Bosco, streaming on Peacock, covers the story of Quawntay “Bosco” Adams, who was sentenced heavily during the U.S.’s war against drugs campaign. He would, however, use his skills to figure out an escape route, and with the help of an accomplice, he would make a daring prison break. Bosco would eventually be able to appeal his sentence and find freedom, and fans have rallied behind the film. Here are five more prison-inspired movies like Bosco that you should watch as well.
5 Movies Like Bosco
Midnight Express (1978)
Directed by Alan Parker, this film was a shocking and harrowing look at the story of Billy Hayes, an American college student who was caught smuggling drugs out of Turkey. Made an example of, he was thrown into a nightmarish prison with a sadistic warden to serve his four-year sentence. Brad Davis leads the cast with Randy Quaid and John Hurt lending a hand too, and the Oliver Stone-penned script is difficult to watch. Midnight Express was a new benchmark for this type of film, and just like Bosco, it was inspired by true events.
Animal Factory (2000)
Starring Willem Dafoe, Edward Furlong, and Danny Trejo, this underrated and little-known prison film was directed by Steve Buscemi, who also has a small role. Furlong stars as Ron Decker, a new inmate and rookie when it comes to the societal rules of the prison yard, having to do what he can to survive the hostile gang-run environment. Based on the book by Edward Bunker, published in 1977, this story is also inspired by real events. Bunker would find himself the youngest inmate at San Quentin prison, and the book tells his story. Bunker would also take a minor role in the film.
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
As far as true stories about prison breaks go, this particular entry ticks every box. The classic Don Siegal-directed Clint Eastwood thriller does exactly what it says on the tin, and explores one man’s determination to escape from an inescapable prison. Eastwood is perfect for the role, remaining stoic and resolute in his quest, and the viewer is along for the ride as we question how on earth the breakout can occur. Patrick McGoohan stars ironically as the prison warden, no stranger to inescapable islands himself after playing Number 6 in the iconic UK fantasy sci-fi show The Prisoner.
Papillon (1973)
This is another gritty and extraordinary depiction of prison life from director Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, and Victory Jory. McQueen and Hoffman are thrown together and form an unlikely alliance as the daring safe-cracker and meek-mannered forger, Henri and Louis. Henri is sent to the island of Guiana for life imprisonment after being sentenced for a murder he did not commit and is based on the real-life story of Henri Charriere. As the two plan an escape, we realize that the film is more about friendship, camaraderie, and trust, presenting us with characters we grow to love. The film would be remade in 2017 starring Rami Malik and Charlie Hunnam, but the original resonates more.
Hunger (2008)
Directed by Steve McQueen, this is a harrowing and unsettling account of the 1981 hunger strike that was led by Bobby Sands in the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. The emotionally charged film was controversial and shocking, with Michael Fassbender appearing emaciated during the filming, and McQueen’s long and un-cut scenes become hard to watch, including an incredible 17-minute and 10-second scene that sees Catholic priest Father Dominic Moran trying to dissuade Bobby Sands out of the hunger strike he and his fellow 75 IRA members plan to start.
Do you have any other recommendations for movies like Bosco? Let us know!
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