Trainspotting Movie (1996): Where to watch and stream online

Trainspotting

1996, Movie, 1h 34min

A jolt of adrenaline shot straight to the heart of 1990s British cinema, this darkly funny adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel was a major breakthrough for director Danny Boyle, producer Andrew Macdonald, and screenwriter John Hodge. With live-wire energy and stylistic verve, TRAINSPOTTING bounces across the life and times of Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor), a Scottish heroin addict who, along with his misfit mates, gets high, gets in trouble, gets clean, and gets high again, all in a bid to outrun the banality of modern existence. Kinetically cut to an iconic soundtrack of techno, rock, and Brit-pop, this indie phenomenon chooses life in all its ugly, beautiful, terrifying exhilaration.

Based on a book by Irvine Welsh

Country: United Kingdom

Director:

Cast:

Reviews

Critic Neil Jeffries

rated

If we Brits can make movies this good about subjects this horrific, what chance does Tinseltown have?

Read full review at Empire

Critic Wendy Ide

rated

...manages to be both inarguably of its time, the mid 90s, but also has not dated nearly as badly as most youth culture movies tend to.

Read full review at The Guardian

Klaus Wunderlich

rated

It's good, but that's not all they say.

3 years ago

Critic Marjorie Baumgarten

rated

...observes its subjects with a mordant eye -- an inclusive perspective that permits humor, exhilaration, wit, and hyperbole to mingle with stark realism and dingy morality.

Read full review at The Austin Chronicle

Emma Jørgensen

rated

The fun and fast-paced editing, combined with the witty dialogue and great music, makes the tragedy of the story all the more apparent. It is a creative choice that elevates the storytelling and adds depth and nuance to what could have been a one-sided ...

7 months ago

Tomas Johnsson

rated

En film man aldrig glömmer. En gripande kultklassiker i hårt paket med skottskt omslagspapper. Måste ses!

3 years ago

Frequently asked questions

What is Trainspotting about? Toggle content

In the gritty streets of Edinburgh, four friends navigate the chaotic world of addiction, crime, and fleeting dreams. Centered around Mark Renton, their misadventures oscillate between dark humor and stark reality as they seek thrills while wrestling with harsh consequences. With a pulsating soundtrack and vibrant storytelling, their lives unfold in a whirlwind of highs and lows that expose both the allure and dangers of their lifestyle. As friendships are tested and choices become dire, each character grapples with their own demons while chasing a sense of freedom. This film captures the raw energy of youth caught in a tumultuous existence where escapism often collides with reality.

Where can I stream Trainspotting? Toggle content

You can stream Trainspotting on: The Criterion Channel

What movies are similar to Trainspotting? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Trainspotting include Double Jeopardy, The Usual Suspects, Casino, Pulp Fiction, Fargo, The Talented Mr. Ripley.

When was Trainspotting released in theaters? Toggle content

Trainspotting was released in theaters on July 26, 1996.