Shortly after Boyle finished school, he began his sucessful career at the Joint Stocking Theatre Company before moving on to the Royle Court Theatre in 1982. Here, he directed Genius by Howard Brenton and Saved by Edward Bond.
In 1980, Boyle began working in television as a producer. A few of the shows he produced are Arise and Go Now, Not Even God is Wise Enough, and For the Greater Good.
Boyle's first movie he directed was titled Shallow Graves and was the most commercially successful British film of 1995. This movie led to the filming of Transpotting, a very famous work from Boyle. After moving to Hollywood, Boyle declined an offer to direct the fourth Alien and began working on 28 Days Later, which turned out to be his most famous film to date. In 2001, between filming The Beach and 28 Days Later, Boyle directed two TV movies known as Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise and Strumpet. In 2008, Boyle directed Slumdog Millionaire which won 13 award, 9 of which were Best Director awards. Boyle has obtain various award for every major film he has directed.