Where to Watch Midnight Express (1978) in the US

What it's about

On October 6, 1970 while boarding an international flight out of Istanbul Airport, American Billy Hayes (Brad Davis) is caught attempting to smuggle two kilos of hashish out of the country, the drugs strapped to his body. He is told that he will be released if he cooperates with the authorities in identifying the person who sold him the hashish. Billy's troubles really begin when after that assistance, he makes a run for it and is recaptured. He is initially sentenced to just over four years for possession, with no time for the more harsh crime of smuggling. The prison environment is inhospitable in every sense, with a sadistic prison guard named Hamidou (Paul L. Smith) ruling the prison, he who relishes the mental and physical torture he inflicts on the prisoners for whatever reason. Told to trust no one, Billy does befriend a few of the other inmates, namely fellow American Jimmy Booth (Randy Quaid) (in for stealing two candlesticks from a mosque), a Swede named Erich (Norbert Weisser), and one of the senior prisoners having already served seven years, an Englishman named Max (Sir John Hurt), the latter two also in for hashish-related charges. One prisoner not befriended is Rifki (Paolo Bonacelli), who wields power in the prison as the unofficial eyes and ears for the guards. As Billy, his family and his girlfriend Susan (Irene Miracle) attempt through legal and diplomatic channels for Billy's release, Max tells him that the only way out is to "catch the midnight express" (escape), which is what Jimmy is continually trying to do. When Billy's situation changes, he becomes more desperate in every sense of the word. It seems as if Billy has only two options: to let the prison ultimately figuratively then literally kill him, or to somehow regain control of his life through whatever means available.

Cast and crew

Director

Alan Parker

Writer

Oliver Stone, Billy Hayes, William Hoffer

Starring

Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins

Details

Release date

Oct 27, 1978

Language

English, Turkish, French

Country

United Kingdom, United States

Box office

$35,000,000

Awards

Won 2 Oscars. 17 wins & 14 nominations total

Where to Watch Midnight Express (1978) in the US — common questions

Where to watch Midnight Express in the United States?

Midnight Express is available with a subscription, free with ads, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on fuboTV (HD) and Sony Pictures Core (HD). Watch the movie free with ads on The Roku Channel (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Fawesome (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I stream Midnight Express or do I have to rent it in the United States?

Watch the movie with a subscription on fuboTV (HD) and Sony Pictures Core (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I watch Midnight Express for free in the United States?

Watch the movie free with ads on The Roku Channel (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Fawesome (HD).