Production note The movie had final cut but still ran long and missed the studio's preferred under-three-hour target.
Production note It made about $33 million domestic on a $65 million budget.
Production note Fincher digitally recreated much of San Francisco, including the Coit Tower.
Production note The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or but received no Oscar nominations.
Mentioned with uncertainty Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo were reportedly recommended to Fincher by Jennifer Aniston.
Production note Fincher reportedly needed about 80 takes for a bar scene between Downey and Gyllenhaal.
Production note Gary Oldman was reportedly considered for Melvin Belli.
Production note The crew flew in oak trees by helicopter for the Lake Berryessa scene.
Production note The film was shot largely on digital and used CGI for some gore and environment work.
Production note The movie likely identifies Arthur Lee Allen as the Zodiac killer, at least as the filmmakers' conclusion.
Chinatown Used as a benchmark for great American crime films.
The Maltese Falcon Another benchmark for great American crime films.
Police Academy 3 Jokingly cited as a rewatchables alternative.
Running Scared Mentioned as another favorite that could have been discussed instead.
The Dark Knight Used as a contrast for a huge, culture-shifting rewatchables subject.
Godfather Part II Compared to Zodiac as a rewatchable movie that reveals new things on repeat viewings.
Mad Men Used to describe Zodiac as more about professional procedures and workplace texture than thriller mechanics.
Seven A Fincher comparison point that the hosts say Zodiac is unlike in structure.
Mindhunter Discussed as a later Fincher project that revisits Zodiac's concerns about language and serial killers.
Boogie Nights Used to illustrate a familiar character arc that Zodiac intentionally lacks.
All the President's Men Cited as a tonal and structural cousin to Zodiac.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Used as another example of a film that feels like it contains an extra movie beyond the expected ending.
The Shining Referenced as an example of uncanny horror staging, especially a staircase scene.
The Graduate Used to describe an ending where triumph dissipates rather than resolves cleanly.
House of Cards Mentioned as an example of Fincher moving toward television-like storytelling.
