If you loved the nostalgic charm, gripping storytelling, and star-studded cast of *Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood* (2019), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 movies and TV shows that capture the same essence—whether it's the retro Hollywood setting, the blend of drama and dark humor, or the intricate character dynamics. Whether you're a fan of Quentin Tarantino's unique style or simply crave more stories set in the golden age of cinema, this list has something for you.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Description: Tarantino's debut shares OUATIH's focus on male camaraderie and features another tense, dialogue-heavy standoff (the warehouse vs Spahn Ranch). Both films use pop music brilliantly to underscore violence. The non-linear structure in both keeps audiences guessing about character motivations.
Fact: The infamous ear scene used syrup and a prosthetic ear. Harvey Keitel helped finance the film. All the characters are named after colors except 'Nice Guy Eddie'.
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Pulp Fiction (1994)
Description: Tarantino's breakout hit shares OUATIH's Los Angeles setting, nonlinear storytelling, and blend of violence and humor. Both films feature interconnected storylines and celebrate pop culture (50s/60s in OUATIH vs 70s/80s in Pulp). The diner scenes in both films serve as important narrative bookends.
Fact: The briefcase's contents were never specified in the script. Travolta's dance scene was improvised. The film revived Travolta's career after a decade of decline.
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Jackie Brown (1997)
Description: Tarantino's most grounded film shares OUATIH's focus on aging characters past their prime (flight attendant vs TV actor). Both are love letters to 70s pop culture (blaxploitation films vs western TV shows). The complex plot mechanics and long dialogue scenes are trademarks in both.
Fact: Pam Grier and Robert Forster were both 70s stars making comebacks. The only Tarantino film adapted from existing material (Elmore Leonard's novel). Samuel L. Jackson's character was originally written as white.
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Magnolia (1999)
Description: PT Anderson's LA-set ensemble drama shares OUATIH's focus on interconnected lives and fading stars (child prodigy vs TV actor). Both films feature surreal, cinematic moments (frogs vs flamethrower) amidst grounded drama. The long tracking shots and attention to performance are similar.
Fact: The frog scene was achieved with trained frogs and CGI. Tom Cruise's intense preparation included studying pick-up artists. The film's title comes from a street sign Anderson saw that 'just looked right'.
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Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Description: Like OUATIH, this is another Tarantino genre pastiche (martial arts films vs westerns). Both feature revenge plots and focus on entertainment industry figures (actress/assassin vs actor/stuntman). The chapters in Kill Bill mirror OUATIH's 'day in the life' structure leading to a violent climax.
Fact: The Crazy 88 fight took 6 weeks to shoot. Uma Thurman performed most of her own stunts. The anime sequence was controversial with test audiences.
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Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Description: Another Tarantino film, 'Inglourious Basterds' shares the director's signature nonlinear storytelling, sharp dialogue, and revisionist history approach (like OUATIH's alternate Manson timeline). Both films feature strong ensemble casts and moments of sudden, shocking violence juxtaposed with humor.
Fact: The opening farmhouse scene was shot in one long take. Christoph Waltz spoke four languages fluently in the film. Tarantino wrote the role of Hans Landa specifically for Waltz.
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Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Description: The conclusion to Kill Bill shares OUATIH's more reflective tone compared to its predecessor's action. Both films feature training sequences (Beatrix with Pai Mei vs Cliff in flashbacks) and explore mentor/protégé relationships. The desert settings in both films are visually striking.
Fact: The burial scene was so intense Thurman hyperventilated. David Carradine was not the first choice for Bill. The 'five point palm' technique was invented for the film.
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Django Unchained (2012)
Description: Tarantino's spaghetti western-inspired film shares OUATIH's love for genre homage and meticulous period detail. Both are ultimately about professional partnerships (bounty hunter/slave vs actor/stuntman) and feature cathartic, violent climaxes. The films also share themes of revenge and justice.
Fact: This was Tarantino's first film without editor Sally Menke, who passed away. Will Smith turned down the lead role. The 'KKK' scene was largely improvised.
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The Hateful Eight (2015)
Description: This Tarantino western shares OUATIH's slow-burn tension, ensemble cast dynamics, and focus on dialogue-driven scenes. Both films feature characters trapped together in confined spaces (a ranch house vs a stagecoach lodge) with mounting paranoia. The 70mm cinematography gives both films an epic, cinematic quality.
Fact: The film was almost never made after the script leaked. Ennio Morricone won his only competitive Oscar for this score. Kurt Russell accidentally destroyed a priceless antique guitar during filming.
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The Nice Guys (2016)
Description: Like 'Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood', 'The Nice Guys' is set in a nostalgic version of Los Angeles (the 1970s) and blends crime, comedy, and drama. Both films feature a buddy dynamic and explore themes of fading glory and the underbelly of Hollywood. Director Shane Black's sharp dialogue and quirky characters echo Tarantino's style.
Fact: Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe improvised many of their scenes. The film was originally conceived as a sequel to 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'. The script sat in development hell for nearly a decade before being made.
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