Train Dreams

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Train Dreams

PG-13

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1h 42m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

95%

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200 Reviews

90%

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50+ Verified Ratings

Based on the beloved novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Golden Globe-nominee Joel Edgerton), whose life unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America. Orphaned at a young age, Robert grows into adulthood among the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest, where he helps expand the nation's railroad empire alongside men as unforgettable as the landscapes they inhabit. After a tender courtship, he marries Gladys (Academy Award-nominee Felicity Jones) and they build a home together, though his work often takes him far from her and their young daughter. When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled.

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Critics Consensus

A gorgeous meditation on America, ably shouldered by one of Joel Edgerton's very best performances, Train Dreams takes on mythic proportions while maintaining an intimate emotional delicacy.

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Audience Says

Train Dreams travels with deliberate tranquility through the tapestry of the Pacific Northwest, and ultimately delivers a testament to resilience and the enduring power of family.

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John Nugent

Empire Magazine

Dec 2

4/5

Haunting, serenely composed and beautiful, this is an elegy for a life and a country that America used to be. 

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Nov 26

4/5

Bentley renders Idaho and this way of life around the turn of the 20th century in such a mystical and mysterious way, it almost seems like science fiction.

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Rebecca Onion

Slate

Nov 24

Beautiful, moving, and thoughtful.

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Sarah Marrs

Lainey Gossip

8h

Train Dreams is about the life that comes after dreams die.

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Ruben Peralta Rigaud

Cocalecas

18h

Few films manage to capture the beauty of the ordinary without betraying its harshness. This one does. Train Dreams breathes, it hurts, it comforts. [Full review in Spanish]

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

1d

5/10

It evokes a certain beauty in the naturalistic atmospheres that take advantage of Joel Edgerton's understated presence, but sometimes I get the feeling that as a drama isn't going anywhere in particular and gets lost in the woods. [Full review in Spanish]

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AK

Dec 1

It was a beautiful story, well filmed and Joel Edgerton and the entire cast was great.

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Melissa

Nov 30

Visually beautiful, perfect performances, epic timeless story

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Mr. New movies bore me

Nov 22

An absolutely amazing movie! This man, Robert Grainer is a clear example of what Love, Compassion, Perseverance should be! He represents every working man that has walked this earth! Amazing movie, and thats coming from someone who doesnt watch anything nowdays because nothing is as real as these type of films!

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asq

Nov 18

Best film of 2025 and I see a lot of films

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Jeff

Nov 17

Incredibly beautiful.

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Terry S

Nov 16

Incredibly saccharine & formulaic.

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Clint Bentley

Director

Joel Edgerton

Robert Grainier

Clifton Collins Jr.

Boomer

Felicity Jones

Gladys Grainier

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Fu Sheng

John Patrick Lowrie

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Train Dreams: Trailer 1

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Train Dreams: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

Based on the beloved novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Golden Globe-nominee Joel Edgerton), whose life unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America. Orphaned at a young age, Robert grows into adulthood among the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest, where he helps expand the nation's railroad empire alongside men as unforgettable as the landscapes they inhabit. After a tender courtship, he marries Gladys (Academy Award-nominee Felicity Jones) and they build a home together, though his work often takes him far from her and their young daughter. When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled.

Director: Clint Bentley
Producer: Michael Heimler, Will Janowitz, Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlaifer, Teddy Schwarzman
Screenwriter: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Black Bear, Kamala Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence and Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2025
Runtime: 1h 42m

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