Nearly three decades after its theatrical release, one of the most captivating movies of the ’90s starring Tom Hanks has become the biggest title on streaming. The ’90s were huge for the Academy Award-winning actor, with projects like Forrest Gump, Toy Story, Philadelphia, and Saving Private Ryan standing among his most celebrated movies.
In 1999, he delivered another memorable performance in this fantasy thriller. Few movies balance such heartbreaking tragedy with an uplifting message, and this three-hour epic does both exceptionally well.
‘The Green Mile’ Is a Beautiful Tale of Human Compassion
Frank Darabont’s The Green Mile is based on the 1996 serial novel of the same name by Stephen King. It follows several prison guards working at a death-row penitentiary in the 1930s. Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) leads the guards, and their newest arrival is as mysterious as he is unusual. John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) is convicted of a horrific crime, but he claims he didn’t do it. As the days leading up to the execution pass, Coffey reveals a gift that will change the lives of everyone on the block. Edgecomb is particularly affected, gradually coming to believe that the man about to be executed may be innocent and that they may be about to execute a man who possesses extraordinary powers.
At 189 minutes, The Green Mile is a long character-driven journey that unfolds within a single setting. As “linear” as it may sound, Darabont’s faithful adaptation of King’s book is anything but predictable. Despite being a King movie, The Green Mile is nowhere close to horror, but it does step into scary territory with its depiction of the prison system.
The writer-director – who also made The Shawshank Redemption as well as The Mist – takes his time revealing Coffey’s extraordinary secret, and ultimately, the film fully embraces its fantasy elements. Fortunately, a strong cast that also includes Sam Rockwell, David Morse, James Cromwell, and Barry Pepper is responsible for keeping the story grounded in its dramatic setting.
27 Years Later, ‘The Green Mile’ Becomes the No. 1 Movie on Streaming
The Green Mile arrived in theaters in December 1999 and became a box office hit. Released a few weeks after Hanks’ other big 1999 project, the Disney-Pixar sequel Toy Story 2, The Green Mile captivated audiences around the world, and grossed $286.8 million against a production budget of $60 million. The film was also present on the awards circuit the following year and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Clarke Duncan.
The critical reception was positive, with many praising Frank Darabont’s skill at constructing an emotional story that holds audiences for over three hours. However, some critics also took issue with its lengthy runtime. It currently holds a 78% critics’ score and a Certified Fresh label on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score, however, is significantly higher at 94%.
Today, The Green Mile has resurfaced on streaming and climbed up the charts. A few weeks ago, it appeared on the top 10 list of most-watched titles on free streaming service Tubi, and according to the latest update to the rankings, it sits at No. 1 on the charts. It currently ranks above classics such as The Goonies, Grease, and Waterworld, which are also available on the platform.
