potential for transformation and hope.