Papillon (2017)

Kernel Score: 83% · 2,097 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Adventure, Crime, Drama

Released: 2017-09-07

Runtime: 134 minutes

Is Papillon worth watching?

Worth watching. A competent remake of the true prison-escape story, held up by Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek. It is solid and absorbing, but it never matches the weight of the earlier version.

Watch it if you

  • like prison-break stories based on real events
  • enjoy a buddy bond under pressure
  • have not seen the 1973 version

Skip it if you

  • already love the original and want something equal
  • dislike grim, brutal prison scenes

Best for: Solo night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Papillon

  • Stream: Cinemax Apple TV channel
  • Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Henri “Papillon” Charrière, a safecracker from the Parisian underworld, is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penal colony of French Guiana, where he forges a strong friendship with Louis Dega, a counterfeiter who needs his protection.

Papillon parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Papillon is an R-rated prison drama depicting brutal penal colony conditions and a wrongful conviction.

  • Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts a guillotine, solitary confinement, and the brutality of a real island prison colony.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Papillon

If you liked Papillon, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Papillon (1973) — 87%: The original adaptation of the same escape story
  • The Shawshank Redemption (1994) — 100%: Prison friendship and long-game hope against a brutal system
  • Cool Hand Luke (1967) — 85%: Defiant prisoner who will not be broken
  • Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) — 85%: True-story prisoner portrait set in a harsh institution
  • The Green Mile (1999) — 92%: Prison drama built on character and humanity

Director

Michael Noer

Cast

  • Charlie Hunnam as Henri 'Papillon' Charrière
  • Rami Malek as Louis Dega
  • Christopher Fairbank as Jean Castili
  • Eve Hewson as Nennete
  • Michael Socha as Julot
  • Brian Vernel as Guittou
  • Nicholas Asbury as Commandant
  • Louisa Pili as Clara
  • Antonio de la Cruz as Tribouillard
  • Andre Flynn as Galgani

Papillon FAQ

Is Papillon worth watching?

Worth watching. A competent remake of the true prison-escape story, held up by Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek. It is solid and absorbing, but it never matches the weight of the earlier version.

Where can I watch Papillon?

In the US you can stream Papillon on Cinemax Apple TV channel, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Papillon OK for kids?

Papillon is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Papillon is an R-rated prison drama depicting brutal penal colony conditions and a wrongful conviction.

What movies are like Papillon?

If you liked Papillon, try Papillon, The Shawshank Redemption, Cool Hand Luke and Birdman of Alcatraz.