Movies About Kids from the Wrong Side of the Tracks

Ranker Film
Updated August 1, 2019 981 votes 177 voters
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Movies About Kids from the Wrong Side of the Tracks
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite films that feature teenage characters with tough lives.

Rich girl falls in love with poor boy - or vice versa. It's a tale as old as time and a classic theme in wrong side of the tracks movies. The top poor teen movies feature kids from separate financial classes becoming friends or lovers despite their differences. This is a list of the best wrong side of the tracks movies including everything from Grease to West Side Story to Dirty Dancing.

What films will you find on this list of movies featuring characters from the wrong side of the tracks? No one makes films about poor teens like John Waters, and the Johnny Depp-led Cry-Baby is one of his best. It features a battle between the drapes and the squares that leaves everyone singing in honor of the "High School Hellcats." Grease is another great teen love story featuring characters from different worlds. Even the teen film master, John Hughes, put his spin on the genre with Pretty in Pink. Other good films featured on this wrong side of the tracks movies list include The Outsiders, Heathers, and Say Anything.

Which poor teen film do you like the best? Vote your favorites up to the top of the list and please add any good movies that are missing.

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  • The Outsiders
    1

    The Outsiders

    Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio
    86 votes
    • Released: 1983
    • Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
    In the heartland of 1960s Oklahoma, The Outsiders tells the story of a group of underprivileged teenagers known as the Greasers. Ponyboy Curtis (C. Thomas Howell), an introspective youth, and his friends Johnny Cade (Ralph Macchio) and Dallas Winston (Matt Dillon) navigate their way through social inequalities and personal struggles. This coming-of-age drama, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is built on themes of friendship, societal pressure, and the harsh realities of socio-economic divisions. The film has been recognized for its authentic portrayal of teen angst amidst class conflicts.

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  • Stand by Me
    2

    Stand by Me

    Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman
    73 votes
    • Released: 1986
    • Directed by: Rob Reiner
    In the engaging film Stand by Me, four young boys - Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman), and Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell) - embark on an unforgettable quest. Their aim? To locate a missing teenager's body somewhere in the woods of Oregon. Directed by Rob Reiner, this coming-of-age drama is based on Stephen King's novella The Body. It's a gripping tale about friendship, adventure, and the harsh realities of growing up. The film, ripe with poignant performances and a captivating storyline, won critical acclaim upon its release in 1986.

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  • Pretty in Pink
    3

    Pretty in Pink

    Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy
    60 votes
    • Released: 1986
    • Directed by: Howard Deutch
    In Pretty in Pink, a classic '80s teen drama, high school senior Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) navigates the social divide between wealth and poverty. Andie, from a modest background, finds herself torn between her childhood friend Duckie Dale (Jon Cryer), who harbors unrequited feelings for her, and affluent Blane McDonough (Andrew McCarthy). As prom night approaches, Andie must wrestle with the class differences that threaten to keep her and Blane apart while also dealing with Duckie's romantic advances. A poignant exploration of love and socio-economic disparity, this film remains a beloved staple of its genre.

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  • Dirty Dancing
    4

    Dirty Dancing

    Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach
    72 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Emile Ardolino
    In the heart of summer 1963, Frances 'Baby' Houseman (Jennifer Grey) vacations with her affluent family at a high-end Catskills resort. She's an innocent daddy's girl until she stumbles upon the resort's dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). A tough-talking guy from the wrong side of the tracks, Johnny introduces Baby to an intoxicating world of dirty dancing and steamy after-hours parties. As they dance, they fall in love - a passionate affair that defies class boundaries and family expectations. Dirty Dancing, a music-filled drama that won the 1987 Oscar for Best Original Song, is a timeless tale about love, growth, and the power of dance.

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  • Grease
    5

    Grease

    John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
    69 votes
    • Released: 1978
    • Directed by: Randal Kleiser
    In the 1978 musical Grease, Danny Zuko (John Travolta) is a high school heartthrob who finds his world upended when sweet Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John), a girl he met over summer vacation, enrolls at Rydell High. The film navigates the complexities of teenage romance and peer pressure in an era characterized by rock 'n' roll and fast cars. With memorable tunes and energetic dance sequences, the movie went on to become a beloved classic, earning it five Golden Globe nominations. Its vibrant portrayal of 1950s Americana remains iconic even today.

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  • Heathers
    6

    Heathers

    Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
    56 votes
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Michael Lehmann
    In the dark comedy Heathers, high school senior Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) finds herself entangled in an unusual relationship with the mysterious new kid, J.D. (Christian Slater). Amidst the social pressures of Westerburg High School, dominated by a clique of girls all named Heather, Veronica and J.D. embark on a rebellious journey against the popular crowd. Their actions quickly spiral into a series of disturbing events that blur the line between teenage rebellion and criminal activity. This 1988 cult classic explores themes of popularity, power, and the chilling lengths some will go to leave their mark on society.

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