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Chinatown

Chinatown

You get tough. You get tender. You get close to each other. Maybe you even get close to the truth.

1974130 minRMidcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Director
Roman Polanski
Starring
Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez

Private eye Jake Gittes lives off of the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-World War II Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Chinatown?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Chinatown streaming on Pluto TV (free).

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Highlights

What stands out about Chinatown?

Chinatown earns 7 badges, led by Top 1% of films and Stood the test of time.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Chinatown worth watching?

Chinatown's Midcredits score is the 99th percentile of all films, from 918K ratings across 6 sources. 90% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

99th percentile

Better received than 99% of films

99th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 1970s
Acclaim (how much people like it)98th
Approval (how many liked it)98th

83 /100

98th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 1970s

Critics 92 · Audience 82

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

90% liked it

98th percentile of all films

98th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 1970s
90% rated it 7–1010% rated it 1–6

Critics 98% · Audience 93%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

1 Oscars won · 10 Oscar noms · 19 wins / 23 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Writing, Original Screenplay
  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Actor in a Leading Role

98th percentile

917K ratings across platforms

98th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 1970s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 5% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$6M
Domestic gross$29M
Worldwide gross$29M

Returned 4.9× its budget — 92nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Fans and detractors alike agree Chinatown is a deliberate, meticulously crafted 1930s-set neo-noir with strong performances and a dense, intricate plot, but they diverge on whether its slow-burn restraint is masterful or monotonous.

Fans praised

  • Nicholson's career-best detective work before self-parody
  • Robert Towne's labyrinthine, thematically rich original screenplay
  • John Alonzo's gorgeous 1930s LA period cinematography

Detractors panned

  • Excessively slow, tedious 1970s pacing
  • Underdeveloped secondary characters and shallow mystery depth
  • Strained ending feeling like a sequel hook rather than resolution

What stands out

Acting95

Nicholson's iconic, career-defining detective turn; Dunaway and Huston equally praised

Cinematography95

John Alonzo's lush, sun-baked 1930s LA visuals—praised across camps

Atmosphere90

Masterful period detail and brooding, sun-scorched noir mood

Plot and storyDivisive85

Labyrinthine, thematically rich mystery—yet detractors find it convoluted or saggy

Originality85

Elevates neo-noir formula, though some see it as derivative of 40s classics

CharactersDivisive75

Layered protagonist and tragic Evelyn, but some call supporting cast thin

EndingDivisive60

Infamously bleak, devastating finale—fans call it perfect, detractors find it unearned

PacingDivisive50

Slow-burn deliberateness divisive; multiple fans admit it drags, detractors call it tedious

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Chinatown like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you devastated. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention, room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseMelancholicDread
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Cynical · 1% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its dark material with a somber, unflinching seriousness, never winking at the audience.
The rideThe film builds a steady, suffocating tension that culminates in a devastating final act.
StructureThe story follows a classic detective narrative arc from case to resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Devastated.

The answer rests on this: Devastating · 3% of filmsHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's bleak, unresolved ending leaves a profound sense of loss and injustice.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% (this title) · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

7% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA detective unravels a corruption conspiracy behind a murder, exposing a powerful figure's scheme.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfDeception
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% (this title) · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Deception · 9% of filmsCorruption · 3% of filmsJustice · 13% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film dissects how lies, cover-ups, and institutional corruption poison every layer of society, making true justice impossible.
StanceThe film coolly dissects systemic corruption and the illusion of justice, presenting a world where the powerful always win, without celebrating or moralizing.

The world

Early 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalDomesticStylized realism
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Jerry Goldsmith
Setting1930s Los Angeles during a water rights scandal
MusicGoldsmith's trumpet-led theme evokes a nostalgic yet melancholy Hollywood of the 1930s.

Content guide

Is Chinatown okay for kids?

R

Chinatown is rated R. As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (64/100), sexual content at moderate (53/100), language at moderate (48/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (42/100) and frightening material at intense (66/100). Overall it is heavier than 34% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 20 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland15
  • Brazil12
  • Belgium16
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-16
  • Greece16
  • Hungary18
  • LTN-16
  • MexicoC
  • Netherlands16
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/16
  • ROAP
  • Russia16+
  • Spain16
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 59% of all filmsHeavier than 34% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 43%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 61%
Profanity
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 20%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 53%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 57%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is frightening material and violence. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Chinatown have?

MovieCove's classifier found 4 depicted content warnings in Chinatown: Gore or body horror (moderate), plus 3 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGore or body horror

Cast and crew

Who is in Chinatown?

Cast

Jack Nicholson won the Globe for this film.

Jack Nicholson
as J.J. Gittes
Globe win: Golden Globe — Best Actor in a Motion Picture - DramaTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Faye Dunaway
as Evelyn Mulwray
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Actress in a Leading RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
John Huston
as Noah Cross
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Perry Lopez
as Escobar
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Burt Young
as Curly
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
John Hillerman
as Yelburton
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Darrell Zwerling
as Hollis Mulwray
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Roman Polanski
as Man with Knife
Diane Ladd
as Ida Sessions
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Richard Bakalyan
as Loach
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Chinatown?

Movies like Chinatown include The Two Jakes (1990), Frantic (1988) and The Ghost Writer (2010). Of the 9 closest matches, two are films by Roman Polanski, and several are conspiracy thrillers.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Chinatown?

980 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: conspiracy thriller. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.