Needle poster
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Needle

10.019901h 23mMovieDramaTV Movie

Needle paints a harrowing picture of a Liverpool overrun by drugs, charting a young man's nightmarish descent into intravenous heroin use and AIDS and a police and political leadership incapable of the imagination or courage necessary to respond to the drug problem.

DirectorGillies MacKinnon
WriterJimmy McGovern

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Needle was released on September 12, 1990 but we couldn't find it on any streaming service yet. Rights can change — try again later.

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Cast · Directed by Gillies MacKinnon

SMSean McKee
Sean McKee
Danny
EBEmma Bird
Emma Bird
Paula
PPPete Postlethwaite
Pete Postlethwaite
Paula's Father
AK
Anna Keaveney
Council Leader
JBJohn Bennett
John Bennett
Chief Constable
PBPaul Barber
Paul Barber
Drugs Counsellor
GM
Gary Mavers
John
JAJake Abraham
Jake Abraham
Greg
AN
Andrew Naylor
Degsy
PF
Philip Foster
Rollo
JS
John Shackley
Stew
SWStephen Walters
Stephen Walters
Viaduct Boy

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More from Emma Bird · Co-star actress

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More from Gillies MacKinnon · Director

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Needle — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams Needle?

Needle isn't streaming anywhere in United States yet.

Is Needle on Netflix?

No, Needle is not on Netflix in United States as of September 2026.

Is Needle on Amazon Prime Video?

No, Needle isn't on Amazon Prime Video in United States right now.

Where can I watch Needle for free?

Needle isn't streaming in United States yet, so there's no way to watch it free at the moment.

What is the OTT release date for Needle?

Needle hasn't started streaming in United States yet. Based on the typical 6–8 week theatrical-to-streaming window, we estimate it will arrive around October 31, 1990. This is a prediction, not a confirmed date.