Released in 1994, is an American drama directed by Frank Darabont, based on Stephen King's 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption . Though it was a box-office disappointment upon its initial release, it has since become one of the most beloved and highest-rated films of all time, consistently ranking at #1 on IMDb's Top 250 list . Movie Overview The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - IMDb