Ransom is a thriller film released in 1996, starring Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, and Gary Sinise and directed by Ron Howard.

The original idea for the story was from an episode of "The United States Steel Hour" named "Fearful Decision" that aired in 1954. It was then remade into the feature length film Ransom! (1956) written by Richard Maibaum and Cyril Hume starring Glenn Ford, Donna Reed and Leslie Nielsen. The film also was influenced by King's Ransom, a police procedural novel by Ed McBain which was, in turn, the basis for Akira Kurosawa's 1963 film High and Low.

Tom Mullen (Mel Gibson), a wealthy airline founder, experiences the trauma of having his son, Sean, kidnapped and held for ransom by a gang of criminals. The criminals are led by the corrupt NYPD Detective Jimmy Shaker (Gary Sinise), who knew about the conniving business deal that Tom Mullen was involved with. He uses this deal to pressure Tom for ransom. They obtain Mullen's son through Shaker's girlfriend, Maris Conner (Lili Taylor), who has worked at the Mullen home. Instead of paying the $2 million ransom, Tom offers the $2 million on a TV show to whoever can kill the villains and rescue his son. He does this because he realizes that the chances of having Sean returned are very low, in large part due to mistakes made by the FBI. The $2 million-dollar ransom brings out all sorts of crackpots and causes Jimmy to secretly contact Tom's wife in attempt to have Tom change his mind. In retaliation, Tom raises the reward to $4 million which puts more pressure on Jimmy Shaker to keep the kidnappers in line. Jimmy ends up betraying and shooting dead his fellow kidnappers and pretends to rescue Sean. His girlfriend, who has witnessed this, shoots him near the left shoulder in revenge, forcing him to retaliate and kill her. Jimmy claims the reward from Tom. Sean - although blindfolded with duct tape for the duration of the kidnapping - recognizes the corrupt cop Jimmy as a kidnapper and this is further reinforced by Tom recognizing a phrase that Jimmy uses, ("shouldn't be a problem"). Jimmy realizes that his ruse is up when handed the check for the reward in Tom's house (which he wanted early). Tom offers to wire the money and insists it must be done in the bank not by phone. Jimmy then escorts Tom to the bank. While en-route to the bank Tom manages to inform the FBI lead agent (Agent Lonnie Hawkins) involved that he has the kidnapper with him. At the bank Shaker's walkie talkie broadcasts an APB for Shaker however his money is successfully wired through. On exiting the bank some beat cops attempt to detain Shaker and he shoots them. Tom attacks Shaker and subdues him with vicious punches until he passes out. However Shaker manages to recover, escapes and finally ends up being thrown through a shop window by the pursuing Tom. In the shop Tom manges to grab Shakers official sidearm but has to drop it when ordered to by the police. He lowers the gun but Shaker pulls out his hidden gun and attempts to shoot Tom who then shoots him several times, killing Shaker. Fortunately the Agent Lonnie Hawkins witnesses this final act of Shaker's and protects Tom from retaliatory action by the police.

A sub-plot revolves around one of the kidnappers soft hearted support of the victim, Jimmy Shakers girlfriend's relationship with Jimmy and her viciousness towards the victim.