12 Years a Slave poster

12 Years a Slave

The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup.

7.9(12,307)20132h 14m13

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.

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Status
Released
Budget
$20M
Box office
$187M
Language
English
  • slavery
  • louisiana
  • based on true story
  • racism
  • based on memoir or autobiography
  • period drama
  • slave owner
  • shocking
  • 19th century
  • sold into slavery
  • abolitionist
  • african american history

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

United Kingdom, United States of America

Gallery

Still from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a SlaveStill from 12 Years a Slave

Videos

Release dates

  • IndiaIN

    • Theatrical21 Feb 2014
  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereTelluride Film Festival30 Aug 2013
    • PremiereNew York Film Festival8 Oct 2013
    • Theatrical (limited)R18 Oct 2013
    • TheatricalR8 Nov 2013
    • PhysicalR4 Mar 2014
  • United KingdomGB

    • Premiere15London Film Festival18 Oct 2013
    • Theatrical1510 Jan 2014
  • United Arab EmiratesAE

    • PremiereDubai International Film Festival9 Dec 2013
  • AustraliaAU

    • PremiereBrisbane Film Festival23 Nov 2013
    • TheatricalMA 15+30 Jan 2014
  • CanadaCA

    • PremiereToronto International Film Festival6 Sept 2013
    • Theatrical14A18 Oct 2013
  • ArgentinaAR

    • Theatrical6 Feb 2014
  • ArmeniaAM

    • Theatrical12 Dec 2013
  • BelgiumBE

    • Theatrical1822 Jan 2014
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical1421 Feb 2014
  • ChileCL

    • Theatrical6 Feb 2014
  • ColombiaCO

    • Theatrical7 Feb 2014

Frequently asked questions

12 Years a Slave was released on 18 October 2013.

Audience reviews

5
  • K

    kineticandroid

    6/21/2014

    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 myself before the film, it's not like I needed much convincing that slavery was bad. Or perhaps it was because I was shielding myself from …

  • A

    Andres Gomez

    5/2/2015

    8/10

    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.

  • P

    post_orgasmic_mood

    2/20/2017

    8/10

    Not 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 filmed beautifully with some (extremely) painful long shots which pulled you into Solomons nightmare. Im not sure if its a film I c…

  • S

    Shreyance Parakh

    5/4/2017

    10/10

    **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 actually used to do these atrocities on other human beings makes me cringe.To imagine waking up one day and find me in chains just becaus…

  • C

    CinemaSerf

    1/14/2026

    7/10

    There 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 villains, beaten savagely, then sold to work in the sugar plantations of Louisiana. He’s an intelligent man, a man of integrity and spirit - and t…

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