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MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
The Shawshank Redemption
Available in 4KUS ↗CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Frank Darabont. With Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton.
8.7/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates -- including an older prisoner named Red -- for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.
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8.7/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTImprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his a…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for The Shawshank Redemption.
MoviHero lists September 23, 1994 as the release date for The Shawshank Redemption. Frank Darabont is the listed director. The listed cast includes Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding, Bob Gunton as Warden Norton, William Sadler as Heywood. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateSeptember 23, 1994
GenresDrama · Crime
Runtime2h 22m
DirectorFrank Darabont
CastTim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, Morgan Freeman as Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding, Bob Gunton as Warden Norton, William Sadler as Heywood
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is The Shawshank Redemption right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
The Shawshank Redemption runs 2h 22m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 5/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 8/10, suggesting a stronger emotional experience. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with The Shawshank Redemption. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
But shorterÇatlı 22026 · 1h 58m
24 minutes shorter (1h 58m). Shared genre: drama, crime.
But less emotionally intenseUnification of Japan 772026 · Runtime unavailableEstimated emotional impact: 5/10 versus 8/10. Shared genre: drama, crime.
But less demandingFeral City2026 · 9mEstimated attention required: 4/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: crime.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 8.7/10 from 31,749 votes. Updated Nov 3, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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Checked Nov 9, 2026. Quality can depend on your plan and device. HD does not necessarily mean 1080p.
OPTION 2
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact8/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence7/10
Rewatchability7/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about The Shawshank Redemption
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Some birds aren't meant to be caged. The Shawshank Redemption is written and directed by Frank Darabont. It is an adaptation of the Stephen King…”
Viewer reaction
“This is much more predictable and Hollywood than a King novel.”
Viewer reaction
“There is a reason why this movie is at the top of any popular list your will find.”
More reactions (2)
Viewer reaction
“I will not say that the film is predictable, because it is not quite so, due to the fact that we only know Andy’s intentions…”
Viewer reaction
“First time seeing this in probably close to 20 years, maybe longer.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
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Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherEllis Boyd 'Red' ReddingEllis Boyd 'Red' Redding appears in The Shawshank Redemption (1994).Open character guide otherCaptain Byron T. HadleyCaptain Byron T. Hadley appears in The Shawshank Redemption (1994).Open character guide otherAndy DufresneAndy Dufresne appears in The Shawshank Redemption (1994).Open character guide otherWarden NortonWarden Norton appears in The Shawshank Redemption (1994).Open character guide otherHeywoodHeywood appears in The Shawshank Redemption (1994).Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
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