Trainspotting
Directed by Danny Boyle · 1996 ·
Is Trainspotting worth watching?
Yes. Trainspotting (1996) earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audiences (96%) responded more warmly than critics (89%). See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as Trainspotting: La Vida en el Abismo Trainspotting - Neue Helden Trainspotting: Sem Limites トレインスポッティング 트레인스포팅 猜火车 猜火車 แก๊งเมาแหลก พันธุ์แหกกฎ
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists MUBI in Turkey. Check local listings for your region.
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home
Where to watch Trainspotting by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Japan | Netflix, U-NEXT |
| Turkey | MUBI |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (89/100).
- Audiences widely enjoyed it (96%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (83/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.2/5).
- IMDb users score it 8.1/10.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, crime pick
- Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Trainspotting worth watching?
Yes — Trainspotting earns an 84% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, crime pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
Boyle's kinetic adaptation of Irvine Welsh became the defining British cult film of the 1990s.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Audiences (96%) responded more warmly than critics (89%).
What is Trainspotting about?
Heroin addicts in Edinburgh navigate friendship, betrayal, and survival in a punk-inflected portrait of wasted youth and fleeting joy.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Trainspotting (1996) Review: Addiction at Full Volume
★★★★½
Trainspotting is Danny Boyle's electric, blackly funny film of Irvine Welsh's novel about Edinburgh heroin users, and it still feels dangerous three decades on.
Yes. It is a landmark of 1990s British cinema, thrilling and horrifying at once, for adults who can handle frank drug use and very dark comedy.
Trainspotting stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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Trainspotting: frequently asked questions
Is Trainspotting worth watching?
Yes. Trainspotting (1996) has a Celluloid Score of 84%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Trainspotting?
In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home. Elsewhere: Netflix, U-NEXT in Japan; MUBI in Turkey. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Trainspotting?
Trainspotting runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
What is Trainspotting rated?
Trainspotting is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK, R 18+ in Australia, 18A in Canada and 18 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Trainspotting?
Trainspotting is directed by Danny Boyle and stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller.
What is the Metascore for Trainspotting?
Metacritic's Metascore for Trainspotting is 83 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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