Escape from New York poster
7/10 1981 1h 39m Released

1997. New York City is a walled, maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.

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Top Cast

Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell
Snake Plissken
Lee Van Cleef
Lee Van Cleef
Police Commissioner Bob Hauk
Ernest Borgnine
Ernest Borgnine
Cabbie
Donald Pleasence
Donald Pleasence
President of the United States
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
The Duke of New York
Season Hubley
Season Hubley
Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
Harry Dean Stanton
Harry Dean Stanton
Harold 'Brain' Helman
Adrienne Barbeau
Adrienne Barbeau
Maggie
Tom Atkins
Tom Atkins
Rehme
Charles Cyphers
Charles Cyphers
Secretary of State
Frank Doubleday
Frank Doubleday
Romero
John Strobel
John Strobel
Cronenberg
George Buck Flower
George Buck Flower
Drunk
John Cothran
John Cothran
Gypsy #1
Nancy Stephens
Nancy Stephens
Stewardess
Steven Ford
Steven Ford
Secret Service #2

Reviews

Graviteer

"Too little of too much" would describe this movie well, which presented us a dystopian New York with development potential and characters whose background is shared, exposed with brief moments of characterization that made me feel like I was missing this movie's predecessor. It didn't exist, and so the end result was of an expanded universe of unknown circumstances - except for the brief introduction we got in the…

John Chard 9/10

A Snake, a Brain, a Cabbie, a Duke and the President Of The USA. It's 1997 and Manhattan Island is a walled off prison, during the flight of Air Force One the president's plane is taken over by a terrorist and the president ejects out in the safety pod. Sadly for him he lands right in the middle of Manhattan Island. When an armed unit lands inside the walls they are told that the president has been taken hostage…

Gimly 8/10

Nails the "post-apocalyptic except the world didn't end" vibe. _Final rating:★★★★ - Very strong appeal. A personal favourite._

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FAQ about Escape from New York

What is Escape from New York about?
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
When was Escape from New York released?
Escape from New York was released in 1981.
What genres does Escape from New York belong to?
Escape from New York is categorised as Action, Thriller, Science Fiction.
Who stars in Escape from New York?
The cast of Escape from New York includes Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes.