Brief Encounter
Directed by David Lean
Returning home from a shopping trip to a nearby town, bored suburban housewife Laura Jesson is thrown by happenstance into an acquaintance with virtuous doctor Alec Harvey. Their casual friendship soon develops during their weekly visits into something more emotionally fulfilling than either expected, and they must wrestle with the potential havoc their deepening relationship would have on their lives and the lives of those they love.
Watch trailerWhere to watch in 🇺🇸 United States
Subscription
Top cast
Celia Johnson
Laura Jesson
Trevor Howard
Dr. Alec Harvey
Stanley Holloway
Albert Godby
Joyce Carey
Myrtle Bagot
Cyril Raymond
Fred Jesson
Everley Gregg
Dolly Messiter
Marjorie Mars
Mary Norton
Margaret Barton
Tea Room Assistant Beryl Walters
Wilfred Babbage
Policeman at War Memorial (uncredited)
Alfie Bass
Waiter at the Royal (uncredited)
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Brief Encounter online?
As of September 20, 2026, Brief Encounter is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, FlixFling, HBO Max, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, Plex, and Plex Channel in United States. Use the country selector above to check availability in other regions — streaming rights are licensed per country, so catalogues differ.
Is Brief Encounter on Netflix?
No — Brief Encounter is not currently on Netflix in any of the countries we track. In United States it streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, FlixFling, HBO Max, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, Plex, and Plex Channel instead.
Can I rent or buy Brief Encounter online?
Yes. In United States, Brief Encounter can be rented on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, and FlixFling and purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, and FlixFling.
In which countries can I stream Brief Encounter?
As of September 20, 2026, Brief Encounter is included with a streaming subscription (or free with ads) in Brazil, Canada, Spain, and United States, among the countries we track.
Streaming availability last checked on September 20, 2026. Catalogues change frequently — data from TMDB and JustWatch.
