The Green Mile

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The Green Mile

R

Released Dec 10, 1999

3h 9m

Drama

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

135 Reviews

94%

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250,000+ Ratings

Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) walked the mile with a variety of cons. He had never encountered someone like John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a massive black man convicted of brutally killing a pair of young sisters. Coffey had the size and strength to kill anyone, but not the demeanor. Beyond his simple, naive nature and a deathly fear of the dark, Coffey seemed to possess a prodigious, supernatural gift. Paul began to question whether Coffey was truly guilty of murdering the two girls.

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Critics Consensus

Though The Green Mile is long, critics say it's an absorbing, emotionally powerful experience.

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Kirk Honeycutt

The Hollywood Reporter

The simple fable can't stand such scrutiny. More pivotally, the weight given to each moment lends The Green Mile a ponderousness that works against the emotions the story seems to want to plug into.

Dec 10, 2019

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Much of the three-hour movie takes place in the prison, but the resonant characterization, expansive plotting, and judicious use of exterior locations and flashbacks turn the walls into windows.

Apr 8, 2011

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Thoughtful, intelligent movie for older teens.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

There are several scenes of tremendous power. But the same problems that plagued The Shawshank Redemption are in full force here.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 27, 2022

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Now, for the first time, Darabonts The Green Mile is available on 4K UHD with high-dynamic range, rejuvenating the drama, imbuing it with the visual energy to accompany its bittersweet narrative.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 24, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

At times, you notice The Green Mile tugging your heartstrings. But aside from a moment or two over the course of three hours, the viewer gives in, entrenched in the proceedings and deeply affected by the spell of these characters.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 23, 2022

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Oaklee D

An emotional film that packs a punch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

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Jake S.

Top 50 movie of all time. If you’ve never seen it, you need to watch it. You have to watch it. It’s amazing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

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Mate P

***SPOILERS*** The Green Mile is said to be one of the all time greats, but I thought it was just good. The story is beautiful and the characters are well-written. I expected this to be the tragic story of a person wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death. So I was expecting that part, but I never would've guessed this to have a supernarural element. And I wasn't a fan of that, because it made the whole thing a little childish. Frank Darabont is an incredible director, but I think he didn't manage to find the right tone. This film switches between a tragic story and a child's tale. The cinematography is incredible though, the lighting's gorgeous. The score is also very beautiful and the cast is great. I didn't know Sam Rockwell would be in it and he was awesome. The Green Mile is a great film, but I don't think it deserves the status it has.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Sam N

The Green Mile, directed by Frank Darabont and based on a Stephen King story, revisits prison life with a spiritual edge. Tom Hanks is steady, while Michael Clarke Duncan brings real heart. Set almost entirely on Death Row, its slow pace mirrors the routine and inevitability of execution. The soft lighting and measured camerawork add a quiet melancholy. At over three hours, it’s powerful but indulgent—moving at times, but it does test your patience.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Audience Member

One of the best movies ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

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Stephen C

3 hours and 9 minutes of success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Sex-Related Material, Language and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $136,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

Full Review

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Frank Darabont

Director

Tom Hanks

Paul Edgecomb

David Morse

Brutus 'Brutal' Howell

Michael Clarke Duncan

John Coffey

Bonnie Hunt

Janice Edgecomb

James Cromwell

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Synopsis

Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) walked the mile with a variety of cons. He had never encountered someone like John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a massive black man convicted of brutally killing a pair of young sisters. Coffey had the size and strength to kill anyone, but not the demeanor. Beyond his simple, naive nature and a deathly fear of the dark, Coffey seemed to possess a prodigious, supernatural gift. Paul began to question whether Coffey was truly guilty of murdering the two girls.

Director: Frank Darabont
Producer: Frank Darabont, David Valdes
Screenwriter: Stephen King, Frank Darabont
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions
Rating: R (Sex-Related Material|Language|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 10, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $136.8M
Runtime: 3h 9m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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