Tom Hanks' 'The Green Mile' Surges on Streaming 27 Years Later

The 1999 Stephen King prison drama starring Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan has quietly returned to the top streaming charts.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tom Hanks' acclaimed 1999 drama The Green Mile, based on the Stephen King novel, has unexpectedly surged in popularity on streaming platforms 27 years after its initial release. The 189-minute film, which co-starred the late Michael Clarke Duncan, follows a death row prison guard (Hanks) who discovers an inmate (Duncan) with an extraordinary gift. Despite modest critical acclaim upon its release, the film was a major box office success and has continued to resonate with audiences over the decades, recently re-entering the top 10 most-watched titles on Apple TV in Ireland and the UK.

Why it matters

The renewed interest in The Green Mile highlights Hanks' enduring popularity and the lasting appeal of Stephen King's emotionally powerful prison stories, which also include the classic The Shawshank Redemption. The film's streaming success also demonstrates the continued demand for thoughtful, character-driven dramas in an era dominated by blockbusters and franchise films.

The details

The Green Mile, written and directed by Frank Darabont, was released in 1999 and based on King's serialized novel of the same name. The film follows prison guard Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) as he oversees death row inmates, including the gentle giant John Coffey (Duncan), who seems to possess supernatural healing powers. Despite its nearly 3-hour runtime, the film was a major box office hit, grossing $286 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.

  • The Green Mile was released in theaters on December 10, 1999.
  • The film has recently re-entered the top 10 most-watched titles on Apple TV in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The players

Tom Hanks

An acclaimed and Oscar-winning actor known for films like Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Michael Clarke Duncan

The late actor who co-starred as the gentle giant inmate John Coffey in The Green Mile.

Frank Darabont

The writer and director of The Green Mile, known for adapting Stephen King's works for the screen, including The Shawshank Redemption.

Stephen King

The renowned author whose novel The Green Mile was adapted into the 1999 film.

Doug Hutchison

The actor who played the antagonistic prison guard Percy Wetmore in The Green Mile.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Fans of Tom Hanks and Stephen King adaptations can look forward to the upcoming release of Toy Story 5 this summer, which will feature Hanks reprising his iconic role as the voice of Woody.

The takeaway

The resurgence of interest in The Green Mile on streaming platforms demonstrates the enduring appeal of thoughtful, character-driven dramas, even decades after their initial release. Tom Hanks' powerful performance and the film's emotional storytelling continue to resonate with audiences, solidifying its place as a modern classic.