Oz (1997)

Synopsis

The daily lives of prisoners in Emerald City, an experimental unit of the Oswald Maximum Security Prison where ingroups - Muslims, Latinos, Italians, Aryans - stick close to their mutual friends and terrorize their mutual enemies.

Watch the trailer

Where to watch

Stream

• HBO Max Amazon Channel
• HBO Max

Rent

• Amazon Video

Buy

• Amazon Video
• Apple TV Store
• Google Play Movies
• Fandango At Home

Streaming availability via JustWatch

Cast

• Lee Tergesen as Tobias Beecher
• Harold Perrineau as Augustus Hill
• Dean Winters as Ryan O'Reily
• Eamonn Walker as Kareem Saïd
• Ernie Hudson as Leo Glynn
• Terry Kinney as Tim McManus
• Rita Moreno as Sister Peter Marie Reimondo
• J.K. Simmons as Vernon Schillinger
• Kirk Acevedo as Miguel Alvarez
• Craig muMs Grant as Poet

If you liked Oz, try

• Prison Break
• Gotham
• Animal Kingdom
• Hannibal
• Mayor of Kingstown
• Mr. Robot
• Snowfall
• I Will Find You

BingeNext's take

If you’re drawn to gritty crime dramas that don’t shy away from the harsh realities of prison life, Oz is a gripping choice. Set in Emerald City, a unique unit within a maximum security prison, it explores the intense daily struggles among prisoners who band together by their backgrounds, creating a tense atmosphere filled with alliances and rivalries. With six seasons and 56 episodes, the show offers plenty of time to get deeply invested in its complex characters, played by a strong cast including Lee Tergesen and Harold Perrineau. Watching Oz feels like stepping into a raw and unfiltered world where every moment is charged with tension, making it a compelling watch for anyone who appreciates character-driven stories with a dark edge. If you’ve enjoyed shows like Prison Break or Mayor of Kingstown, this one will likely pull you in with its intense drama and layered storytelling.