11 exciting films about abductions. Version from IMDb (12 photos)

IMDb is a freely editable website and the world's largest movie database. Currently, the IMDb database is owned by Amazon.com. As of January 2021, the database contains information on more than 6.5 million films and television series. We present to your attention 11 films in ascending order of rating.





Classics from the Coen brothers, a film adaptation of King's story and other interesting films.

11. Cellular

USA, Germany, 2004.

action, thriller, crime.

Duration: 94 minutes.

IMDb: 6.5.



Jessica is suddenly kidnapped in broad daylight and locked in a room. All she has is a somehow working phone. She dials a random number. On the other end of the line is Ryan, a young student. He finds out about what happened and tries to save the girl. The incredibly difficult task is complicated by the fact that the savior's cell phone is about to stop working, and there is no time to recharge.

The plot of the film deserves the highest praise: the action develops so unexpectedly and dynamically. It was based on the idea of ​​Hollywood screenwriter Larry Cohen. It is noteworthy that before this he had already written a similar script for the psychological thriller “Phone Booth”. However, there the hero cannot leave his place - in Cellular, Cohen turned this idea on its head and gave the character the opportunity to be anywhere.

10. The Call

USA, 2013.

thriller, crime, drama.

Duration: 95 minutes.

IMDb: 6.7.





Jordan Turner is a 911 operator in Los Angeles. One day she makes a mistake that leads to the death of a young girl at the hands of a rapist. After some time, the situation repeats itself: the headquarters receives a call from a frightened teenager who is in the trunk of a kidnapper. Jordan takes matters into his own hands, trying to identify the culprit and save the unfortunate child.

As planned by the screenwriter, “Alarm Call” was supposed to be an action-packed series dedicated to the work of emergency service operators. However, they later decided to release a film based on the script of the pilot episode of this show. The creators of the project made the right decision and presented the audience with a wonderful movie.

Thanks to the sharp plot, the film keeps you in suspense until the very end. And the stunning Halle Berry as Jordan adds shine to the film.

9. All the Money in the World

USA, Italy, UK, 2017.

thriller, drama, crime, detective, biography.

Duration: 132 minutes.

IMDb: 6.8.



Teenager John is kidnapped by unknown assailants in order to obtain ransom from his grandfather, Jean Paul Getty. The fact is that Jean Paul is an oil tycoon and the richest man in the world. However, he does not want to pay money to save his grandson. In his opinion, this will mark the beginning of a series of abductions of his relatives. In contrast to him is Gail, John’s mother, who is ready to do anything to get her son back.

There is an unpleasant story associated with the production of this film. Initially, Kevin Spacey starred in the role of a greedy tycoon for the film. However, later a scandal erupted around the actor, and director Ridley Scott decided to replace him with Christopher Plummer. This move caused a stir in the film community: some supported the director, while other colleagues reproached him for such a step.

However, despite the difficulties in production, the film turned out to be very organic and beautifully made, like Scott's other works.

8. The skin in which I live/ La piel que habito

Spain, USA, 2011.

thriller, crime, drama.

Duration: 120 minutes.

IMDb: 7.6.



Robert Ledgard is a surgical genius. He invented a material that could be an excellent replacement for human skin. Ledgard's discovery could help those who have been in an accident or suffered from burns. However, this innovator scares his colleagues: his methods cause mistrust. They do not yet know that in a mansion on the outskirts of the city, Robert is keeping a captive on whom he is testing his invention.

The film was directed by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, who has long been called a classic during his lifetime. The film has a very unusual, slightly crazy atmosphere and a confusing plot. And even the most savvy viewer is unlikely to be able to guess the outcome of the action. The fact is that only at the end of the story is the very rich history of each character revealed to us.

The film took part in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011, but did not receive any awards. But BAFTA a year later named The Skin I Live In best foreign language film.

7. Changeling

USA, 2008.

thriller, drama, crime, detective, biography, history.

Duration: 141 minutes.

IMDb: 7.7.



Single mother Christine is raising her son Walter. One day she is late at work, and upon returning home she discovers that her boy has gone missing. The police are unable to help the woman, and then Pastor Gustav turns his attention to the case. He criticizes the helplessness of law enforcement, and the public begins to follow the case in the Collins family. Some time later, the police find the missing Walter. Only Christine understands that this is not her child. The woman will have to go to great lengths to bring her son home.

Initially, “The Changeling” was supposed to be directed by Ron Howard, known for the films “A Beautiful Mind,” “Knockdown,” and “The Da Vinci Code.” But due to his busy schedule, the project was transferred to Clint Eastwood. He agreed to sit in the director's chair immediately after reading the script.

The plot of the drama draws in the viewer and keeps him in suspense until the very end. The sad fact is that the film is based on a true story of child abduction in California in 1928.

6. Hostage/ Taken

France, USA, 2008.

action, thriller.

Duration: 90 minutes.

IMDb: 7.8.



Former CIA agent Brian Mills reluctantly allows his 17-year-old daughter Kim to go to Paris with a friend. Brian's fears come true. Immediately after arriving in the city of dreams, the girls are kidnapped by criminals working in a sex slavery network. During the attack, Kim manages to call her father and provide several details that will serve as clues for Brian. The father goes to Paris to save his daughter.

The plot of the film makes the viewer nervous and squeeze into the chair. Particular pleasure comes from watching the performance of Liam Neeson, who plays the main role.

5. Misery

USA, 1990.

horror, thriller, drama.

Duration: 107 minutes.

IMDb: 7.8.



Paul Sheldon is a famous writer who has completed another novel. On his way to Los Angeles, Paul gets caught in a snowstorm and drives off the road. Fortunately, he is saved by former nurse Annie Wilkes, his biggest fan. She takes the writer to her hut, where she takes care of him. At this time, Paul allows her to read an as yet unpublished work. Annie is horrified to learn that her favorite character dies in the end. She keeps Paul captive and forces him to rewrite the narrative.

The film is based on Stephen King's novel Misery and directed by Rob Reiner. It is noteworthy that before this, the director had already filmed another work of the writer - the story “The Body” (it became the film “Stand by Me”). Both films became Hollywood classics and immortalized the director's name.

4. Prisoners

USA, 2013.

thriller, drama, crime, detective.

Duration: 153 minutes.

IMDb: 8.1.



Two girl friends, Anna and Joy, disappear without a trace. Their parents contact the police, and then Detective Loki takes on the case. He finds the only eyewitness - the driver of the van, Alex. He cannot help the investigation because he has an extremely low IQ, so the police let him go. Then Anna's father, Keller, kidnaps Alex to "knock" more evidence out of him.

This film is a very powerful psychological thriller that is bound to strike a chord with the viewer. The impression of “Prisoners” is enhanced by the amazing acting work. Starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

3. 12 Years a Slave

USA, UK, 2013.

drama, biography, history.

Duration: 133 minutes.

IMDb: 8.1.



Solomon Northup is a highly respected violinist in the community. He has a beloved wife and two beautiful children. Suddenly, Solomon is kidnapped by two men. The musician cannot achieve freedom and prove that he is a free African American. Afterwards the hero is sold into slavery under the name Platt. In his new role, Solomon must face all the horrors of captivity. This journey of grief will last for 12 years.

The film is based on real events described by Solomon Northup in his autobiography “12 Years a Slave.” This fact enhances the impact of an already heavy and dark film. For its complex subject matter, as well as brilliant directing and acting, the film was awarded the title “Film of the Year” by a large number of film awards.

2. Fargo/ Fargo

USA, UK, 1995.

thriller, drama, comedy, crime.

Duration: 98 minutes.

IMDb: 8.1.



Jerry Landegaard works at a car dealership and has financial difficulties. His father-in-law is a rich man, and Jerry decides to trick him out of money. To do this, he turns to two bandits. They must kidnap his wife and ask her father for ransom. However, the plan epically collapses, resulting in people dying. And the talented police officer Marge Gunderson takes on this difficult and complicated case.

The film was directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, and this work is called the best in their work. Fargo was included in the US National Registry of Films of Cultural Significance. The film became so popular that a TV series of the same name was filmed based on its plot (although the script for the show is still original). So far, four seasons have been created.

1. Captive of the Caucasus, or New Adventures of Shurik

USSR, 1966.

comedy, adventure, melodrama, musical.

Duration: 82 minutes.

IMDb: 8.4.



Shurik is a philology student who came to the Caucasus to record local folklore. Here he meets the charming Nina, and then falls in love with her. Local residents persuade the young man to take part in an allegedly rigged ritual - kidnapping the bride before the wedding. Shurik is upset when he finds out that the bride is Nina. However, he agrees to help steal the girl.

Of course, the film is very different from other films in this collection. However, speaking about kidnappings in cinema, it is impossible not to mention Leonid Gaidai’s film. “Prisoner of the Caucasus” has long acquired the status of classic Soviet cinema. Excerpts from dialogues became catchphrases, and musical numbers became everyone's favorite hits.

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Perhaps someone will be interested (to remember or “what to see”). Naturally, human preferences are individual. Do not judge strictly.