The term "pulp fiction" is an Americanism from the 1950s. It refers to fiction writing that deals with shocking or sensational topics and which used to be printed on low-quality paper that was made from wood pulp. Pulp Fiction is also the name of a gangster film starring John Travolta, which became the top movie of 1994.

Today the film continues to attract fans on DVD. It has a cult following and its combination of humor, satire, and crime has made a lasting impression on movies and writings that have followed in its wake.