12 Years a Slave
Ratings
Based on audience scoresIn 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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Frequently asked questions about 12 Years a Slave
What is 12 Years a Slave about?
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.
What are the ratings for 12 Years a Slave?
12 Years a Slave scores 7.9 on The Movie Database, 8.1 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 80 on Metacritic.
Who stars in 12 Years a Slave?
12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Paul Dano.
When did 12 Years a Slave come out?
12 Years a Slave was released in 2013.
Ratings and streaming availability are aggregated from third-party sources; metadata from The Movie Database (TMDB), streaming data from JustWatch. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Last updated August 2026.