Chinatown (1974)

Chinatown
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $23,169,837Details
International Box Office $1,157Details
Worldwide Box Office $23,170,994
Further financial details...

Synopsis

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. “Jake” Gittes 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 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 becomes a suspect in the case.

Metrics

Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$6,000,000 (worldwide box office is 3.9 times production budget)

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Watch Now On

iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: June 21st, 1974 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures
International Releases: December 18th, 1974 (Wide) (Portugal)
February 14th, 1975 (Limited) (Australia)
May 23rd, 2024 (Limited) (Re-release) (Portugal)
Video Release: February 10th, 1998 by Paramount Home Video
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 131 minutes
Franchise: Chinatown
Comparisons: vs. The Bourne Identity
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Film Noir, Private Investigator, Surprise Twist, Sex Crimes, Dysfunctional Family, Directing Yourself, Government Corruption, Corporate Malfeasance, False Identity, Incest, Inspired by a True Story, Crime Thriller, 1975 Oscars Best Picture Nominee
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
Australia 2/14/1975 $0 0 3 3 $0
Portugal 12/18/1974 $0 0 1 2 $1,157 6/12/2024
 
International Total$1,157 6/12/2024

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


Leading Cast

Jack Nicholson    J.J. Gittes
Faye Dunaway    Evelyn Cross Mulwray

Supporting Cast

John Hillerman    Russ Yelburton, Deputy Chief of Water Department
Perry Lopez    Lt. Lou Escobar
John Huston    Noah Cross
Diane Ladd    Ida Sessions
Rance Howard    Irate Farmer
Burt Young    Curly
Noble Willingham    Counsilman
James Hong    Kahn
Roman Polanski    Man with Knife

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Roman Polanski    Director
Robert Towne    Screenwriter
Jerry Goldsmith    Composer

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for April 3rd, 2012

April 3rd, 2012

It wasn't a busy week on the home market with only a few first run releases of note. Both War Horse on Four-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack and We Bought a Zoo on Blu-ray Combo Pack are worth picking, but not Pick of the Week material. For that we have to look to Chinatown on Blu-ray. It is shovelware, but it is such a great movie that I'm willing to overlook this. More...

Featured Blu-ray Review: Chinatown

April 2nd, 2012

Chinatown came out in 1974, the year I was born. Despite being made before I was born, it instantly became one of my favorite films when I first saw it and remains so to this day. When this Blu-ray was announced, it was absolutely something I wanted. But, does it make the transition to high definition? The movie is closing in on its 40th anniversary, after all. And are there any new extras? More...


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Synopsis

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. “Jake” Gittes 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 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 becomes a suspect in the case.

Metrics

Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$6,000,000 (worldwide box office is 3.9 times production budget)

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists


Watch Now On

iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: June 21st, 1974 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures
International Releases: December 18th, 1974 (Wide) (Portugal)
February 14th, 1975 (Limited) (Australia)
May 23rd, 2024 (Limited) (Re-release) (Portugal)
Video Release: February 10th, 1998 by Paramount Home Video
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 131 minutes
Franchise: Chinatown
Comparisons: vs. The Bourne Identity
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Film Noir, Private Investigator, Surprise Twist, Sex Crimes, Dysfunctional Family, Directing Yourself, Government Corruption, Corporate Malfeasance, False Identity, Incest, Inspired by a True Story, Crime Thriller, 1975 Oscars Best Picture Nominee
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Leading Cast

Jack Nicholson    J.J. Gittes
Faye Dunaway    Evelyn Cross Mulwray

Supporting Cast

John Hillerman    Russ Yelburton, Deputy Chief of Water Department
Perry Lopez    Lt. Lou Escobar
John Huston    Noah Cross
Diane Ladd    Ida Sessions
Rance Howard    Irate Farmer
Burt Young    Curly
Noble Willingham    Counsilman
James Hong    Kahn
Roman Polanski    Man with Knife

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Roman Polanski    Director
Robert Towne    Screenwriter
Jerry Goldsmith    Composer

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for April 3rd, 2012

April 3rd, 2012

It wasn't a busy week on the home market with only a few first run releases of note. Both War Horse on Four-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack and We Bought a Zoo on Blu-ray Combo Pack are worth picking, but not Pick of the Week material. For that we have to look to Chinatown on Blu-ray. It is shovelware, but it is such a great movie that I'm willing to overlook this. More...

Featured Blu-ray Review: Chinatown

April 2nd, 2012

Chinatown came out in 1974, the year I was born. Despite being made before I was born, it instantly became one of my favorite films when I first saw it and remains so to this day. When this Blu-ray was announced, it was absolutely something I wanted. But, does it make the transition to high definition? The movie is closing in on its 40th anniversary, after all. And are there any new extras? More...

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
Australia 2/14/1975 $0 0 3 3 $0
Portugal 12/18/1974 $0 0 1 2 $1,157 6/12/2024
 
International Total$1,157 6/12/2024

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records