After the script leaked online, writer and director Quentin Tarantino did not want to make this movie. However, after they did a brief reading of the script in Los Angeles, the cast was stunned and got excited for the film, and with Samuel L. Jackson persuading him to do this movie, Tarantino accepted.

Warren says that he and Smithers fought against each other during the Civil War at the Battle of Baton Rouge. The battle took place in 1862, African-American troops first saw combat in 1863.

The credit includes "Checkpoint Charlie," the person whose job is to prevent anyone from entering the set with a cellphone.

From the week of December 25th to 31st 2015, the film was shown exclusively in a 'Roadshow' version at 100 locations across North America (about half of them were 70mm film projection, the other half digital). This version played without previews and ran 187 minutes, including a 4-minute Overture and a 12-minute Intermission. The 'Multiplex' version (digital only) runs 167 minutes, and was shown from January 1, 2016 onwards. In addition to not having the Overture and Intermission, it removes approximately six minutes of footage that Quentin Tarantino felt played better in the 70mm format.

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