Amistad (1997): cast, story & where to watch
1997 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1997, Amistad is a drama, mystery and history film directed by Steven Spielberg, running about 155 minutes. “Freedom is not given. It is our right at birth. But there are some moments when it must be taken.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams also becomes an ally.
Who’s in it. Amistad stars Morgan Freeman as Theodore Joadson, Matthew McConaughey as Roger Sherman Baldwin, Anthony Hopkins as John Quincy Adams and Djimon Hounsou as Cinque, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Amistad has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $44.2M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Paramount Plus Essential and MGM Plus and rent or buy it from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Amistad page.
If you liked it. Fans of Amistad tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Amistad (1997)?
- In US, Amistad is available to stream on Paramount Plus Essential and MGM Plus, and rent or buy from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Amistad worth watching?
- Amistad holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, mystery and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Amistad?
- Amistad stars Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou and Nigel Hawthorne.
- When was Amistad released?
- Amistad was released in 1997, with a runtime of about 155 minutes.