Ernest Goes to Jail
1990, English. Directed by John Cherry.
Guilty of Maximum Fun in the First Degree!
Bumbling bank janitor Ernest P. Worrell is assigned to jury duty, and soon finds himself in trouble when he is covertly switched with a look-a-like crime boss. Ernest must escape from jail to expose the mix-up.
- Runtime
- 1h 21m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
Start now and it ends at ….
Snoozefest
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5.0/10 from 186 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch Ernest Goes to Jail
Ernest Goes to Jail isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it or buy it online.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
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Fandango At HomeAvailability in India as of 12 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Part of a series
Ernest: watch order
Cast & crew
- John CherryDirector
- Jim VarneyErnest P. Worrell / Felix Nash
- Gailard SartainChuck
- Bill ByrgeBobby
- Barbara TysonCharlotte Sparrow
- Barry ScottRubin Bartlett
- Randall 'Tex' CobbLyle
- Dan LeegantOscar Pendlesmythe
- Charles NapierWarden
- Jim ConradEddie
- Jackie WelchJudge
- Melanie WheelerProsecutor
- Jeffrey Buckner FordDefense Attorney
Details
- Released
- 6 April 1990
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Charlie Cohen
- Box office
- $25M
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
Watch before Ernest Goes to Jail
In release order. The films it follows, and anything it builds on.
After Ernest Goes to Jail
What comes next in the series.
Ernest Scared Stupid
1991 · 5.4/10
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Ernest Rides Again
1993 · 4.4/10
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Ernest Goes to School
1994 · 4.1/10
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Slam Dunk Ernest
1995 · 4.4/10
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Ernest Goes to Africa
1997 · 4.2/10
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Ernest in the Army
1998 · 4.0/10
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2001 · 6.3/10
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1980 · 6.5/10
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Ernest Goes to Jail: quick answers
What should I watch before Ernest Goes to Jail?
Watch Ernest Goes to Camp (1987) and Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) first.
What comes after Ernest Goes to Jail?
Next in the series: Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), Ernest Rides Again (1993), and Ernest Goes to School (1994).
Is Ernest Goes to Jail worth watching?
Our verdict is Snoozefest: Your time is worth more. It scores 5.0/10 from 186 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is Ernest Goes to Jail?
Ernest Goes to Jail runs 81 minutes (1h 21m).
Does Ernest Goes to Jail have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Ernest Goes to Jail. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Ernest Goes to Jail parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
Ernest Goes to Jail is rated PG in India. That rating means it is generally fine for children.
Which OTT platform is Ernest Goes to Jail on?
Ernest Goes to Jail isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can rent it or buy it online. (Checked 12 November 2026.)
What movies are like Ernest Goes to Jail?
If you liked Ernest Goes to Jail, try Bandits, Stir Crazy, How to Rob a Bank.
Who directed Ernest Goes to Jail?
Ernest Goes to Jail (1990) was directed by John Cherry and stars Jim Varney, Gailard Sartain, Bill Byrge.