Production note Singleton was 24 when he made the film.
Production note The film cost about $6 million and made about $69 million.
Production note It was released in 811 theaters.
Production note Singleton became the youngest director ever nominated for an Oscar and the first Black director nominated for Best Director.
Production note Fishburne was 29 when he made it, only seven years older than Cuba Gooding Jr.
Production note The film was originally called Summer of 84.
Production note Columbia reportedly offered Singleton $100,000 for the script but wanted to direct it himself.
Production note Ice Cube was paid $50,000 for the title and rights usage tied to the project.
Production note There was a set threat during the Crenshaw SAT scene, and the final take captured real panic.
Production note The film went to Cannes, and Singleton had reportedly never left California before that trip.
Stand By Me Used as the obvious template for the 'want to go see a dead body' scene and a visual/structural homage.
Do the Right Thing Used as a comparison point for Black urban filmmaking and for ending-style differences.
Colors Cited as the earlier film Singleton felt was told through police eyes rather than from the community.
New Jack City Referenced as part of the early-90s wave of Black urban films and as a comparison for tone and soundtrack culture.
Hollywood Shuffle Named as part of the pre-Boyz renaissance of Black filmmaking.
Fruitvale Station Used as a modern parallel to Boyz n the Hood as a homegrown, autobiographical story from a young Black director.
The Color Purple Discussed as a case study in whether a film can still be culturally Black with a white director.
Malcolm X Referenced as Spike Lee’s next major film after Do the Right Thing.
A Bronx Tale Mentioned by Bill in a list of great father-son films.
Kramer vs. Kramer Mentioned by Bill in a list of great father-son films.
Field of Dreams Mentioned by Bill in a list of great father-son films.
Boyhood Mentioned by Bill as an ambitious but not especially beloved entry in the father-son list.
Jerry Maguire Used to explain Cuba Gooding Jr.’s later career trajectory and stardom.
Apocalypse Now Referenced when discussing Fishburne’s young career and how long he had been working.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Referenced as the show Will Smith chose over starring in Boyz n the Hood.
