What is the iRankMovies score for Escape from New York?

Name: Escape from New York
Director: John Carpenter
Genre: action, science-fiction, thriller
Released: 1981
Duration: 1 h 39 min
Rating: 7.1

Escape from New York has an iRankMovies score of 75.7/100, based on a weighted combination of IMDb (×3.0), Rotten Tomatoes (×2.0), Metacritic (×1.5), and TMDb (×1.0).

Escape from New York (1981)

1997. New York City is a walled, maximum security prison. Breaking out is impossible. Breaking in is insane.

Release:1981

Runtime:1h 39m

Country:United Kingdom

Director:John Carpenter

Language:English

Genre

ActionScience FictionThriller

See the best action movies →

Keywords

New York CityTaxiMartial ArtsStreet GangUsa PresidentWar VeteranKidnappingHostage

iRank76

Escape from New York rating: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic

IMDb7.1/10· 171K votes

Rotten Tomatoes85%

Metacritic76%

TMDb7.049/10· 4K votes

With 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, backed by 7.1/10 on IMDb and 76/100 on Metacritic, critical reception of this film has been very positive.

About Escape from New York

In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam free. After the US president crash-lands inside, war hero Snake Plissken has 24 hours to bring him back.

Cast of Escape from New York

Kurt Russell
as Snake Plissken
Lee Van Cleef
as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk
Ernest Borgnine
as Cabbie
Donald Pleasence
as President of the United States
Isaac Hayes
as The Duke of New York
Season Hubley
as Girl in Chock Full O'Nuts
Harry Dean Stanton
as Harold 'Brain' Helman
Adrienne Barbeau
as Maggie
Tom Atkins
as Rehme
Charles Cyphers
as Secretary of State
Frank Doubleday
as Romero
J
John Strobel
as Cronenberg

Escape from New York facts

Budget: $6M
Box office: $50.2M
Collection: Escape From ... Collection

Ranked by the iRankMovies editorial teamUpdated August 2026Methodology Data sources

Audience opinions

What the audience liked

•Cyberpunk dystopian aesthetic perfectly captures 1980s action cinema sensibility
•Anti-hero protagonist brings morally gray complexity rarely seen in action films
•Economical storytelling delivers escalating tension without unnecessary exposition

What the audience disliked

•Dated special effects and practical stunt work feel rough by contemporary standards
•Supporting cast development takes backseat to protagonist focused narrative arc

Saga: Escape From ... Collection