Ernest Goes to Jail (1990): cast, story & where to watch
1990 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1990, Ernest Goes to Jail is a comedy and family film directed by John R. Cherry III, running about 81 minutes. “Guilty of Maximum Fun in the First Degree!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Bumbling Ernest P. Worrell is assigned to jury duty, where a crooked lawyer notices a resemblance with crime boss Mr. Nash, and arranges a switch. Nash assumes Ernest's job as a bank employee, while Ernest undergoes Nash's sentence to the electric chair. But instead of killing him, the electrocution gives Ernest superhuman powers, enabling him to escape from jail and foil Nash's attempt to rob the bank.
Who’s in it. Ernest Goes to Jail stars Jim Varney as Ernest P. Worrell, Gailard Sartain as Chuck, Bill Byrge as Bobby and Barbara Tyson as Charlotte Sparrow (as Barbara Bush), among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, Ernest Goes to Jail has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can 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 Ernest Goes to Jail page.
If you liked it. Fans of Ernest Goes to Jail tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)?
- In US, Ernest Goes to Jail is available to 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 Ernest Goes to Jail worth watching?
- Ernest Goes to Jail holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and family. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Ernest Goes to Jail?
- Ernest Goes to Jail stars Jim Varney, Gailard Sartain, Bill Byrge, Barbara Tyson and Barry Scott.