It’s the 30th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino’s first major motion picture, Reservoir Dogs, the crime thriller that began Tarantino’s career as one of the most innovative and provocative modern filmmakers. The visceral film follows a crew of six criminals in the immediate aftermath of a botched jewelry heist, and their ensuing manic search for the rat among them responsible for the police ambush.
Reservoir Dogs introduced audiences to hallmarks of Tarantino’s style: non-linear storytelling, a soundtrack integral to the script, carefully placed references, and Easter eggs. Tarantino's film attributes have informed and inspired other filmmakers for the past three decades.
Reservoir Dogs is the kind of film that, even if you haven’t seen it, you feel as though you have. It has been referenced, spoofed, and remixed in every film genre, from subtle references in children’s cartoons to direct inspiration for other crime films.
To consider both the breadth and longevity of Reservoir Dogs’ influence, below is a list of thirty references to Reservoir Dogs in films and television shows from the past thirty years (I excluded references in video games and in Tarantino’s own films). The two entries marked by asterisks are those I could contribute to IMDB.com's massive list of references to the film—592, including spoofs and remakes:
In my own homage to Reservoir Dogs, I’ve compiled this list non-linearly.
This first portion of the list includes references to Reservoir Dogs either through characters’ dialogue or costumes, the title of the show or episode, or the framing of particularly recognizable shots (e.g., the shot from inside a car trunk):
- Beavis and Butt-Head: “Nose Bleed” (1997)
- BoJack Horseman: “One Trick Pony” (2014)
- Boy Meets World: “My Best Friend's Girl” (1995)
- Dawson's Creek: “After Hours” (2002)
- Dear White People: “Volume 3: Chapter VI” (2019)
- Fresh Off the Boat: “Miracle on Dead Street” (2015)
- Gilmore Girls: “Pulp Friction” (2005)
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: “Paddy's Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia” (2008)
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent: “Weeping Willow” (2006)
- Let's Be Cops (2014)
- Northern Exposure: “Rosebud” (1993)
- Parks and Recreation: “Filibuster” (2013)
- Psych: “Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark” (2009)
- Queer Eye: “Hose Before Bros” (2018)
- Ray Donovan: “New Birthday” (2013)
- Saturday Night Live: “Christina Ricci/Beck” (1999)
- Supernatural: “Stuck in the Middle (With You)” (2017)
- Ugly Betty: “Icing on the Cake” (2007)
- Veep: “Joint Session” (2015)
Reservoir Dogs has been on game shows:
20. Jeopardy!: “Episode #26.20” (2009)
21. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: “Episode #7.62” (2008)
The film’s poster has been used as a prop in television characters’ bedrooms:
22. Reservation Dogs: “F*ckin' Rez Dogs” (2021)
23. Saturday Night Live: “Jarret’s Room” Sketches (2000-2004)
These shows all played on Reservoir Dogs’ unforgettable torture scene, set to the tune of Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You”:
24. *Bob’s Burgers: “Moody Foodie” (2012)
25. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: “Charlie Catches a Leprechaun” (2016)
26. Nip/Tuck: “Momma Boone” (2005)
Lastly, these shows parody the criminals’ slow-motion title sequence stroll to George Baker Selection’s “Little Green Bag”:
27. The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius: “MaternoTron Knows Best/Send in the Clones” (2004)
28. *Derry Girls: “Episode #1.2” (2018)
29. Hey Arnold!: “Big Gino/Jamie O in Love” (1999)
30. The Simpsons: “Singin' in the Lane” (2017)
Reservoir Dogs is streaming on HBO and STARZ; in celebration of its anniversary, the film will be released on 4K Blu-Ray on November 14. Looking back at its staggering contributions to film and pop culture at large, it’s clear Reservoir Dogs will never be “dead as Dillinger.”