Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)
Kernel Score: 83% · 14,613 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Released: 2019-07-24
Runtime: 162 minutes
Is Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood worth watching?
Depends on your taste. Tarantino's loving, meandering look at 1969 Hollywood, following a fading actor and his stuntman. It's slow and mostly plotless, but the performances and period detail are superb.
Watch it if you
- love old Hollywood
- enjoy leisurely, character-driven films
- like Tarantino's dialogue
Skip it if you
- want a tight plot
- dislike slow pacing
Best for: Slow night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
- Stream: Prime Video, YouTube TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Los Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton, a struggling actor specializing in westerns, and stuntman Cliff Booth, his best friend, try to survive in a constantly changing movie industry. Dalton is the neighbor of the young and promising actress and model Sharon Tate, who has just married the prestigious Polish director Roman Polanski…
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that this R-rated Tarantino film set in 1969 Hollywood includes brutal violence tied to the Manson family and strong adult content.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Keywords reference a satanic cult and the Manson family murders, and the film is known for a graphically violent climax.
- Language: Moderate — The R rating and Tarantino's style point to pervasive strong profanity throughout.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
If you liked Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Pulp Fiction (1994) — 93%: Tarantino's most famous film, with sharp characters
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) — 89%: Tarantino's alternate-history film
- Django Unchained (2012) — 89%: Tarantino's western with sharp dialogue
- Reservoir Dogs (1992) — 89%: Tarantino's lean debut
- Boogie Nights (1997) — 85%: Sprawling ensemble look at an industry
- Babylon (2022) — 83%: Excessive, ambitious look at old Hollywood
Director
Cast
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton
- Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth
- Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate
- Emile Hirsch as Jay Sebring
- Margaret Qualley as 'Pussycat'
- Timothy Olyphant as Jim Stacy
- Julia Butters as Trudi Fraser
- Austin Butler as 'Tex'
- Dakota Fanning as 'Squeaky'
- Bruce Dern as George Spahn
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood FAQ
Is Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood worth watching?
Depends on your taste. Tarantino's loving, meandering look at 1969 Hollywood, following a fading actor and his stuntman. It's slow and mostly plotless, but the performances and period detail are superb.
Where can I watch Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood?
In the US you can stream Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood on Prime Video and YouTube TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood OK for kids?
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that this R-rated Tarantino film set in 1969 Hollywood includes brutal violence tied to the Manson family and strong adult content.
What movies are like Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood?
If you liked Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, try Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained and Reservoir Dogs.