Chinatown (1974): cast, story & where to watch
1974 · Film · ★ 7.9
Released in 1974, Chinatown is a thriller, drama, crime and mystery film directed by Roman Polanski, running about 130 minutes. “You get tough. You get tender. You get close to each other. Maybe you even get close to the truth.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. Chinatown stars Jack Nicholson as J.J. 'Jake' Gittes, Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Cross Mulwray, John Huston as Noah Cross and Perry Lopez as Lieutenant Lou Escobar, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.9/10, Chinatown has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $30M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on MGM Plus and rent or buy it from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Chinatown page.
If you liked it. Fans of Chinatown tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Chinatown (1974)?
- In US, Chinatown is available to stream on MGM Plus, and rent or buy from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Chinatown worth watching?
- Chinatown holds an audience score of 7.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama, crime and mystery. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Chinatown?
- Chinatown stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez and John Hillerman.
- When was Chinatown released?
- Chinatown was released in 1974, with a runtime of about 130 minutes.