Movie
Where to Watch Papillon (1973) in the US
- 1973
- R
- 2h 31m
- 8.0IMDb
- 74%Rotten Tomatoes
- 58Metascore
Papillon is available free with ads, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States.
Free with ads
Free with a library card
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- Apple TV StoreSD151 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Apple TV StoreHD151 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Prime VideoSD151 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Prime VideoHD151 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Fandango at HomeSD151 minPGAudioEnglish$3.99Opens in a new tab.
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- Spectrum On DemandSD151 minPG$3.99Opens in a new tab.
- Spectrum On DemandHD151 minPG$3.99Opens in a new tab.
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Availability last checked Oct 9, 2026.
Report a wrong listingAvailability
- Watch the movie free with ads on Plex Channel (HD), Plex Player (HD), and Tubi TV.
- Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Kanopy (HD).
- Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Spectrum On Demand.
What it's about
A semi-fictional account of Henri Charrière's time in the penal system in French Guyana - some of it spent on infamous Devil's Island - is presented. It's the early 1930s. Charrière - nicknamed Papillon because of his butterfly tattoo - and Louis Dega are two among many who have been convicted in the French judicial system, they now being transferred to French Guyana where they will serve their time, never to return to France even if they are ever released. A safe-cracker by criminal profession, Papillon is serving a life sentence for murdering a pimp, a crime for which he adamantly states he was framed. Dega is a wealthy counterfeiter, who expects his well-to-do wife eventually to get him released. At Papillon's initiative, the duo enters into a business arrangement: Papillon will provide protection for Dega, who, in turn, will finance Papillon's escape attempt. As the two men spend more time together than either had expected, their burgeoning friendship ends up being an important factor altering their original plans, needed as they work with and against others who are trying to achieve their own goals, sometime conflicting with those of Papillon and Dega.
Cast and crew
- Director
- Franklin J. Schaffner
- Starring
- Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory
Details
- Release date
- Dec 19, 1973
- Language
- English, Spanish
- Country
- France, United States
- Box office
- $53,267,000
- Awards
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. 2 wins & 2 nominations total
Where to Watch Papillon (1973) in the US — common questions
- Where to watch Papillon in the United States?
- Papillon is available free with ads, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie free with ads on Plex Channel (HD), Plex Player (HD), and Tubi TV. Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Kanopy (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Spectrum On Demand.
- Can I stream Papillon or do I have to rent it in the United States?
- Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Spectrum On Demand.
- Can I watch Papillon for free in the United States?
- Watch the movie free with ads on Plex Channel (HD), Plex Player (HD), and Tubi TV. Watch the movie free with a participating library card on Kanopy (HD).
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