Ransom is a 1996 American action thriller film directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Richard Price and Alexander Ignon. The film stars Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, Gary Sinise, Delroy Lindo, Lili Taylor, Brawley Nolte, Liev Schreiber, Donnie Wahlberg and Evan Handler. The plot follows the kidnapping of the son of millionaire Tom Mullen (Gibson), and his subsequent struggle to get him back alive. Ransom was produced by Touchstone Pictures and Imagine Entertainment and released on November 8, 1996 by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.