๐ŸŽž MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1974 โ€บ Chinatown

Chinatown poster

Chinatown (1974)

โ€œYou get tough. You get tender. You get close to each other. Maybe you even get close to the truth.โ€

7.9/10 ยท 4,427 votes 2h 10m r ThrillerDramaCrimeMystery

#3 of 22 films from 1974 #65 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Roman Polanski ยท Written by Robert Towne, Roman Polanski

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

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.

Cast

Jack Nicholsonas J.J. 'Jake' Gittes
Faye Dunawayas Evelyn Cross Mulwray
John Hustonas Noah Cross
Perry Lopezas Lieutenant Lou Escobar
John Hillermanas Russ Yelburton
Diane Laddas Ida Sessions
Roman Polanskias Man with Knife
Roy Jensonas Claude Mulvihill
Richard Bakalyanas Detective Loach
James Hongas Evelyn's Butler
Bruce Gloveras Duffy
Joe Mantellas Lawrence Walsh
Roy Robertsas Mayor Bagby
Noble Willinghamas Councilman

Facts

Release dateJune 20, 1974
Runtime130 min (2h 10m) โ€” longer as the 1974 average of 117 min
GenresThriller, Drama, Crime, Mystery
LanguageEN
Budget$6,000,000
Box office$30,000,000 (5.0ร— budget)
IMDbtt0071315

More from Roman Polanski

The PianistThe Pianist2002 ยท โ˜… 8.4 ยท 2h 30m Rosemary's BabyRosemary's Baby1968 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 18m The TenantThe Tenant1976 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 2h 6m RepulsionRepulsion1965 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 45m CarnageCarnage2011 ยท โ˜… 7.2 ยท 1h 20m Venus in FurVenus in Fur2013 ยท โ˜… 7.2 ยท 1h 36m Death and the MaidenDeath and the Maiden1994 ยท โ˜… 7.1 ยท 1h 43m Bitter MoonBitter Moon1992 ยท โ˜… 7.1 ยท 2h 19m

If you liked Chinatown

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

In the Heat of the NightIn the Heat of the Night1967 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 49m The Long GoodbyeThe Long Goodbye1973 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 52m Evil Under the SunEvil Under the Sun1982 ยท โ˜… 6.9 ยท 1h 57m KluteKlute1971 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 1h 54m Dog Day AfternoonDog Day Afternoon1975 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 4m Le SamouraรฏLe Samouraรฏ1967 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 45m ZZ1969 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 2m All the President's MenAll the President's Men1976 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 2h 18m

Questions

How long is Chinatown?
Chinatown runs 130 minutes (2h 10m).
Is Chinatown worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.9/10 across 4,427 votes, which places it #3 of 22 films released in 1974 in this index (top 91%) and #65 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed Chinatown?
Chinatown was directed by Roman Polanski. Other well-rated titles by the same director: The Pianist (2002), Rosemary's Baby (1968), The Tenant (1976).
Who stars in Chinatown?
Jack Nicholson as J.J. 'Jake' Gittes; Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Cross Mulwray; John Huston as Noah Cross; Perry Lopez as Lieutenant Lou Escobar; John Hillerman as Russ Yelburton; Diane Ladd as Ida Sessions.
What is Chinatown rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Chinatown?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/15087.

Browse

Best of 1974Best thrillerThriller of the 1970sBest dramaDrama of the 1970sBest crimeCrime of the 1970sBest mysteryMystery of the 1970sAll lists
MTDbยทBest films by year, genre and runtimeยทA century in numbersยทBrowse and watch trailers

Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.