The Green Mile

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The Green Mile

R

1999

3h 9m

Drama

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

134 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

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

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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

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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

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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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Tyler S

I don't even think I can put into words how much I enjoyed this. It had it all. Pacing was wonderful, the acting was fantastic, and it was emotionally moving. Despite the long runtime, it really felt like I was on my couch for under 2.5 hours. I was just so attentive and didn't want to miss anything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/25

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Brian D

91%. 11/7/25. Awesome film. Glad I finally watched it. Moved really well for a 3-hour film. Even the initial mouse seen seems strange and dragging out but you end up seeing why it got the time it did. A very moving film. Initially you just see Coffey holding the dead girls and he's saying he tried to stop it, and then you slowly see them execute the other men and learn more about Coffey and his superhuman abilities. Like how Hanks' character notices quickly he isn't a violent man. Fun to see their relationship grow with him curing Hanks and the warden's wife. Love how emotional the guard are at the end. Really cool movie. Felt like a mix between Shawshank and Saving private ryan with the old man recalling the past. 5/5 rewatch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/25

Full Review

Lily J.

bawled like a BABY during the ending. amazing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/25

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John P.

A really great film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/25

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Mark B.

Great movie and very interesting story. Tom Hanks was great!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/26/25

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David F

An okay prison drama but it is too long.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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

Warden Hal Moores

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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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