Ernest Goes to Jail poster
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Ernest Goes to Jail

5.019901h 21mPGMovieComedyFamilyCrime

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.

DirectorJohn Cherry
WriterCharlie Cohen
ProducersStacy Williams·Martin Erlichman

Where to watch

Availability shown for Canada · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by John Cherry

JVJim Varney
Jim Varney
Ernest P. Worrell
GSGailard Sartain
Gailard Sartain
Chuck
BBBill Byrge
Bill Byrge
Bobby
BTBarbara Tyson
Barbara Tyson
Charlotte Sparrow
BS
Barry Scott
Rubin Bartlett
RCRandall 'Tex' Cobb
Randall 'Tex' Cobb
Lyle
DL
Dan Leegant
Oscar Pendlesmythe
CNCharles Napier
Charles Napier
Warden
JWJackie Welch
Jackie Welch
Judge
CL
Charlie Lamb
Another Con
JCJim Conrad
Jim Conrad
Eddie
JFJeffrey Buckner Ford
Jeffrey Buckner Ford
Defense Attorney

More from Jim Varney · Lead actor

The Simpsons
The Simpsons
1989 · 8.0
Alice
Alice
1976 · 7.0
Toy Story
Toy Story
1995 · 8.0
Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2
1999 · 7.6
Duckman
Duckman
1994 · 7.2
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
2001 · 7.0
Roseanne
Roseanne
1988 · 6.8
Operation Petticoat
Operation Petticoat
1977 · 6.9
America 2-Night
America 2-Night
1978 · 8.3
The Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies
1993 · 6.3
See all fromJim Varney

More from Gailard Sartain · Co-star actor

The Simpsons
The Simpsons
1989 · 8.0
King of the Hill
King of the Hill
1997 · 7.4
Chicago Hope
Chicago Hope
1994 · 7.2
The Pretender
The Pretender
1996 · 7.4
Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993 · 7.0
Hee Haw
Hee Haw
1969 · 7.6
Arli$$
Arli$$
1996 · 6.9
The Outsiders
The Outsiders
1983 · 7.2
Mississippi Burning
Mississippi Burning
1988 · 7.7
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
1992 · 5.4
See all fromGailard Sartain

More from John Cherry · Director

Ernest Scared Stupid
Ernest Scared Stupid
1991 · 5.4
Ernest Goes to Camp
Ernest Goes to Camp
1987 · 5.3
Ernest in the Army
Ernest in the Army
1998 · 3.9
Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration
Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration
1990 · 6.0
Ernest Saves Christmas
Ernest Saves Christmas
1988 · 5.4
Slam Dunk Ernest
Slam Dunk Ernest
1995 · 4.4
Ernest Rides Again
Ernest Rides Again
1993 · 4.4
Ernest Goes to Africa
Ernest Goes to Africa
1997 · 4.2
Pirates of the Plain
Pirates of the Plain
1999 · 5.3
Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain
Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain
1989 · 5.1
See all fromJohn Cherry

More like this

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2001 · 6.3
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
1994 · 6.5
The Ladykillers
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2004 · 6.1
Mad Money
Mad Money
2008 · 6.5
Blue Streak
Blue Streak
1999 · 6.5
Big Momma's House
Big Momma's House
2000 · 5.8
Tough Guys
Tough Guys
1986 · 6.0
Family Plot
Family Plot
1976 · 6.8
Fletch
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1985 · 6.8
The Ladykillers
The Ladykillers
1955 · 7.3
Three Fugitives
Three Fugitives
1989 · 6.7
Nothing to Lose
Nothing to Lose
1997 · 6.6

Ernest Goes to Jail — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Ernest Goes to Jail?

Ernest Goes to Jail isn't on any subscription service in Canada right now, but you can rent or buy it on Apple TV Store, CosmoGo and Amazon Video. It's not on Netflix.

Is Ernest Goes to Jail on Netflix?

No, Ernest Goes to Jail is not on Netflix in Canada as of September 2026. You can rent or buy it on Apple TV Store and CosmoGo.

Is Ernest Goes to Jail on Amazon Prime Video?

Ernest Goes to Jail isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in Canada, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch Ernest Goes to Jail for free?

Ernest Goes to Jail isn't available free in Canada; you can only rent or buy it on Apple TV Store and CosmoGo.

Is there a sequel to Ernest Goes to Jail?

Yes — Ernest Goes to Jail is followed by Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) in the Ernest Collection.

Is there a prequel to Ernest Goes to Jail?

Yes — Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) comes before Ernest Goes to Jail in the Ernest Collection.

Is Ernest Goes to Jail part of a trilogy?

No — Ernest Goes to Jail is part of the Ernest Collection, which has 9 films.

How many movies are in the Ernest Collection?

There are 9 films in the Ernest Collection: Ernest Goes to Camp (1987), Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), Ernest Goes to Jail (1990), Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), Ernest Rides Again (1993), Ernest Goes to School (1994), Slam Dunk Ernest (1995), Ernest Goes to Africa (1997) and Ernest in the Army (1998).