12 Years a Slave
2013 | 134 min | Drama, History
Why it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (95%), audiences adore it (7.9/10), it won 3 Oscars and people are still talking about it. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Have you seen it?
Sign in to rate titles and get picks that fit your taste.
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96 on Metacritic
- AudiencesVery strong
7.9/10 from 12K viewers
- AwardsVery strong
14 wins, 6 other nominations — won Academy Award for Best Picture; won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$187 million worldwide on a $20 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
953K Wikipedia readers in the past year
Where to watch in US
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
Trailer
Cast & crew
Directed by Steve McQueen
- Chiwetel EjioforSolomon Northup
- Michael FassbenderEdwin Epps
- Lupita Nyong'oPatsey
- Benedict CumberbatchWilliam Ford
- Paul DanoJohn Tibeats
- Sarah PaulsonMary Epps
- Adepero OduyeEliza
- Scoot McNairyBrown
- Paul GiamattiTheophilus Freeman
- Brad PittSamuel Bass