Chinatown (1974) Thriller Drama Mystery
Chinatown (1974) Movie Release Dates / Movie Details
- Overall Score: ☆ 9.03/10
IMDB: ☆ 8.1/10
Metascore: ☆ 9.2/10
Tomatometer: ☆ 9.8/10 - Related: Discover more movies like Chinatown
Chinatown Plot Synopsis:
In 1937 Los Angeles, private investigator Jake 'J.J.' Gittes specializes in cheating-spouse cases. His current target is Hollis Mulwray, high-profile chief engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, whose wife suspects him of infidelity. In following Mulwray, Gittes witnesses some usual business dealings, such as a public meeting for construction of a new dam to create additional water supply for Los Angeles, as fresh water is vital to the growing community during the chronic drought; Mulwray opposes the dam. Eventually Gittes sees Mulwray meeting with an unknown young woman who isn't his wife. Once news of the supposed tryst between Mulwray and this woman hits the media, additional information comes to light that makes Gittes believe that Mulwray is being framed for something and that he himself is being set up. In his investigation of the issue behind Mulwray's framing and his own setup, Gittes is assisted by Mulwray's wife Evelyn, but he thinks she isn't being forthright with him. The further he gets into the investigation, the more secrets he uncovers about the Mulwrays' professional and personal dealings, including Mulwray's former business-partnership with Evelyn's father, Noah Cross. The identity of the unknown woman may be the key to uncovering the whole story.
Synopsis / Plot Summary: A private detective hired to expose an adulterer finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.
Tagline: You get tough. You get tender. You get close to each other. Maybe you even get close to the truth.
More: Most Anticipated Horror Movies Coming Soon in 2026-2027!Official Trailer
Chinatown Movie Information:
Type: MovieYear: 1974 (more 1974 movies)
Box Office: $29,200,000
Awards: 21
Nominations: 24
Language: English, Cantonese, Spanish
Country: United States
Release Dates: Movie Release Dates / Chinatown Release Dates In Theaters: Jun 20, 1974
Writers: Robert Towne, Roman Polanski
Producers: C.O. Erickson, Robert Evans
Editors: Sam O'Steen
Trending in Movies:
Whistle (2025), Forgive Us All (2025), Hell House LLC: Lineage (2025), 28 Years Later: The Bone… (2026), 28 Years Later (2025), We Bury the Dead (2024), Strange Harvest: Occult Murder… (2024), Bring Her Back (2025), Parvulos (2024), and ZombieCON Vol. 1 (2024)
Check Out the Best Horror Movies of 2026 You Must See!
Check out more movies that start with C and movies from 1974. Also, you can find more thriller movies that start with C.
More: Must See New Horror Movies in 2026!(5) Movie Recommendations
Similar Movies to Chinatown (1974)(Click to Expand)
Chinatown (1974) Cast (Click to Expand)
Chinatown Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | Character(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Nicholson | ... | J.J. Gittes |
| Faye Dunaway | ... | Evelyn Mulwray |
| John Huston | ... | Noah Cross |
| Perry Lopez | ... | Escobar |
| John Hillerman | ... | Yelburton |
| Darrell Zwerling | ... | Hollis Mulwray |
| Diane Ladd | ... | Ida Sessions |
| Roy Jenson | ... | Mulvihill |
| Roman Polanski | ... | Man with Knife |
| Richard Bakalyan | ... | Loach (as Dick Bakalyan) |
| Joe Mantell | ... | Walsh |
| Bruce Glover | ... | Duffy |
| Nandu Hinds | ... | Sophie |
| James O''Rear | ... | Lawyer (as James O''Reare) |
| James Hong | ... | Evelyn''s Butler |
| Beulah Quo | ... | Maid |
| Jerry Fujikawa | ... | Gardener |
| Belinda Palmer | ... | Katherine |
| Roy Roberts | ... | Mayor Bagby |
| Noble Willingham | ... | Councilman |
Fun Facts: 15 Real AGES of Cast
- Jack Nicholson (b. April 22, 1937) – J.J. Gittes
Sign: Taurus, Height: 5' 9¾" (1.77 m) - Faye Dunaway (b. January 14, 1941) – Evelyn Mulwray
Sign: Capricorn, Height: 5' 7" (1.7 m) - John Huston, as Noah Cross, passed away at age 81 in Middletown, Rhode Island, USA.
Sign: Leo, Height: 6' 2" (1.88 m)
Also known as: Guest X | Jhon Huston - Perry Lopez, as Escobar, passed away at age 78 in Beverly Hills, California, USA.
Sign: Cancer
Also known as: Julio López | Perry López - John Hillerman, as Yelburton, passed away at age 84 in Houston, Texas, USA.
Sign: Sagittarius, Height: 5' 7" (1.7 m) - Darrell Zwerling – Hollis Mulwray
- Diane Ladd (b. November 29, 1935) – Ida Sessions
Sign: Sagittarius, Height: 5' 7" (1.7 m)
Also known as: Diane Lad | Diana Ladd - Roy Jenson, as Mulvihill, passed away at age 80 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Sign: Aquarius, Height: 6' 2" (1.88 m)
Also known as: Roy C. Jensen | Roy Jensen | Roy C. Jenson | Roy Cameron Jenson - Roman Polanski (b. August 18, 1933) – Man with Knife
Sign: Leo, Height: 5' 3" (1.6 m)
Also known as: R. Polanski | Roman Polañski - Richard Bakalyan, as Loach (as Dick Bakalyan), passed away at age 84 in Elmira, New York, USA.
Sign: Aquarius, Height: 5' 9½" (1.77 m)
Also known as: Dick Bakalyan | Richard Bakalyn | Richard Bakalynn - Joe Mantell, as Walsh, passed away at age 94 in Tarzana, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Sign: Sagittarius
Also known as: Joseph Mantell - Bruce Glover (b. May 2, 1932) – Duffy
Sign: Taurus - Nandu Hinds – Sophie
- James O''Rear – Lawyer (as James O''Reare)
- James Hong (b. February 22, 1929) – Evelyn''s Butler
Sign: Pisces, Height: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
Also known as: James Haig | Jimmy Hong | Jim Hong | James Young
Source: IMDB, Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes, HellHorror.com fans like you!