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Drama thriller

Pulp Fiction (1994): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Pulp Fiction (1994) movie poster

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 drama thriller directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis and John Travolta. It runs 2 hours 34 minutes and earned $213.9 million worldwide on a $8 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen), and 8 awards in all. Critics gave it 95 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.9/10.

IMDb rating
8.9/10
worldwide gross
$213.9M
Oscar won
1
Metascore
95
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Pulp Fiction (1994) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 34m (154 min)
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pulp Fiction About?

The premise of Pulp Fiction without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A sprawling crime saga, this film interweaves several stories of Los Angeles gangsters and their associates. The narrative explores themes of violence, redemption, and the absurdities of everyday life through a series of interconnected events. Featuring memorable characters and sharp dialogue, it offers a stylized and darkly humorous look at the criminal underworld. The film’s nonlinear structure and unique blend of genres create a captivating and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Pulp Fiction Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • nonlinear timeline
  • overdose
  • drug use
  • drug overdose
  • rape
  • car accident
  • anal rape
  • drug dealer
  • dance contest
  • neo noir
  • organized crime
  • bondage
+38 more
  • serial rapist
  • sexual assault
  • sexual predator
  • restaurant robbery
  • tied to a chair
  • hitman
  • double cross
  • shootout
  • murder
  • drugs
  • boxer
  • motel
  • dark comedy
  • 1990s
  • torture
  • bound and gagged
  • ensemble cast
  • oral sex
  • car crash
  • redemption
  • ball gag
  • hit by a car
  • near death experience
  • corpse
  • covered in blood
  • shower
  • strip club
  • shot in the face
  • los angeles california
  • heroin
  • robbery
  • sex slave
  • restaurant
  • baseball bat
  • nosebleed
  • celebrity impersonator
  • racial slur
  • interlinked stories
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Cast & crew

Pulp Fiction Cast

Samuel L. Jackson leads the cast, with Bruce Willis and John Travolta. Directed by Quentin Tarantino.

From the director

More from Quentin Tarantino

More films directed by Quentin Tarantino, best-rated first: Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, Django Unchained, Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill: Vol. 2.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pulp Fiction Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pulp Fiction 95 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.9/10.

Plot

Pulp Fiction Plot Summary

What happens in Pulp Fiction from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Pulp Fiction is a film structured in a non-linear narrative that weaves together three interlinked stories, each spotlighting a distinct protagonist: hitman Vincent Vega, boxer Butch Coolidge, and Jules Winnfield, Vincent’s business partner.

The film opens with a dramatic diner hold-up orchestrated by a couple, but quickly transitions between various story arcs, culminating in a return to the diner for the conclusion. The narrative comprises seven sequences, each introduced by an intertitle:

  1. Prologue - The Diner
  1. Prelude to “Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace’s Wife”
  1. Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace’s Wife
  1. Prelude to “The Gold Watch” (a - flashback, b - present)
  1. The Gold Watch
  1. The Bonnie Situation
  1. Epilogue - The Diner

Full summary

The whole story of Pulp Fiction, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Pulp Fiction Box Office & Budget

Pulp Fiction grossed $213.9 million worldwide on a $8 million budget, 27 times what it cost. $107.9 million came from the US and Canada and $106 million (50%) from the rest of the world.

1994 box office

Worldwide gross

$213.9M

27× its budget

US & Canada
$107.9M
International
$106M
Budget
$8M
US & Canada 50% Rest of the world 50%
Awards

Pulp Fiction Awards & Nominations

Pulp Fiction won 1 Oscar, including Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen), and 8 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 1995, with 4 wins from 5 nominations.

8 wins31 nominations6 ceremonies

Show all 6 ceremonies
Videos

Pulp Fiction Trailers & Videos

22 videos: 1 trailer and 21 clips.

All 22 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip 'Say What Again'
  • Clip Overdose
  • Clip 'Royale with Cheese'
  • Clip 'I Want To Dance'
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pulp Fiction?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the profession of Vincent Vega?

Cars

Cars in Pulp Fiction

28 cars on screen, including the 1977 Checker Taxicab and the 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu.

All 28 cars
  • 1977 Checker Taxicab in Pulp Fiction 1977 Checker Taxicab Important role
  • 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu in Pulp Fiction 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Important role
  • 1974 Chevrolet Nova in Pulp Fiction 1974 Chevrolet Nova Important role
  • 1980 Honda Civic in Pulp Fiction 1980 Honda Civic Important role
Details

Pulp Fiction Also Known As

47 alternative titles, including “Pulp Fiction - Chronological Cut” and “Makulatura”.

Also known as
  • Pulp Fiction - Chronological Cut
  • Makulatura
  • Šund
  • Pulp Fiction: Historky z podsvetia
  • Кримiнальне чтиво, parup fikusyon
  • Евтини приказни
  • पल्प फिक्शन, μυθοπλασία πολτού
  • Sifrut Zolla
  • Pulp Fiction - Tarinoita väkivallasta
  • Lubene
  • Fiction pulpeuse
  • 黑色追緝令
+35 more
  • 危險人物
  • Петпарачке приче
  • 펄프 픽션
  • Криминальное чтиво
  • 低俗小说
  • Tiempos Violentos
  • เขย่าชีพจรเกินเดือด
  • パルプ・フィクション
  • Black Mask
  • Pulp Fiction: Historky z podsvětí
  • Μια ιστορία βίας
  • Pulp Fiction: Tiempos violentos
  • Pulp Fiction: Tempo de Violência
  • Ponyvaregény
  • Ucuz Roman
  • Bulvarinis skaitalas
  • بالب فيكشن
  • Khayao Chipphachon Koen Dueat
  • Kriminal Qirayet
  • Криминале
  • Chuyện Tào Lao
  • Dastan-e aame pasand
  • Криминалды шығарма
  • Jinoiy cho'pchak
  • Pakleni šund
  • Քրեական ընթերցվածք
  • 黑色追缉令
  • Крымінальнае чытво
  • Pulp Fiction: Tarinoita väkivallasta
  • ספרות זולה
  • Кримінальне чтиво
  • قصه های عامه پسند
  • പൾപ്പ് ഫിക്ഷൻ
  • Jinoiy asar, მაკულატურა
  • خيال رخيص

Seen Pulp Fiction?

FAQ

Pulp Fiction FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Pulp Fiction, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pulp Fiction?

Pulp Fiction runs 2 hours 34 minutes (154 minutes).

When was Pulp Fiction released?

Pulp Fiction was released on October 14, 1994.

Who directed Pulp Fiction?

Pulp Fiction was directed by Quentin Tarantino.

More films by Quentin Tarantino

Who is in the cast of Pulp Fiction?

Pulp Fiction stars Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis and John Travolta.

How much did Pulp Fiction make at the box office?

Pulp Fiction grossed $213.9 million worldwide ($107.9 million domestic, $106 million international) on a budget of $8 million.

How is Pulp Fiction rated?

Pulp Fiction has 8.9/10 on IMDb, 95 on Metacritic and 85% on TMDB.

What awards did Pulp Fiction win?

Pulp Fiction won 8 awards from 31 nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 1995.

Does Pulp Fiction have a post-credit scene?

No. Pulp Fiction has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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