Movies About Kids from the Wrong Side of the Tracks

Ranker Film
Updated May 10, 2024 20 items
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1.2K votes
210 voters
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite films that feature teenage characters with tough lives.
Latest additions: We Grown Now
Most divisive: Kids
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Teens from the Wrong Side of the Tracks

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.

  • The Outsiders
    1

    The Outsiders

    Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio
    108 votes
    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
    91 votes
    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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  • Dirty Dancing
    3

    Dirty Dancing

    Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach
    84 votes
    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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  • Pretty in Pink
    4

    Pretty in Pink

    Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy
    73 votes
    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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  • Grease
    5

    Grease

    John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
    83 votes
    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
    69 votes
    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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  • Cry-Baby
    7

    Cry-Baby

    Johnny Depp, Amy Locane, Susan Tyrrell
    65 votes
  • West Side Story
    8

    West Side Story

    Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn
    60 votes
    In the heart of New York City, a tale of love and rivalry unfolds in West Side Story. Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), two star-crossed lovers, find themselves caught between the warring Jets and Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The movie, a musical drama, is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set to Leonard Bernstein's score. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, it won ten Academy Awards including Best Picture. However, this urban romance is marred by tragedy as tensions escalate to fatal consequences.
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  • Say Anything...
    9

    Say Anything...

    John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney
    54 votes
    Say Anything... is a 1989 romantic comedy-drama directed by Cameron Crowe. The film centers on the unlikely romance between Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack), an earnest, quirky kickboxer, and Diane Court (Ione Skye), a high-achieving valedictorian. Dobler's unconventional charm and persistent pursuit of Court forms the crux of this coming-of-age tale. The movie, while encompassing themes of young love and post-high school uncertainty, also delves into familial dynamics with James Court (John Mahoney), Diane's overprotective father. Say Anything... is noted for its iconic boombox scene and was ranked by Entertainment Weekly as one of the greatest modern movie romances.
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  • Some Kind of Wonderful
    10

    Some Kind of Wonderful

    Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, Lea Thompson
    49 votes
    Some Kind of Wonderful is a compelling coming-of-age drama, with a touch of romance, set in the backdrop of an American high school. Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz), a blue-collar teen with artistic dreams, finds himself caught in a love triangle with his best friend Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) and the popular girl Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson). As Keith navigates the tricky dynamics of adolescent relationships, he learns valuable lessons about friendship, love, and self-discovery. This engaging narrative is helmed by director Howard Deutch and penned by John Hughes, both renowned for their contributions to 80s cinema.
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  • Thirteen
    11

    Thirteen

    Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood, Nikki Reed
    66 votes
    In the gritty drama Thirteen, Tracy Freeland (Evan Rachel Wood) is a promising student whose life spirals out of control after befriending the rebellious Evie Zamora (Nikki Reed). As Tracy plunges headfirst into a world of petty crime and substance abuse, her mother, Melanie (Holly Hunter), struggles to save her from self-destruction. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, this stark portrayal of adolescence earned Holly Hunter an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Thirteen is a riveting exploration of teenage turmoil, peer pressure, and parental desperation.
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  • Hairspray
    12

    Hairspray

    Ricki Lake, Divine, Jerry Stiller
    56 votes
    When Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake), an overweight teen, auditions for a spot on a popular teen dance show, she beats out the spiteful Amber von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick), winning over Amber's boyfriend (Michael St. Gerard) in the process. After meeting some black students at her school, Tracy begins to push for more racial integration on the dance show. This gets her into trouble on many sides, especially with Amber's pushy parents (Sonny Bono, Deborah Harry).
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  • Kids
    13

    Kids

    Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, Chloë Sevigny
    56 votes
    Delving into the raw and unfiltered reality of youth, Kids is a riveting drama directed by Larry Clark. The narrative orbits around Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), who prides himself on deflowering virgins, and his reckless friend Casper (Justin Pierce). Unbeknownst to Telly, a former partner Jenny (Chloë Sevigny) learns she's HIV positive, setting off a desperate quest across New York City. As their paths converge, Kids paints an unsettling portrait of teenage life. Complemented by an authentic cast and gritty storytelling, it offers an uncompromising look at the consequence-laden world of adolescence.
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  • Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
    14

    Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

    Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton
    48 votes
    Set in 1980s Harlem, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is a stirring drama featuring Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), an illiterate, overweight teenager pregnant with her second child. The film unfolds Precious's journey from despair to hope under the guidance of her alternative school teacher Ms. Rain (Paula Patton). Mariah Carey gives a notable performance as Mrs. Weiss, a social worker determined to help Precious. Directed by Lee Daniels and winner of two Academy Awards, this film is an unflinching portrayal of abuse and redemption.
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  • Less Than Zero
    15

    Less Than Zero

    Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, Robert Downey
    45 votes
    Clay (Andrew McCarthy) comes home to Los Angeles after his first semester of college and encounters some disturbing developments. His former lover, burgeoning model Blair (Jami Gertz), has begun to abuse cocaine. But her addiction pales in comparison to the drug dependency of her new boyfriend, Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), who's also Clay's childhood buddy. Clay tries to help them get sober, but the process is complicated by Rip (James Spader), a callous dealer Julian is indebted to.
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  • City of God
    16

    City of God

    Alice Braga, Seu Jorge, Matheus Nachtergaele
    37 votes
    City of God is a 2002 Brazilian crime drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and co-directed by Kátia Lund, released in its home country in 2002 and worldwide in 2003. The story was adapted by Bráulio Mantovani from the 1997 novel of the same name written by Paulo Lins, but the plot is loosely based on real events. It depicts the growth of organized crime in the Cidade de Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro, between the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1980s, with the closure of the film depicting the events between the Li'l Zé and Knockout Ned.
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  • Moonlight
    17

    Moonlight

    33 votes
  • Raising Victor Vargas
    18

    Raising Victor Vargas

    Victor Rasuk, Judy Marte, Melonie Diaz
    30 votes
    On New York City's Lower East Side, Dominican teen and aspiring ladies' man Victor Vargas (Victor Rasuk) has nothing but girls on his mind. Though he talks a big game at the local pool, Vargas' true experience amounts to nothing more than a string of romantic rejections. After Vargas fails to improve his abysmal reputation by bedding an overweight classmate, he chooses a much more difficult target -- the stunning and stuck-up Judy Ramirez (Judy Marte).
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  • Light of My Life
    19

    Light of My Life

    Casey Affleck, Elisabeth Moss, Anna Pniowsky
    21 votes
    A man tries to protect his daughter from the dangers of the world after a devastating plague wipes out most of the female population.
  • We Grown Now
    20

    We Grown Now

    Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson
    1 votes
    In 1992 best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city of Chicago, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing. They soon find their unbreakable bond challenged when a tragedy shakes their community.
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