Movies like Animal Factory

The Shawshank Redemption is a classic film that dives into the lives of two prison inmates who find solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency. Fans of Animal Factory will appreciate the film's profound character development and the hope that blossoms in the most despairing of circumstances.

American History X is a powerful film about transformation and redemption, focusing on a former neo-nazi and his time in prison. Like Animal Factory, it offers a stark look at the influence of race, violence, and mentorship in the correctional system, compelling viewers to consider the cycle of hate and the potential for change.

Bronson follows the life of Britain's most violent prisoner and his journey through the penal system. Its central themes revolve around the nature of violence and the impact of institutional life on the individual, making it a resonant choice for viewers who were gripped by Animal Factory's tension and character study.

American Me tells the tale of a Mexican-American mafia kingpin who reflects on his life from youth to his time in the penal system. It shares the raw, unflinching look at prison life with Animal Factory, and showcases the long-term effects of incarceration on an individual's psyche and social fabric.

Although it's a French film, A Prophet captures the same essence of prison transformation and survival as Animal Factory. It follows the story of a young Arab man who rises in the inmate hierarchy, echoing the themes of mentorship and the forging of identity within the confines of a penal institution.