Escape from Pretoria (2020)
Kernel Score: 81% · 1,452 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, History, Thriller
Released: 2020-03-06
Runtime: 102 minutes
Where to watch Escape from Pretoria
- Stream: Prime Video, Starz
- Free with ads: Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free, Plex
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
South Africa, 1978. Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee, two white political activists from the African National Congress imprisoned by the apartheid regime, put a plan in motion to escape from the infamous Pretoria Prison.
Escape from Pretoria parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Escape from Pretoria is a PG-13 historical thriller about political prisoners escaping apartheid-era South Africa, involving imprisonment and political persecution themes.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Tense prison-escape scenario with the threat of violence under an oppressive apartheid regime, without graphic content.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Escape from Pretoria
If you liked Escape from Pretoria, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- BlacKkKlansman (2018) — 87%
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) — 85%
- Emancipation (2022) — 87%
- Malcolm X (1992) — 84%
- Sacco & Vanzetti (1971) — 86%
- Invictus (2009) — 82%
- The Mauritanian (2021) — 84%
- Bloody Sunday (2002) — 79%
Director
Francis Annan
Cast
- Daniel Radcliffe as Tim Jenkin
- Daniel Webber as Stephen Lee
- Ian Hart as Denis Goldberg
- Mark Leonard Winter as Leonard
- Nathan Page as Mongo
- Grant Piro as Schnepel
- Len Firth as Vermeulen
- Lliam Amor as Kitson
- Adam Tuominen as Jeremy
- PJ Oaten as Rabkin
Escape from Pretoria FAQ
Is Escape from Pretoria good?
Escape from Pretoria has an 81% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,452 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Escape from Pretoria?
In the US you can stream Escape from Pretoria on Prime Video and Starz, watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Fawesome, The Roku Channel, YouTube Free and Plex and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Escape from Pretoria OK for kids?
Escape from Pretoria is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Escape from Pretoria is a PG-13 historical thriller about political prisoners escaping apartheid-era South Africa, involving imprisonment and political persecution themes.
What movies are like Escape from Pretoria?
If you liked Escape from Pretoria, try BlacKkKlansman, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Emancipation and Malcolm X.