51 Years Later, The “Greatest American Crime Thriller” Is Finally Streaming Again on Paramount+

There are few movies that come with almost unanimous praise, a bounty of awards, and a legacy that has not diminished over the last 51 years, but Chinatown is that enigma. Released in 1974, Chinatown was, first and foremost, a box office hit, with its budget of $6 million being turned into a $29 million gross. However, it was much more than just a cinematic hit, it was – as was confirmed in 1991 with its preservation in the US National Film Registry at the Library of Congress – a movie that had “cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.” For many people, it could have all three. What is Chinatown actually about? The synopsis reads:






