Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) guards prisoners on death row in a 1935 Louisiana penitentiary. Although his latest charge, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Ducan), was convicted of savagely killing two young girls, Edgecomb discovers that the massive inmate is a gentle giant who possesses miraculous powers.

Adapted from Stephen King's novel, The Green Mile explores an unusual friendship, the nature of humanity and the presence of God in the most unlikely places.