Film · 1997 · 155 min · R · Drama · History · Mystery
Freedom is not given. It is our right at birth. But there are moments when it must be taken.
In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams also becomes an ally.
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, David Paymer, Pete Postlethwaite, Stellan Skarsgård
Released in cinemas in the United States on 25 December 1997.
JustWatch lists it to rent or buy on JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and 4 more. No subscription streaming service is listed yet.
From TMDB release dates and JustWatch offers, as listed on 17 October 2026. Both change often; a missing date or offer means none is listed yet.
Release dates in the United States
In cinemas
25 December 1997
Digital release
No date listed
Physical release
No date listed
Premiere or festival screening
4 December 1997 · Washington, D.C.
First cinema release anywhere
10 December 1997 (the United States)
Dates come from TMDB and can change. The digital date is the first rental, purchase or streaming date and does not confirm a launch on a particular service; the physical date does not confirm a Blu-ray or 4K edition. Both are often added closer to release.
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