Escape from New York_
"1997. New York City is a walled, maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane."
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
Starring
Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine
Box Office
$50.2M
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Apple TV
14 countries
G
Google Play
11 countries
Prime Video
11 countries
YouTube
5 countries
Max
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Box office
Escape from New York earned $50.2M worldwide on a $6.0M budget — a 737% return on investment.
Year context
Escape from New York was released 45 years ago in 1981.
Escape from New York is a Science Fiction, Action film with a runtime of 1h 39m.
CAST (20)
Kurt Russell
Snake Plissken
Lee Van Cleef
Police Commissioner Bob Hauk
Ernest Borgnine
Cabbie
Donald Pleasence
President of the United States
Isaac Hayes
The Duke of New York
Season Hubley
Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
Harry Dean Stanton
Harold 'Brain' Helman
Adrienne Barbeau
Maggie
Tom Atkins
Rehme
Charles Cyphers
Secretary of State
Frank Doubleday
Romero
JS
John Strobel
Cronenberg
George Buck Flower
Drunk
John Cothran
Gypsy #1
Nancy Stephens
Stewardess
Steven Ford
Secret Service #2
John Carpenter
Secret Service #2 / Helicopter Pilot / Violin Player
Jamie Lee Curtis
Narrator / Prison Recording Voice (uncredited)
Nick Castle
Pianist
Debra Hill
Computer (voice)
BOX OFFICE
$6.0M
Budget
$50.2M
Revenue
+737%
ROI
MASSIVE HIT
Verdict
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
99 min (1h 39m)
Country
Rating
7.1/10 (3,431 votes)
Budget
$6,000,000
Box Office
$50,244,700
Profit
+$44,244,700
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Escape from New York about?
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.
How long is Escape from New York?
Escape from New York has a runtime of 99 minutes (1h 39m).
Who stars in Escape from New York?
The cast of Escape from New York includes Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes.
How much did Escape from New York make at the box office?
Escape from New York earned $50,244,700 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $6,000,000.
What is the rating of Escape from New York?
Escape from New York has a rating of 7.1 out of 10 based on 3,431 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Science Fiction
Action