Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

12 Years a Slave

  • 20132013
  • RR
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
687K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
947
187
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
Play trailer2:27
12 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
687K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
947
187
  • Director
    • Steve McQueen
  • Writers
    • John Ridley(screenplay by)
    • Solomon Northup(based on "Twelve Years a Slave" by)
  • Stars
    • Chiwetel Ejiofor
    • Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Michael Fassbender
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steve McQueen
  • Writers
    • John Ridley(screenplay by)
    • Solomon Northup(based on "Twelve Years a Slave" by)
  • Stars
    • Chiwetel Ejiofor
    • Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Michael Fassbender
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 957User reviews
    • 488Critic reviews
    • 96Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #183
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 242 wins & 337 nominations total

    Videos12

    UK Trailer
    Trailer 2:27
    UK Trailer
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:29
    Trailer #1
    12 Years a Slave
    Trailer 2:21
    12 Years a Slave
    The Rise of Chiwetel Ejiofor
    Clip 4:09
    The Rise of Chiwetel Ejiofor
    12 Years a Slave
    Clip 0:41
    12 Years a Slave
    12 Years a Slave
    Clip 0:56
    12 Years a Slave
    Exclusive Featurette
    Featurette 4:39
    Exclusive Featurette
    Exclusive: The Director's Vision
    Featurette 3:51
    Exclusive: The Director's Vision
    The Envelope Screening Series
    Featurette 3:08
    The Envelope Screening Series
    "A Portrait of Solomon Northup"
    Featurette 5:36
    "A Portrait of Solomon Northup"
    "Fight Back" TV Spot
    Promo 0:49
    "Fight Back" TV Spot
    Lupita Nyong'o of 'Us': "No Small Parts"
    Video 3:20
    Lupita Nyong'o of 'Us': "No Small Parts"

    Photos198

    Chiwetel Ejiofor and Adepero Oduye in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Paul Dano and Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Sarah Paulson and Michael Fassbender in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Paul Giamatti in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kelsey Scott, Quvenzhané Wallis, and Cameron Zeigler in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Cumberbatch in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Sarah Paulson and Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Chiwetel Ejiofor
    Chiwetel Ejiofor
    • Solomon Northupas Solomon Northup
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Robertas Robert
    Michael Fassbender
    Michael Fassbender
    • Edwin Eppsas Edwin Epps
    Brad Pitt
    Brad Pitt
    • Bassas Bass
    Dwight Henry
    Dwight Henry
    • Uncle Abramas Uncle Abram
    Dickie Gravois
    • Overseeras Overseer
    Bryan Batt
    Bryan Batt
    • Judge Turneras Judge Turner
    Ashley Dyke
    Ashley Dyke
    • Annaas Anna
    Kelsey Scott
    Kelsey Scott
    • Anne Northupas Anne Northup
    Quvenzhané Wallis
    Quvenzhané Wallis
    • Margaret Northupas Margaret Northup
    Cameron Zeigler
    • Alonzo Northupas Alonzo Northup
    Tony Bentley
    Tony Bentley
    • Mr. Moonas Mr. Moon
    Scoot McNairy
    Scoot McNairy
    • Brownas Brown
    Taran Killam
    Taran Killam
    • Hamiltonas Hamilton
    Christopher Berry
    Christopher Berry
    • Burchas Burch
    Bill Camp
    Bill Camp
    • Radburnas Radburn
    Mister Mackey Jr.
    • Randallas Randall
    Chris Chalk
    Chris Chalk
    • Clemensas Clemens
    • Director
      • Steve McQueen
    • Writers
      • John Ridley(screenplay by)
      • Solomon Northup(based on "Twelve Years a Slave" by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    A Guide to the Films of Steve McQueen

    A Guide to the Films of Steve McQueen

    Through detailed close-ups, single-take dialogues, and powerhouse performances, Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen has shown audiences his unflinching perspectives on real-world drama.
    Watch the video
    Image caption not available
    2:08

    More like this

    Spotlight
    8.1
    Spotlight
    Million Dollar Baby
    8.1
    Million Dollar Baby
    Green Book
    8.2
    Green Book
    A Beautiful Mind
    8.2
    A Beautiful Mind
    Catch Me If You Can
    8.1
    Catch Me If You Can
    No Country for Old Men
    8.2
    No Country for Old Men
    Inglourious Basterds
    8.3
    Inglourious Basterds
    Django Unchained
    8.4
    Django Unchained
    Gran Torino
    8.1
    Gran Torino
    Shutter Island
    8.2
    Shutter Island
    The Wolf of Wall Street
    8.2
    The Wolf of Wall Street
    Hacksaw Ridge
    8.1
    Hacksaw Ridge

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The tree where Solomon sees several men being lynched was actually used for lynching, and is surrounded by the graves of murdered slaves.
    • Goofs
      When "Platt" is explaining how to bring the logs down the river, the overseer scornfully asks him where he became an expert in engineering and "terraforming." This a word coined by science fiction author Jack Williamson in 1942, almost exactly 100 years after the scene takes place.
    • Quotes

      Solomon Northup: I don't want to survive. I want to live.

    • Crazy credits
      "In 1853 Solomon published the book 'Twelve Years a Slave'."
    • Connections
      Featured in The Onion Film Standard: 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      My Lord, Sunshine
      Written by Nicholas Britell

      Performed by Roosevelt Credit and David Hughey

    User reviews957

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Michael Fassbender was an outstanding character in this movie.
    For me ,being only 15 years old, I thought this film would be boring, like any other "documentary". However this movie was extremely well put together and it kept me engaged throughout the entire two hours. I especially like how Michael Fassbender played his role in this movie. He showed so much emotion and it was believable. Also I like how Brad Pitt was portrayed as some sort of charming hero. Benedict Cumberbatch was a very favorable character, as always. Chiwetel was very exceptional at playing his role. He also showed a mass amount of emotion which made the film, once again, believable. However, the ending was sort of cheesy, and I didn't know who was who. Anyways, I'm definitely watching this and buying it when it comes out on DVD.
    helpful•5
    0
    • s-s-haylin14
    • Mar 30, 2014

    FAQ9

    • Is '12 Years a Slave' based on a book?
    • Did Solomon really play the violin?
    • Did Solomon's kidnappers really drug him?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 8, 2013 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Twelve Years a Slave
    • Filming locations
      • Madame John's Legacy, the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Regency Productions
      • River Road Entertainment
      • Plan B Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $56,671,993
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $923,715
      • Oct 20, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $187,733,202
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Top Gap
    What is the streaming release date of 12 Years a Slave (2013) in Canada?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.