A 90s Hollywood classic once dubbed the “greatest movie of all time” is back in the spotlight after landing on streaming platform Peacock. The Shawshank Redemption, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, has made its return to screens nearly 30 years after its release — and fans are once again calling it a masterpiece. The prison drama, released in 1994, was originally a box office flop, earning just $16 million against a $25 million budget. But over the years, it’s become a cult favourite and now holds the top spot on IMDb’s Top 250 list, with a staggering 9.3 rating.
The same list includes The Godfather Part II, The Dark Knight, and 12 Angry Men, but Shawshank has claimed the crown. The film follows Andy Dufresne, a mild-mannered banker who is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Sentenced to life inside the brutal Shawshank State Penitentiary, Andy battles corruption, forms a deep friendship with fellow inmate Red, and secretly plots his escape.
Over the course of two decades, Andy is forced to navigate prison politics, endure cruel abuse, and help the warden launder money — all while quietly chiselling a hole in his cell wall with a rock hammer.
His perseverance pays off in a dramatic twist that still shocks first-time viewers.
Despite being nominated for seven Oscars, the film walked away empty-handed at the 1995 Academy Awards. But fans have spoken louder than the critics ever did.
Although it bombed on release, the film picked up momentum through word of mouth and regular TV repeats.
It became a sleeper hit, with critics later hailing it as one of the most rewatchable films ever made. Its top ranking on IMDb has remained virtually unchallenged for over two decades.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it scores 89% on the Tomatometer and a near-perfect 98% audience score. Viewer praise has been flooding in online since the film hit the streamin platform again.
One fan wrote: “One of the best movie I’ve ever seen. The movie is soooooooooooooo good. Definitely a must watch.”
Another added: “The Shawshank Redemption is one of those rare movies that just never loses its impact, no matter how many times you watch it.
“It’s not flashy or packed with action, but it hits on such a deep emotional level that you can’t help but be moved.”
A third declared: “Absolute masterpiece. Perfect in every way.”
And one viewer simply said: “I am watched it three times and ready to see it again. So many twists and turns and a surprising ending. Great acting by all!”
The film’s staying power is often credited to its powerful performances, especially Freeman’s iconic narration, which one fan said “adds so much soul to the story.”
Starring Clancy Brown, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Robbins and Freeman, The Shawshank Redemption has become a timeless tale of hope, justice, and survival.