Escape from New York (1981)
Kernel Score: 79% · 3,447 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Science Fiction, Action
Released: 1981-05-23
Runtime: 99 minutes
Is Escape from New York worth watching?
Worth watching. A war hero is sent into a Manhattan prison to rescue the President. Kurt Russell makes Snake Plissken a great scowling anti-hero, and John Carpenter's low-budget dystopia has style and menace. It looks dated now.
Watch it if you
- like gritty 80s sci-fi
- enjoy tough anti-heroes
- want a short, moody action film
Skip it if you
- need big modern effects
- dislike dated pacing
Best for: Retro action night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Escape from New York
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Plex, Xumo Play
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Escape from New York parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Escape from New York is an R-rated dystopian action film set in a violent prison-island Manhattan, featuring gangs, hostages, and gunfights.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts gang violence, kidnapping, hostage-taking, and armed conflict throughout a dystopian prison setting.
- Language: Some — R rating suggests moderate profanity typical of the action genre.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Escape from New York
If you liked Escape from New York, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Thing (1982) — 93%: Carpenter and Kurt Russell again, in a much bleaker mood.
- Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) — 82%: Carpenter's earlier siege thriller, tough and tense.
- They Live (1988) — 81%: Carpenter's paranoid, satirical sci-fi action.
- The Terminator (1984) — 90%: Another lean, dark 80s sci-fi action film.
- The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) — 85%: Gritty New York thriller from the same era.
- First Blood (1982) — 83%: Tough, hunted loner in an action classic.
Director
Cast
- Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken
- Lee Van Cleef as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk
- Ernest Borgnine as Cabbie
- Donald Pleasence as President of the United States
- Isaac Hayes as The Duke of New York
- Season Hubley as Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
- Harry Dean Stanton as Harold 'Brain' Helman
- Adrienne Barbeau as Maggie
- Tom Atkins as Rehme
- Charles Cyphers as Secretary of State
Escape from New York FAQ
Is Escape from New York worth watching?
Worth watching. A war hero is sent into a Manhattan prison to rescue the President. Kurt Russell makes Snake Plissken a great scowling anti-hero, and John Carpenter's low-budget dystopia has style and menace. It looks dated now.
Where can I watch Escape from New York?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, Plex and Xumo Play and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Escape from New York OK for kids?
Escape from New York is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Escape from New York is an R-rated dystopian action film set in a violent prison-island Manhattan, featuring gangs, hostages, and gunfights.
What movies are like Escape from New York?
If you liked Escape from New York, try The Thing, Assault on Precinct 13, They Live and The Terminator.