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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1978 โ€บ Midnight Express

Midnight Express poster

Midnight Express (1978)

โ€œWalk into the incredible true experience of Billy Hayes. And bring all the courage you can.โ€

7.4/10 ยท 1,951 votes 2h 1m r DramaCrime

#9 of 26 films from 1978 #1023 of 3759 in drama

Directed by Alan Parker ยท Written by Oliver Stone, Billy Hayes

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Billy Hayes is caught attempting to smuggle drugs out of a country. The courts decide to make an example of him, sentencing him to more than 30 years in prison. Hayes has two opportunities for release: the appeals made by his lawyer, his family, and the American government, or the "Midnight Express".

Cast

Brad Davisas Billy Hayes
Irene Miracleas Susan
Bo Hopkinsas Tex
Paolo Bonacellias Rifki
Paul L. Smithas Hamidou
Randy Quaidas Jimmy Booth
Norbert Weisseras Erich
John Hurtas Max
Mike Kellinas Mr. Hayes
Franco Diogeneas Yesil
Michael Ensignas Stanley Daniels
Gigi Ballistaas Chief Judge
Kevork Malikyanas Prosecutor
Peter Jeffreyas Ahmet

Facts

Release dateAugust 31, 1978
Runtime121 min (2h 1m) โ€” about the same as the 1978 average of 111 min
GenresDrama, Crime
LanguageEN
Budget$2,300,000
Box office$35,000,000 (15.2ร— budget)
IMDbtt0077928

More from Alan Parker

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If you liked Midnight Express

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The GodfatherThe Godfather1972 ยท โ˜… 8.7 ยท 2h 55m The Godfather Part IIThe Godfather Part II1974 ยท โ˜… 8.6 ยท 3h 22m Once Upon a Time in AmericaOnce Upon a Time in America1984 ยท โ˜… 8.4 ยท 2h 19m ScarfaceScarface1983 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 2h 50m Taxi DriverTaxi Driver1976 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 1h 54m The StingThe Sting1973 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 2h 9m ChinatownChinatown1974 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 10m Dog Day AfternoonDog Day Afternoon1975 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 4m

Questions

How long is Midnight Express?
Midnight Express runs 121 minutes (2h 1m).
Is Midnight Express worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.4/10 across 1,951 votes, which places it #9 of 26 films released in 1978 in this index (top 69%) and #1023 among 3759 drama titles.
Who directed Midnight Express?
Midnight Express was directed by Alan Parker. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982), Mississippi Burning (1988), The Life of David Gale (2003).
Who stars in Midnight Express?
Brad Davis as Billy Hayes; Irene Miracle as Susan; Bo Hopkins as Tex; Paolo Bonacelli as Rifki; Paul L. Smith as Hamidou; Randy Quaid as Jimmy Booth.
What is Midnight Express rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Midnight Express?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/41859.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.