12 Years a Slave
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
Directed by Steve McQueen · Biography · Drama · History · 134 min · 2013
Trailer
Director
Steve McQueen
Studio
N/A
Release
08 Nov 2013
Runtime
134 min
Genres
Biography, Drama, History
Full Plot
Based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. 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 personified by a malevolent slave owner, 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.
Cast & Characters
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $20.0M, 12 Years a Slave has grossed $187.0M worldwide — about 9.3x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
12 Years a Slave earned $187.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
After meeting screenwriter John Ridley at a Creative Artists Agency screening of Hunger in 2008, director Steve McQueen got in touch with Ridley about his interest in making a film about "the slave era in America" with "a character that was not obvious in terms of their trade in slavery.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
12 Years a Slave holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (785,552 votes), 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 11, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.1/10 on IMDb (785,552 votes), 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 12 Years a Slave's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
12 Years a Slave holds a 95% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is 12 Years a Slave's IMDb rating?+
12 Years a Slave has a 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from 785,552 votes.
What is 12 Years a Slave's Metacritic score?+
12 Years a Slave has a Metascore of 96/100 on Metacritic.
Is 12 Years a Slave good? What are critics saying?+
12 Years a Slave holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (785,552 votes), 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96/100 on Metacritic.
How long is 12 Years a Slave?+
12 Years a Slave has a runtime of 134 min.
Who directed 12 Years a Slave?+
12 Years a Slave was directed by Steve McQueen.
Where can I watch 12 Years a Slave?+
12 Years a Slave is available to stream, rent, or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels, Rakuten TV, Sky Store, BFI Player.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public's reaction to "12 Years a Slave" is overwhelmingly positive. Reviewers praise the film's exceptional craftsmanship, editing, and performances by Ejiofor and other cast members. Many also comment on the movie's emotional impact, saying it brings out strong feelings in viewers. Reviews are generally characterizing as moving and tear-inducing.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Sometimes, I just have to stop my brain in the middle of a film and just admire its exceptional craftsmanship. I found myself doing that time and time again during this film. Perhaps I was more open to admiring the shot compositions and acting choices because, as I cynically told…
This movie is very, very well done. Well, edited and with the proper long shots at the proper moments bringing you to the life of Solomon without remedy. All the cast performs exceptionally well and Ejiofor is to be remembered for this film. A must to be seen.
Andres Gomez · 8/10Not in a long time have I seen a movie that brings out real emotions from my cold hearted soul. This movie brought them out in floods of tears. the acting was superb, especially from the lead Chiwetel Ejiofor, he acted from his little toe right up to his eyes. The style was also…
post_orgasmic_mood · 8/10**Dreaded at the thought that human kind ACTUALLY had this kind of livelihood at some point of time..** Could not gather my thoughts to write this review at the end of the movie.Feeling really bogged down by some heaviness on my chest. Thinking about the times in history when we…
Shreyance Parakh · 10/10There are plenty of stories of slaves in the USA, but this is the only one I’ve come across where a free citizen is kidnapped and sold into slavery. It’s this latter-day people trafficking that sees successful family man Solomon Northup (Chiwitel Ejiofor) fall foul of some villai…
CinemaSerf · 7/10
From the trailer's comments
"I don't want to survive, I want to live" That part always gets me.
@andro7862 · 1229 likes"I don't want to survive, i want to live..."
@vlaki007gaming · 627 likesIt so sad that a lot of people didn't live freely and like a human because of the color of their skin
@FEONH999 · 8120 likesThis movie was one of the most moving, emotional films I have ever seen. It's been years since I last watched it and this trailer still gives me chills. It breaks my heart to know how cruel people can be. To keep other humans as your property, because of the colour of their skin.…
@ash70409 · 490 likesI highly don't recommend watching this movie on a plane, It made the woman on the opposite aisle cry. I didn't even know people looked at your screens lol.
@ElectricRides · 3226 likesThe acting in this film is insanely good.
@peppermint23 · 7690 likesA lot of people really don't understand how bad American slavery was. This wasn't regular old world slavery, this was chattel slavery, you were born a slave, you died a slave, your children died slaves, and your children's children died slaves. You could never hope to be anything…
@u-n-isurvive3030 · 4527 likesIt's amazing that Solomon's story is being heard 165 years later. This movie had me in tears. I'm so heartbroken for what black people had to go through and so sorry for the horrible treatment they had to endure. I pray for the healing of those that are affected by the history an…
@greenflame0111 · 382 likes
