The Fugitive (1993)
Wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to death, Richard Kimble escapes from the law in an attempt to find the real killer and clear his name.
Details
Budget
$44,000,000
Rating
8/10 (4342 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
About The Fugitive
The 1993 thriller "The Fugitive" follows Dr. Richard Kimble, who is wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder. After escaping custody, Kimble races against time to uncover the real killer and clear his name, all while being pursued by U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard.
The film is known for its intense chase sequences and the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Kimble and Gerard. It blends action, thriller, and drama elements, using themes of betrayal, conspiracy, and a man on the run. Set partly in Chicago, Illinois, the plot features Kimble's efforts to evade capture while investigating the crime, leading to discoveries about the broader conspiracy surrounding his case.
"The Fugitive" earned a strong critical reception, with an 8.0 user rating on TMDB and high scores from Rotten Tomatoes (96%) and Metacritic (87/100). The movie was a box office success, making $369 million globally against a $40 million budget. It remains a notable entry in 90s action-thrillers, adapted from the earlier television series.
Why you might be searching for The Fugitive
People often search for "The Fugitive" because of Harrison Ford's role as the wrongfully accused Dr. Richard Kimble and Tommy Lee Jones's performance as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard. The intense bus and train wreck sequence, followed by Kimble's jump from a dam, are particularly memorable and frequently referenced. The film's core premise of a doctor trying to prove his innocence while being hunted by the law is a distinguishing detail.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer called "The Fugitive" a top-tier crime thriller, highlighting the intense initial 40 minutes with the bus and train wrecks, and the dam sequence, before transitioning into an intelligent cat-and-mouse chase as Kimble searches for the truth.
Read the full reviewAnother review mentions Harrison Ford as Dr. Kimble, an acclaimed surgeon suddenly in a prison van, and describes his escape after a transport mishap, leading to the tenacious pursuit by U.S. Marshal Gerard.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Fugitive" for free with ads on [YouTube Free](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-fugitive/8303/where-to-watch/). It's also available on TNT, TBS, and tru TV, and you can rent or buy it on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Spectrum On Demand. As of October 2026, it is not available on Netflix.
No, the 1993 film "The Fugitive" is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of the 1960s TV series, which was loosely inspired by the trial of Sam Sheppard.
In the end of "The Fugitive," Dr. Richard Kimble uncovers that his friend, Dr. Charles Nichols, is the real villain. Nichols killed Dr. Alec Lentz and orchestrated the cover-up of Provasic's harmful side effects for profit and a directorship at Devlin-MacGregor. Kimble confronts Nichols, leading to a fight, during which Nichols tries to shoot U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard. Kimble saves Gerard, leading to Nichols's and Fredrick Sykes's arrests, finally clearing Kimble's name.
Many critics consider "The Fugitive" a highly engaging and intense thriller. Roger Ebert called it "operatic" and Desson Howe praised its "pure energy." The film holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus describing it as a "model of taut and efficient formula filmmaking" featuring "Harrison Ford at his frantic best."