The 50+ Best Movies About Women In Prison
- 1Claire Danes, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Pullman
An emotionally engaging 1999 drama starring Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale as two friends whose trip to Thailand goes terribly wrong when they're accused of drug smuggling. The grim reality of their prison ordeal serves as a cautionary tale and an intense, gritty addition to the WIP genre.
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- 2
Freeway
Kiefer Sutherland, Reese Witherspoon, Brooke ShieldsReese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland star in this twisted crime thriller. Witherspoon plays an illiterate runaway teen who ends up in jail for shooting a psychopathic child predator posing as a cop (Sutherland). Grim but oddly compelling humor permeates this 1996 classic.
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- 3Linda Blair, John Vernon, Sybil Danning
Known for its international cult following since its 1983 release, this popular WIP movie stars Linda Blair as a naïve girl thrown into the corrupt, violent world of a women's prison. Add cult favorite Sybil Danning as a fellow inmate, and you have an explosive mix of sexploitation and revenge.
- 4Janine Lindemulder, Ron Jeremy, Erik Estrada
A WIP flick that follows an innocent young woman framed for a crime she did not commit and ends up in a prison run by a sadistic warden. However, her sister is on the outside, teaming up with a martial arts expert to rescue her. Over-the-top performances and campy action sequences make this 1989 movie an entertaining watch.
- 5Pam Grier, Sid Haig, Christiane Schmidtmer
This iconic 1971 WIP movie begins our list, serving as a blueprint for the genre. Pam Grier leads an ensemble cast of women trying to survive in a brutal prison in the Filipino jungle. The film's seething atmosphere sets it apart from others, with ample doses of violence, exploitation, and girl power.
- 6Linda Blair, Sylvia Kristel, Herb Andress
At the height of the Cold War, Linda Blair stars as an American athlete framed for drug possession while visiting East Germany in this 1985 WIP movie. She must navigate her treacherous prison environment and prove her innocence to regain her freedom. Blending suspense, corruption, and power struggles, Red Heat offers a unique Soviet Union-era perspective.
- 7Pam Grier, Margaret Markov, Sid Haig
A 1972 exploitation film starring Pam Grier and Margaret Markov as two inmates who escape from a Filipino prison while chained together. The tension between the racially diverse women adds depth to their journey as they fight to evade the law.
- 8Pam Grier, Sid Haig, Anitra Ford
A classic from the golden era of WIP films, The Big Bird Cage stars Pam Grier and Anitra Ford as two female prisoners plotting to escape from a nightmarish sugar plantation prison. The movie boasts thrilling action, dark humor, and lavish exploitation elements, making it indispensable for fans of the genre.
- 9Howard Vernon
Controversial director Jess Franco helms this grim, gritty 1973 flick in which female inmates endure sadistic torture and degradation. Argentinian actress Maria Schell's portrayal of a cruel warden makes the film a must-watch for fans of '70s exploitation cinema.
- 10Lauren Graham, Rhonda Shear, Mary Woronov
- 11
Sweet Sugar
Phyllis Davis, Timothy Brown, Jim HoughtonA potent 1972 blend of action, seduction, and vengeance set within a deadly Caribbean sugar plantation, this WIP film is known for its shocking twists and turns.
- 12Barbara Steele, Desireé Cousteau, Gary Goetzman
This 1974 WIP film features memorable performances from its bold female cast as they plot to overthrow the oppressive authorities in their prison. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this fast-paced flick expertly blends action, satire, and seduction.
- 13Meiko Kaji, Isao Natsuyagi, Akemi Negishi
A 1972 Japanese WIP flick praised for its stunning visuals and intense, stylized violence. Meiko Kaji stars as Nami Matsushima, who seeks revenge against her cruel, corrupt captors after a harrowing prison escape.
- 14
Vendetta
Rosie Flores, Sandy Martin, Kin ShrinerThis 1986 film stands out with its gritty storyline and intense action, following Laurie Collins (Karen Chase) exacting brutal revenge after her sister falls victim to violence at the hands of vicious inmates. Packed with both vengeance and ferocity, Vendetta's unforgettable heroines embody the WIP temper.
- 15Anne Heche, Ione Skye, Jon Polito
Released in 1956, this classic B-movie tells the story of Anne Carson (Phyllis Thaxter), an innocent woman framed for a crime she didn't commit. Teaming up with fellow convicts, she plans an elaborate escape from the notorious Girls in Prison world.
- 16
Women in Chains
Ida Lupino, Jessica Walter, Lois NettletonThis 1972 TV movie focuses on the injustices and abuse within a women's prison. It was a movie of the week on ABC that focuses on corruption themes and serves as a cautionary tale.
- 17Tommy Lee Jones, Ashley Judd, Bruce Greenwood
This 1999 suspenseful thriller stars Ashley Judd as a woman wrongly convicted of her husband's murder. Upon her release, she discovers he's still alive—and sets out on a dangerous quest for justice. Solid performances and high-stakes tension make this one an entertaining addition to the WIP genre.
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- 18Sharon Stone, Rob Morrow, Randy Quaid
Sharon Stone gives a gripping performance in this provocative 1996 movie about a woman on death row pleading for clemency. Examining the implications of capital punishment and the vagaries of the legal system, Last Dance delivers an impactful message.
- 19Pam Grier, Roberta Collins, Paquito Diaz
The 1971 foray into the genre teams up Pam Grier with director Gerry De Leon, resulting in an engrossing tale of revenge, backstabbing, and treachery. Grier plays a corrupt guard who pushes inmates to their breaking point, keeping true to the gritty and sordid spirit of WIP movies.
- 20
Girls in Prison
Anne Heche, Ione Skye, Jon PolitoThis campy 1994 TV movie embraces its WIP roots as it follows a young woman unjustly locked up in an all-female correctional institution.
- 21Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea
Although not your typical WIP film, this political thriller set in a dystopian future does feature a memorable portrayal of imprisonment, interrogation, and resilience. Natalie Portman delivers a captivating performance as the iconic Evey Hammond, breaking free of societal and self-constructed chains.
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- 22Anna Madeley, Zoe Tapper, Anne Reid
Based on Sarah Waters' novel, this 2008 Victorian-era drama tells the tale of a spiritualist medium who forms a strong bond with a broken-hearted young woman visiting her in prison. Their captivating story is enveloped in secrets, romance, and bleakness that deftly avoid any cliches found in the WIP genre.
- 23Wendy O. Williams, Sybil Danning, Sherri Stoner
Released in 1986, this punk-infused WIP film takes a slightly more comedic approach than its predecessors. Atrociously over-the-top characters and a rebellious spirit make Reform School Girls an essential, campy cult classic.
- 24Barbara Stanwyck, Lillian Roth, Preston Foster
A 1933 offering from the early era of WIP films, Barbara Stanwyck stars as a gun moll turned inmate. The film provides a classic celluloid portrayal of crime, prison hierarchies, and romance behind bars.
- 25Glenn Close, Pauline Collins, Cate Blanchett
This 1997 World War II drama follows a group of women prisoners banding together to form a vocal orchestra to lift spirits in their Japanese internment camp. Starring Glenn Close, Frances McDormand, and Julianna Margulies, Paradise Road is a powerful testament to hope and resilience under extreme adversity.
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- 26Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross
Although not a traditional WIP film, The Reader features an Academy Award-winning performance by Kate Winslet as a former Nazi SS officer imprisoned for war crimes. The powerful story provides a sobering look at the weighty consequences of complicity, all while examining the complexities of love and forgiveness.
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- 27Alison Lohman, Robin Wright, Michelle Pfeiffer
A haunting adaptation of Janet Fitch's novel, Michelle Pfeiffer plays a femme fatale convicted of a murder that is navigated by her daughter through heartbreaks with the foster care system in this 2002 movie.
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- 28Laura Gemser, Gabriele Tinti, Lorraine De Selle
Drenched in sadistic brutality, this controversial 1982 Italian film from cult director Bruno Mattei features Laura Gemser as a journalist infiltrating a corrupt Brazilian prison in search of justice. This is not for the faint of heart but certainly leaves an impression.
- 29
The Concrete Jungle
Jill St. John, Peter Brown, Tracey E. BregmanA 1982 addition to the WIP genre, this film examines the power struggle between inmates and authorities within a brutal women's prison. Packed with tense action, the movie explores the collateral damage that occurs when corruption breeds violence behind bars.
- 30
Terminal Island
Tom Selleck, Marta Kristen, Phyllis DavisThis 1973 dystopian movie sends inmates to a deserted island, where they must create their own society. The volatile mix of violence, paranoia, and despair that unfolds explores human nature's darker side, making it a fascinating entry in the WIP genre.
