Trainspotting (1996): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Trainspotting is a 1996 crime drama directed by Danny Boyle, starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner and Jonny Lee Miller. It is partly based on Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $17 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Danny Boyle
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Miramax Films
- Based on
- Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Trainspotting About?
The premise of Trainspotting without spoilers, adapted from Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A heroin addict named Mark Renton struggles with addiction and relapse in this gritty drama. Living in Edinburgh and later London, he navigates a chaotic world alongside his friends, including the volatile Begbie and the cunning Sick Boy. As Mark attempts to maintain sobriety, he finds himself entangled in a cycle of bad decisions and increasingly desperate situations, confronting the consequences of his past actions.
Trainspotting Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- filthy toilet
- scotland
- scottish
- voice over narration
- toilet
- dark comedy
- 1990s
- scottish accent
- edinburgh scotland
- male nudity
- drugs
- drug culture
+38 more Show fewer
- male frontal nudity
- heroin
- female nudity
- end credits roll call
- scotsman
- british
- sex tape
- self narration
- female frontal nudity
- sexual humor
- female rear nudity
- female full frontal nudity
- male full frontal nudity
- heroin addict
- covered in feces
- female pubic hair
- drug addiction
- one word title
- cult film
- schoolgirl
- bedroom
- drug
- british comedy
- f word
- baby
- blood
- profanity
- swearing
- dog
- europe
- england
- cleavage
- videotape
- vcr
- underage sex
- cult classic
- abbey road album cover recreation
- drug dealer
Trainspotting Cast
Ewan McGregor leads the cast, with Ewen Bremner and Jonny Lee Miller. Directed by Danny Boyle; 5 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Danny Boyle
Also Starring in Trainspotting
· 1 moreMore from Danny Boyle
More films directed by Danny Boyle, best-rated first: Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, Steve Jobs and 28 Days Later....
Trainspotting Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Trainspotting 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.
-
IMDb 8.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 83 Metascore
User score 8.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 80% User score
See on TMDB
Trainspotting Plot Summary
What happens in Trainspotting from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) and Spud (Ewen Bremner) sprinting down Princes Street, chased by security guards. Renton reflects on his choices, asserting that while most people “choose life” with its conventional pursuits—children, financial security, and material possessions—he has opted for the chaotic existence of a heroin addict. The narrative introduces his circle of friends, which includes the unscrupulous Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), the ambitious athlete Tommy (Kevin McKidd), the naïve but well-meaning Spud, and the aggressive sociopath Begbie (Robert Carlyle). All of them share a penchant for heroin, often congregating at the apartment of their drug dealer, “Mother Superior” Swanney (Peter Mullan).
Full summary
The whole story of Trainspotting, scene by scene
Trainspotting Box Office
Trainspotting grossed $17 million worldwide. $16.5 million came from the US and Canada and $481,346 (3%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$17M
- US & Canada
- $16.5M
- International
- $481.3K
Trainspotting Awards & Nominations
Trainspotting won 1 award from 4 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1996, with 1 win from 2 nominations.
1 win4 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 1997 1 nomination- Nominated Best Foreign Film
-
Oscars 1997 1 nomination- Nominated Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published)
-
BAFTA 1996 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Adapted Screenplay
- Nominated Outstanding British Film
Trainspotting Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 2 trailers and 4 clips.
- Trailer Official UK Re-release Trailer
- Clip Change of Plans
- Clip Junkie Limbo
- Clip Lust for Life
How Well Do You Know Trainspotting?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main character in 'Trainspotting'?
Cars in Trainspotting
15 cars on screen, including the 1984 Dennis Dorchester and the 1987 Ford Sierra MkII.
-
1984 Dennis Dorchester Important role -
1987 Ford Sierra MkII Minor role -
1987 LTI FX4S Minor role -
1989 Nissan Micra Minor role
Trainspotting Also Known As
25 alternative titles, including “迷幻列车” and “定位的火车”.
- Also known as
-
- 迷幻列车
- 定位的火车
- Trainspotting: Sin límites
- Trainspotting - Din Viata Scapa Cine Poate
- Trejnspoting
- Trainspotting: La vida en el abismo
- 트레인스포팅
- แก๊งเมาแหลก พันธุ์แหกกฎ
- Sem Limites
- Trainspotting - Neue Helden
- На игле
- На голці
+13 more Show fewer
- 猜火车
- トレインスポッティング
- טריינספוטינג
- Ferrovipathes
- Trainspotting: Sem Limites
- Трейнспотинг
- Observarea trenurilor
- 猜火車
- Traukinių žymėjimas
- 迷幻列車
- Трејнспотинг
- Vilcienvakte, ნემსზე
- Lối Sống Trụy Lạc
Seen Trainspotting?
Movies Like Trainspotting
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including T2 Trainspotting, Train Station Pickups and 16 Years of Alcohol.
Trainspotting FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Trainspotting, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Trainspotting?
Trainspotting runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Trainspotting released?
Trainspotting was released on July 19, 1996.
Who directed Trainspotting?
Trainspotting was directed by Danny Boyle.
More films by Danny Boyle Who is in the cast of Trainspotting?
Trainspotting stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner and Jonny Lee Miller, among 5 credited actors.
How much did Trainspotting make at the box office?
Trainspotting grossed $17 million worldwide ($16.5 million domestic, $481,346 international).
How is Trainspotting rated?
Trainspotting has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 83 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.
Is Trainspotting based on a book?
Yes. Trainspotting is partly adapted from Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh.
What awards did Trainspotting win?
Trainspotting won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA 1996.
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