Netflix has just added a critically acclaimed period drama film that has left fans in tears around the world.

Originally released in 1999, the jaw-dropping prison fantasy film is still considered an epic masterpiece almost three decades later.

Boasting a near-perfect 94 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Green Mile is almost guaranteed to become one of your new favourites despite its lengthy three-hour runtime.

This enthralling story, based on the novel by Stephen King, more than earns its marathon length, though, with compelling performances by Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, Bonnie Hunt, Sam Rockwell, James Cromwell, and many more familiar faces.

Hanks stars as prison guard Paul Edgecomb, tasked with overseeing the death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary during the Great Depression. He forms a bond with Black prisoner John Coffey (played by Duncan), who was convicted of murdering two white girls when he was found crying over their bodies.

Edgecomb soon discovers Coffey possesses supernatural healing abilities and starts to question his guilt, becoming conflicted over his impending execution.

Not only is The Green Mile based on an iconic novel, but fans also know they’re in safe hands as the film is directed by Frank Darabont. In addition to helming some recent episodes of Stranger Things, the filmmaker also brought to life another prison drama by King, the beloved masterpiece The Shawshank Redemption, which has remained at the top of IMDb’s list of the 250 best films of all time for several years.

The Green Mile also earned a place on the list, currently sitting at the number 25 spot.

One user even claimed in a 10/10 review: “Should be higher in top 250. One of those movies which makes you cry and admire creator’s mind. True Masterpiece.

“The story is so brilliant and takes you to a climax higher than the usual, that it baffles you to think that there exists a possibility in the human mind to create such a story. Kind of like songs, in which there are songs so brilliantly written that you can’t imagine a human being writing it. One of the best movies of all time and a must see!”

Someone else called it an “amazing and captivating rendition of the novel”.

“This is one of the best movie versions of a Stephen King novel I’ve ever seen,” they continued, “and I think I’ve seen them all. If you’re prone to tears at a film, take extra tissues, you’ll need them.”

Another fan remarked: “It will stay with you for a long time. I couldn’t possibly explain the overload of emotions I experienced in the 3 hours it lasts. I have laughed. I have felt the emotions of every character. And most of all, I have cried.

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“Very few movies have touched me like this one. Is there something to say about the acting that hasn’t been said before? No, it isn’t. You may have heard it is flawless, incredible, whatever. You did hear right, it absolutely is.

“I can’t think of anyone in the whole movie that wasn’t convincing in the least. The script has its funny moments, but it’s incredibly deep, poignant and heartfelt.

“The Green Mile is a movie I will hardly forget. You can’t possibly forget such an emotive story.”

Ready to settle in for a three-hour epic that will leave you thrilled, inspired, and emotionally wrecked? Netflix has you covered this week.

The Green Mile is available to stream on Netflix.