Chinatown

Play trailer

Chinatown

R

Released Jun 20, 1974

2h 11m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

143 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband's activities, he believes it's a routine infidelity case. Jake's investigation soon becomes anything but routine when he meets the real Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and realizes he was hired by an imposter. Mr. Mulwray's sudden death sets Gittes on a tangled trail of corruption, deceit and sinister family secrets as Evelyn's father (John Huston) becomes a suspect in the case.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

As bruised and cynical as the decade that produced it, this noir classic benefits from Robert Towne's brilliant screenplay, director Roman Polanski's steady hand, and wonderful performances from Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.

Read Critics Reviews

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Among its myriad alluring – and lurid – contradictions, Chinatown is overtly stylish yet understated, depicting inveterate moral decay and corruption so matter-of-factly that Huston’s emphatic refusal to accept any blame... makes your skin crawl.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 12, 2024

Full Review

Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

In its total recapturing of a past, in its plot, its vivid characterizations, its carefully calculated and accelerating pace, its whole demonstration of a medium mastered, Chinatown reminds you again that motion pictures are larger, not smaller than life.

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

The film, set in the thirties, from a script by Robert Towne, is wickedly skillful, funny, and socially alert.

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Martin Carr

martincarr.co.uk

Chinatown hits 50 this year and this Jack Nicholson film noir has lost none of its potency. Featuring the legendary John Huston alongside Faye Dunaway, this Oscar winning story from Robert Towne is still essential viewing.

Jul 29, 2024

Full Review

Adrian Turner

Radio Times

The result was acrimony behind the scenes and genius on the screen in a masterpiece that repays any number of viewings.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 1, 2024

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

One of the greatest movies of the 20th century was Roman Polanski’s 1974 film noir with the darkest twist imaginable (50th anniversary)

Rated: 5/5

Jun 27, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Logan E

Perfect film noir, and surprisingly funny at times. You feel like you are solving the mystery right alongside Mr. Grittes. Every detail is important, and nothing is too spelled out for the audience. I'd like to rewatch it to see if I missed anything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Stoner J

Fantastic noir flick. Most early 70s movies I’ve seen seem to be filmed and produced strangely making it hard to follow and annoy but Chinatown, despite a complicated plot, is great

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Successful crime-drama movie in 2 hours and 11 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Jack Nicholson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

Jamie K

The End is so suprising and good. It's a Classic. And was verry well. Have fun by watching the movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm not a fan of it... anyways, a nice one time watch

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Yang Y

A movie that is ass in quality

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Roman Polanski

Director

Jack Nicholson

J. J. (Jake) Gittes

Faye Dunaway

Evelyn Cross Mulwray

John Huston

Noah Cross

Perry Lopez

Lt. Lou Escobar

John Hillerman

Russ Yelburton

Chinatown: Official Clip - It's Chinatown

1:14

Chinatown: Official Clip - My Sister, My Daughter

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - A Respectable Man

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - Capable of Anything

1:23

Chinatown: Official Clip - Jake Likes His Nose

1:01

Chinatown: Official Clip - Nosy Fella

0:43

Chinatown: Official Clip - Evelyn's Last Stand

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - Find the Girl

1:53

Chinatown: Official Clip - Screwing Like a Chinaman

1:27

View more videos

Hustle

50%

47%

Hustle

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hustle

The Godfather

97%

98%

The Godfather

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Godfather

The Godfather, Part II

96%

97%

The Godfather, Part II

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Godfather, Part II

Internal Affairs

79%

58%

Internal Affairs

Watchlist

The Untouchables

83%

89%

The Untouchables

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Untouchables

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Know Your Critic: Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief at Baltimore Magazine

William H. Macy’s Five Favorite Films

Scoot McNairy’s Five Favorite Films

View more photos

Synopsis

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband's activities, he believes it's a routine infidelity case. Jake's investigation soon becomes anything but routine when he meets the real Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and realizes he was hired by an imposter. Mr. Mulwray's sudden death sets Gittes on a tangled trail of corruption, deceit and sinister family secrets as Evelyn's father (John Huston) becomes a suspect in the case.

Director: Roman Polanski
Producer: Robert Evans
Screenwriter: Robert Towne, Roman Polanski
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now