10 Movies & Shows Like Doing Life (1986)

Description: A story of defiance and individualism in a Southern prison camp, highlighting the protagonist's unbreakable spirit and the oppressive system he resists.

Fact: The famous 'egg-eating' scene was not scripted; Paul Newman actually ate 50 hard-boiled eggs over the course of filming the sequence. The film popularized the phrase 'What we've got here is a failure to communicate.'

Description: A harrowing account of a foreigner's nightmarish experience in a Turkish prison, focusing on survival, desperation, and the extremes of human endurance.

Fact: The film sparked controversy in Turkey for its portrayal of the prison system. The real-life Billy Hayes later stated that many events in the film were exaggerated for dramatic effect.

Description: A gripping depiction of a real-life prison break, emphasizing meticulous planning, the harsh realities of incarceration, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.

Fact: Clint Eastwood performed many of his own stunts, including swimming in the cold San Francisco Bay waters. The film was shot on location at the actual Alcatraz Island.

Description: A gritty expose of prison corruption and reform efforts, following a warden who goes undercover as an inmate to witness the abuses firsthand.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life experiences of Thomas Murton, a prison reformer in Arkansas. Robert Redford performed many of his own stunts, including the scene where he's thrown into solitary confinement.

Description: A powerful story of hope and resilience set within the confines of a prison, focusing on the bonds formed between inmates and the struggle for personal redemption.

Fact: Despite its initial box office disappointment, it became a cult classic through word of mouth and frequent television airings. It is often ranked as one of the greatest films of all time.

Description: A profound examination of capital punishment through the relationship between a death row inmate and a nun, exploring themes of guilt, forgiveness, and redemption.

Fact: Susan Sarandon spent months researching her role by meeting with real-life nun Helen Prejean, on whose book the film is based. The film's title comes from the traditional term for a condemned prisoner being led to execution.

Description: A harrowing look at racism, redemption, and the consequences of violence, set against the backdrop of prison life and its transformative impact on individuals.

Fact: Edward Norton famously gained 30 pounds of muscle for the role, then lost it all to portray his character's post-prison transformation. The film's infamous curb-stomping scene was almost cut due to its extreme violence.

Description: A poignant tale set on death row, exploring themes of injustice, compassion, and the supernatural, with deep emotional resonance and moral dilemmas.

Fact: The film is based on a serial novel by Stephen King, released in six monthly installments. It features one of the few roles where Michael Clarke Duncan was not typecast as a menacing figure.

Description: A biographical drama about wrongful imprisonment and the fight for justice, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit against systemic injustice.

Fact: Denzel Washington trained extensively to portray boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, even sparring with the real Carter. The film's title refers to Carter's boxing nickname, not the weather phenomenon.

Description: A raw and intense portrayal of a young man's rise within the brutal hierarchy of a prison, blending crime drama with deep character study.

Fact: The film was shot in sequence over six months to allow the lead actor to physically transform. It won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and was France's official submission for the Academy Awards.