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Strangers on a Train

1951·Movie
1h 41min·PG

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Strangers on a Train fingerprint

Stunning style, high energy, emotionally cool.

Energy

Nerve-racking and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension10
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Catharsis4
  • Melancholy3
  • Hopefulness3

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Dark Humor3
  • Physical Comedy1

World

Crime, the mind, and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability8

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

  • Direction10
  • Intrigue10
  • Acting9

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

  • Cinematography10
  • Editing9
  • Music Composition9

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

It starts with a shriek of a train whistle... and ends with shrieking excitement!

A charming psychopath tries to coerce a tennis star into his theory that two strangers can commit the perfect crime by exchanging murders—each killing the other’s most-hated person.
Classic Psychological ThrillerHitchcock MasterpieceHigh TensionMoral CorruptionCrime & SuspenseIntricate PlotExcellent CinematographyCharacter StudyFatal ObsessionTaut Pacing

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Strangers on a Train

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Strangers on a Train legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Strangers on a Train worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87/100 (IMDb 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes 98%, and Metacritic 88). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Strangers on a Train rated?

PGViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Strangers on a Train?

1 h 41 min

Strangers on a Train runs 1 h 41 min.

Is Strangers on a Train based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Strangers on a Train?

Critics93
Audiences84

Not quite. Critics rate Strangers on a Train higher (93) than audiences (84). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Strangers on a Train a box office hit?

Budget$1 million
Box office$7 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $1 million to make and earned $7 million worldwide, 5.8 times its budget.

What language is Strangers on a Train in?

EnglishFrench

It was made in English, with some French. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Strangers on a Train?

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GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Strangers on a Train in 52 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Strangers on a Train use?

Homoerotic SubtextDefiant to the EndAdaptational UglinessPunch-Clock VillainUndercrankGetting Crap Past the RadarThe Perfect CrimeIdentical StrangerReally Gets AroundThrew My Bike on the RoofIdle RichAlmost Dead Guyand 67 more

TV Tropes lists 79 storytelling tropes for Strangers on a Train, including Homoerotic Subtext, Defiant to the End, Adaptational Ugliness.