12 Years a Slave (2013): cast, story & where to watch
2013 · Film · ★ 7.9
Released in 2013, 12 Years a Slave is a drama and history film directed by Steve McQueen, running about 134 minutes. “The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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 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.
Who’s in it. 12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, Michael Fassbender as Edwin Epps, Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey and Benedict Cumberbatch as William Ford, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.9/10, 12 Years a Slave has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $187M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Hulu and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch 12 Years a Slave page.
If you liked it. Fans of 12 Years a Slave tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch 12 Years a Slave (2013)?
- In US, 12 Years a Slave is available to stream on Hulu, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is 12 Years a Slave worth watching?
- 12 Years a Slave holds an audience score of 7.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in 12 Years a Slave?
- 12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Dano.
- When was 12 Years a Slave released?
- 12 Years a Slave was released in 2013, with a runtime of about 134 minutes.