Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Binge Prison Break on Netflix

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Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Binge Prison Break on Netflix

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  • Netflix Added Prison Break in August 2024 After a Seven-Year Absence
  • Hulu is Developing a Prison Break Reboot in 2024

As a seasoned movie critic who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless television series over the years, I must say that revisiting “Prison Break” on Netflix is like stepping into a time machine back to 2005. The thrill, the suspense, and the unparalleled bond between brothers – it’s all there.

After a break of seven years, Netflix made a comeback with all 90 episodes of the popular crime drama “Prison Break” in August 2024. The series includes its fifth and final season, which premiered on the Fox network in 2017, nine years following Season 4’s conclusion. Since then, it has consistently been one of Netflix’s most-viewed TV shows. As “Prison Break” approaches its 20th anniversary in 2025, this is an excellent time to catch up with the show before Hulu releases its reboot.

With significant strides made in prison security technology over the past two decades, the upcoming reboot of “Prison Break” is sure to challenge how the inmates devise their daring escapes. As we wait for an official release date, this pause offers a perfect chance to delve into the narrative, characters, world-creation, and climactic moments of the original “Prison Break,” which remains popular on Netflix in the US.

What Is Prison Break About?

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Binge Prison Break on Netflix

2005 saw the debut of “Prison Break,” a highly-acclaimed crime series dreamt up by Paul Scheuring. This series initially aired on Fox, running for four seasons until 2008. In 2017, a brief fifth season with only nine episodes was introduced, marking a return nine years after the conclusion of Season 4. The story revolves around Michael Schofield (played by Wentworth Miller), an ingenious structural engineer who devises a plan to free his brother from Fox River State Penitentiary by pretending to be an inmate and working on the inside.

Michael Scofield’s sibling, Lincoln Burrows, portrayed by Dominic Purcell, was wrongfully accused and imprisoned for murder. Throughout Michael’s relentless attempts to secure his release, he encounters obstacles from the system at every juncture. Not only does he have to contend with corrupt police officers and stern prison guards, but also hostile inmates, among them notorious adversary Theodore “T-Bag” Bagwell (Robert Knepper), the head of an Aryan white supremacist group.

Back in 2005, I found myself utterly captivated by “Prison Break”, a TV drama that quickly became a sensation, both critically and commercially. It was no surprise when it scooped the 2006 People’s Choice Award for Best New TV Drama. The series even earned two Golden Globe nominations in 2006, with Wentworth Miller being recognized for his stellar performance.

Netflix Added Prison Break in August 2024 After a Seven-Year Absence

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Binge Prison Break on Netflix

In 2024, Prison Break is a fantastic choice to stream due to its recent availability on Netflix. This popular streaming service re-added Prison Break in August of 2024, which was seven years after it initially left the platform. Previously, those who didn’t catch the show during its original run on Fox or its initial airing on Netflix in 2017 now have an opportunity to watch the entire series from start to finish. For newcomers, this is much more convenient compared to fans who had to wait nearly a decade between Season 4 in 2008 and Season 5 in 2017. Now that all 90 episodes are gathered in one place, watching the series has never been easier.

Initially, the first season of “Prison Break” consisted of 13 episodes. Due to its high viewership, an additional nine episodes were produced, making a total of 22 episodes for that season. Seasons 2 and 4 also had 22 episodes each, while Season 3 contained only 13. The fifth season, released nine years later, had a shorter run of nine episodes. Binge-watching all 90 episodes now available on Netflix will help fans follow the plot of the standalone spin-off movie “The Final Break” from 2009. If there’s ever a sixth season produced, it could be beneficial to watch “Prison Break”. However, the main reason to revisit “Prison Break” in 2024 is the upcoming reboot on Hulu.

Hulu is Developing a Prison Break Reboot in 2024

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Binge Prison Break on Netflix

In July 2024, there’s been an exciting update about the Prison Break reboot that Hulu is working on, which was initially announced in November 2023. One of the original producers, Marty Adelstein, shared with Deadline that the scriptwriting process for the reboot has started and is progressing smoothly. He stated, “Things are going really well. The first draft was exceptionally good. They’ve provided feedback, and it appears to be moving forward.”

Adelstein is set to serve as an executive producer on the upcoming Hulu revival of “Prison Break.” Elgin James, creator of both “Mayans M.C.” and “The Outlaws,” is scheduled to pen the new episodes. Joining him will be original series creator Paul Scheuring, along with executive producers Dawn Olmstead and Neal Moritz. While it’s uncertain if Wentworth Miller will reappear, no cast members for the Hulu “Prison Break” revival have been announced yet.

According to ScreenRant, although specifics are not yet fully revealed, the revival of Prison Break is expected to take place within the original storyline but delve into unexplored territories. The initial setting for Prison Break was Chicago’s Fox River State Penitentiary, where Michael Scofield devised a daring plan to free his brother Lincoln. While the same location will be featured in the reboot, it appears that the narrative will unfold as a fresh chapter and may introduce new characters.

Watching the first five seasons of Prison Break while they’re on Netflix is a wise decision for those looking forward to the Hulu reboot, which has yet to lock an official release date. It’s also an ideal way of binging the entire series from front to back, especially for those who waited nearly a decade to see the truncated 5th season. Between the convenience and context provided before the potential sixth season and the official Hulu reboot, Prison Break is just as urgent a watch in 2024 as in 2005.

Prison Break is available to stream on Netflix.

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2024-08-10 00:01