The 1994 prison drama The Shawshank Redemption marks its 30th anniversary today, and the movie is still considered the peak cinematic classic for many, as is proven by how highly it ranks on many of Ranker’s lists. Sharing unique fan survey data surrounding the ‘90s classic, Ranker counts more than 50 million monthly visitors, many of whom hold The Shawshank Redemption in very high regard even after all these years. And no doubt many a movie fan will agree with what the site’s lists have found.
Released on this day three decades ago, and directed by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption takes the #1 spot on “The Ultimate List of the Best Movies of All Time” with a huge 7.5M votes. The drama beats some tough competition for the top spot, with the likes of Saving Private Ryan, The Dark Knight, Forrest Gump, and The Silence of the Lambs making up the top five.
While The Shawshank Redemption was met with critical acclaim and seven Academy Award nominations, many might be surprised to learn that the movie was a major disappointment at the box office, earning just $16 million during its theatrical run. Thanks to home release (which at the time was VHS) and word-of-mouth, The Shawshank Redemption has since cemented itself as an unequivocal cinematic classic, something that’s reflected in it taking the #1 spot on “The 25 Most Important Movies Of All Time, Ranked By Real Movie Fans,” which also counts Schindler’s List, The Godfather, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark among its contenders.
The Shawshank Redemption Is Considered One of the Most Uplifting Movies Ever Made
Based on the 1982 Stephen King novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption,” The Shawshank Redemption stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and follows Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover. However, Andy says he is innocent and, while serving time, he forms a friendship with Red. Suffering the brutality of prison life, Andy slowly plans his escape.
Beautifully paced and boasting stellar performances, The Shawshank Redemption is a tale brimming with high, lows, twists, and turns, with it ranking #1 on the “Movies You Wish You Could Still Watch for the First Time” list alongside the likes of The Sixth Sense and Back to the Future.
Speaking of wonderful performances, the role of Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding remains the most iconic in Morgan Freeman’s glittering career, with the movie ranking #1 on the “Best Movies With Morgan Freeman,” “The Greatest Characters Played by Morgan Freeman, Ranked,” and “People Who Won Oscars For The Wrong Film,” with Freeman winning one of the coveted golden statues for Million Dollar Baby.
The hopeful message of The Shawshank Redemption, which is elegantly depicted in the final moments of the movie as Red is reunited with his friend on a picturesque beach in Zihuatanejo as Thomas Newman’s subtly powerful score swells, is a major reason why the movie has maintained its legacy for all these years. And this is reflected in further rankings, with The Shawshank Redemption ranking #1 on “The Most Uplifting Inspirational Movies Of All Time” list and “Movies That Actually Taught Us Something,” thanks to the iconic quote delivered by Andy, “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.”