The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Entertainment • Film

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 American film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 American film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in Los Angeles in 1969, it follows fading actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth as they navigate a changing Hollywood while crossing paths with real historical figures, including Sharon Tate and the Manson Family. The film blends fictional characters with historical events and is known for its revisionist ending.

Plot

The film follows Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth as they try to remain relevant in a changing 1969 Hollywood. Their story intersects with Sharon Tate and the Manson Family, building toward a fictionalized alternate ending.

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Rick Dalton, Brad Pitt plays Cliff Booth, and Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate. The cast also includes Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant, and Dakota Fanning.

Release and reception

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was released in theatres on July 26, 2019. It received significant critical attention and earned multiple award nominations, including major Academy Award recognition. Brad Pitt won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Cliff Booth. The film was released theatrically in Canada in 2019 and received broad international attention.

Historical context

The film uses real 1969 Los Angeles and figures from that era, but many characters and events are fictionalized. It presents an alternate version of history rather than a strict dramatization of actual events.

Key facts

  • The story is set in Los Angeles in 1969 and centres on Hollywood’s changing film and television industry.
  • Rick Dalton is a fading television Western star, and Cliff Booth is his longtime stunt double and friend.
  • The film includes fictionalized versions of real people such as Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski.
  • Its ending rewrites the historical Tate murder timeline with a violent alternate-history climax.
  • Brad Pitt won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Cliff Booth.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was released theatrically in Canada in 2019 and is also relevant to Canadian readers as a major English-language Hollywood production that received broad international attention, including at Canadian cinemas and award coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood about?
It follows fading actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth in 1969 Los Angeles as they try to stay relevant in a changing Hollywood, while the story intersects with Sharon Tate and the Manson Family.
Cast of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
The main cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate. Other cast members include Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant, and Dakota Fanning.
Release date of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
The film was released in the United States on July 26, 2019.
Ending explained Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
The ending is an alternate-history rewrite in which Rick and Cliff intervene during the Manson Family attack, preventing the historical murders at Sharon Tate’s home. Tarantino uses this fictional ending to change the outcome of a real tragic event.
Is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood based on a true story?
It is partly based on real people, places, and events from 1969 Hollywood, but it is not a true-story drama. The film mixes fictional characters with historical figures and invents major story events.
Who plays Rick Dalton?
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Rick Dalton.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Time_in_Hollywood
    Supports: Basic plot setup, setting, and character names.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7131622/
    Supports: Cast list, plot summary, runtime, and release information.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/once_upon_a_time_in_hollywood
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, genre, and release date.
  4. Empire — https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/movie-plots-explained-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood/
    Supports: Plot explanation, historical context, and the film's alternate-history ending.