One of the best Stephen King movies of the last few decades is available to stream right now – but time is running out fast. Everybody has their favorite Stephen King movie, from the eternally moving Stand by Me to horror classics like The Shining and Pet Sematary. Famous as his horror output might be, there are plenty of Stephen King books that are straight dramas with no genre elements.
The most beloved example would be the Frank Darabont-directed The Shawshank Redemption. This prison drama was a box office dud upon release, but soon came to be seen as one of the best movies of all time. Darabont himself is a big fan of King, with three out of the four movies he helmed being adaptations of the author’s work.
These include his final film, The Mist (2007), and The Green Mile. The latter Stephen King/Frank Darabont collaboration is a period drama that, like The Shawshank Redemption, takes place in a prison. Tom Hanks plays the lead role of a death row correctional officer, but the movie truly belongs to the late, great Michael Clarke Duncan as mysterious prisoner, John Coffey.
The Green Mile Is A Great Stephen King Movie
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Darabont is a filmmaker who always understood that King’s greatest gift was his ability to pen living, breathing characters. He makes readers fall in love with his heroes – and really HATE his villains – which then makes the horror hit harder. With The Green Mile, Darabont takes his time to let audiences get to know the central gang of death row officers and the doomed prisoners they interact with.
Darabont letting the movie breathe also extends to its generous three-hour runtime, which still manages to fly by. The Green Mile’s cast is absolutely stacked too, from Hanks to David Morse, Sam Rockwell, Patricia Clarkson, James Cromwell, and many more. It’s likely the entire cast wanted in on a project that was pitched as the next Shawshank Redemption, but comparing the two does the 1999 film a disservice.
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The Green Mile might have surface similarities to Darabont and King’s previous prison-set outing, but they’re quite different. The fantasy element of Coffey having divine powers makes it lean closer to King’s genre work, though it’s a deft mixture of tones. It’s funny, heartbreaking, uplifting and devastating all at once, and remains an underrated King adaptation.
The Green Mile Remains Tragic No Matter How Much You Rewatch It
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The Shawshank Redemption has its harrowing moments, but it still ends on a life-affirming note. The Green Mile, however, is a darker ride. It is, after all, a story about people being executed and the morality that surrounds this deed. There is a gut-churning inevitability to the finale, which is all the more difficult due to viewers falling in love with the kind-hearted giant that is Coffey.
The Green Mile was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Michael Clarke Duncan.
The Green Mile is definitely a film that rewards multiple viewings, but its message still hits hard. That could be why it’s not held in quite the same esteem as Darabont’s Shawshank Redemption, since the ending feels much heavier. Still, for those who can withstand weapons-grade weepies, The Green Mile is so worth the investment of time.
The Green Mile’s Streaming Exit Confirmed
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Despite being over 25 years old and three hours plus in length, The Green Mile has been a big success since its debut on Tubi. Fans of the movie will need to hurry if they want to watch it for free (with ads, of course) on the streaming platform, as the 1999 fantasy drama is set to exit Tubi by the end of October.
For those who don’t want to prioritize horror flicks this Halloween, The Green Mile is a solid choice. It’s a beautifully crafted and acted piece of work, and is recommended for those in need of an uplifting cry. Michael Clarke Duncan’s incredible performance alone makes it worth seeing, and it’s a shame that such a gifted actor never got as excellent a showcase for his talents in the aftermath.
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Followed
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Fantasy
Drama
Crime
8/10
138.6/10
Release Date
December 10, 1999
Runtime
189 minutes
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Paul Edgecomb
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Brutus ‘Brutal’ Howell
The Green Mile is a supernatural drama directed by Frank Darabont, based on Stephen King’s novel. Set in a Southern death row prison, it follows head guard Paul Edgecomb as he discovers the miraculous healing abilities of condemned inmate John Coffey, leading to profound moral and ethical dilemmas.Expand
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Followed
Birthdate
September 21, 1947
Birthplace
Portland, Maine, USA
Height
6 feet 4 inches
Notable Projects
The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, It, The Stand, Misery, The Dark Tower, Mr. Mercedes, Carrie
Professions
Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Director, Actor
Discover the latest news and filmography for Stephen King, known for The Dark Tower series, The Stand, IT, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Misery, the Bill Hodges trilogy, and more.Expand
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Your Rating
The Green Mile is a supernatural drama directed by Frank Darabont, based on Stephen King’s novel. Set in a Southern death row prison, it follows head guard Paul Edgecomb as he discovers the miraculous healing abilities of condemned inmate John Coffey, leading to profound moral and ethical dilemmas.
Discover the latest news and filmography for Stephen King, known for The Dark Tower series, The Stand, IT, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Misery, the Bill Hodges trilogy, and more.
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