Eight Must-See Sci-Fi Prison Films

      It’s time to get confined with the key discarded as we explore these must-see sci-fi prison films…

      Certain sub-genres enjoy immense popularity. Whether it's a Die Hard imitation or an interpretation of Alien, some ideas are easily reshaped and rehashed for a fresh presentation.

      There are prison films that consistently serve as a reliable choice, with The Shawshank Redemption often cited as a top favorite among movie enthusiasts. But imagine taking that premise—of a protagonist driven by the urge to escape—and immersing it in the captivating realm of science fiction?

      This permits the inclusion of elements like explosive collar devices and advanced futuristic prisons. The unassuming sci-fi prison movie has delivered a plethora of entertainingly cheesy B-movie excitement. Here are eight key sci-fi prison films…

      No Escape

      From director Martin Campbell comes a wonderfully enhanced slice of B-movie enjoyment. This concept is often seen in the video market, supported by a moderately budgeted cast that features Ray Liotta, Stuart Wilson, Kevin Dillon, Lance Henriksen, Michael Lerner, and Ernie Hudson.

      Liotta finds himself on a prison island inhabited by two rival tribes of convicts—one led by Wilson (the malevolent, power-hungry leader) and the other by Henriksen. With an escape plan in mind, he must navigate perilous terrain, an inescapable island, and the assaults from Wilson’s tribe, making his fight for survival a challenging one.

      It could easily be forgettable, but thanks to Campbell’s skillful action direction, impressive cinematography, and excellent editing of the action sequences, No Escape remains engaging. At just under two hours, it’s slightly heavy in the middle, but it’s a lot of fun.

      The Running Man

      Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star project (loosely) adapted from Stephen King’s book is packed with all the Arnold-isms one would hope for from the peak of his career. Edgar Wright’s new adaptation is on the horizon, which promises a closer adherence to King’s original work; it will be intriguing to see if it can hold its own against Schwarzenegger’s rendition.

      In truth, this film ranks high among Arnold’s second-tier offerings, yet it still delivers loads of wisecracking, absurdly violent fun. Portraying Ben Richards, Arnold plays a helicopter pilot wrongfully accused of murder and sent to a vast gladiatorial prison arena where inmates battle gladiators in hopes of survival.

      The gladiators, including Jesse Ventura, are exaggeratedly larger-than-life, and the film’s satirical tone adds to its charm, even if it doesn’t quite match the sharp wit of Robocop. While Arnold collaborated with directors like Cameron, McTiernan, Milius, Hill, and Verhoeven during his prime, Paul Michael Glaser’s direction seems more utilitarian by comparison.

      Spoiler

      British action star Gary Daniels found success in the video market with several kickboxing films in the 90s. He ventured into different roles, as evidenced in Jeff Burr’s Spoiler.

      This sci-fi prison film has Daniels sentenced to years of cryogenic sleep as a form of dystopian punishment. He trades the typical complex fight scenes for a more relatable everyman role; his continual escape attempts to reunite with his daughter inevitably lead to recapture and prolonged sentences. As time passes, his young daughter ages into an elderly woman, while Daniels remains the same age due to his cryogenic state.

      Despite its low budget, the film features decent effects, an engaging story, and Daniels puts forth a commendable performance. While he may not be Laurence Olivier, he infuses the role with sincerity. Jeffrey Combs, Brian Genesse, and Meg Foster also offer strong supporting performances.

      Fortress

      Christopher Lambert embraced his role as a B-picture star, shifting between action, fantasy, and sci-fi throughout the 90s. Some of the better films received modest theatrical releases, including Fortress.

      After violating the one-child policy, Lambert and his wife are thrown into an inescapable futuristic prison controlled by a ruthless warden portrayed by Kurtwood Smith, who embodies sci-fi villainy.

      The film delivers plenty of enjoyable moments, ticking all the typical prison movie boxes with a few twists on the sci-fi theme. As usual, Lambert is a compelling hero, and the film benefits from having Stuart Gordon, a skilled director (with his long-time collaborator Jeffrey Combs appearing), at the helm.

      Escape Plan

      Drawing inspiration from Fortress, Escape Plan was billed as the ultimate team-up between Stallone and Schwarzenegger that fans had long wished for. The concept, while not necessarily flawed, felt somewhat outdated by 2013, resembling the types of B-movies prevalent during the 90s Blockbuster Video era.

      Although the iconic leads were perhaps past their peak, the film still benefits from their undeniable star power, particularly as Schwarzenegger plays the more interesting role and steals the show. Like many of Sly’s films