Movies About La Gangs

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is a 1998 crime drama directed by Tony Kaye and starring Edward Norton as Derek Vinyard, a young man sentenced to three years in prison for murder. He is released early after a stint in prison and attempts to redeem himself and his family from their former white supremacist lifestyle. Derek's younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), is on the same path, and Derek is determined to set him straight. The film follows Derek's compelling journey of self-discovery and redemption and shows the power of love and understanding to bring about positive change. It explores the destructive effects of racism and the power of family and friendship to bring about positive change. The film is an intense and thought-provoking story of the devastating consequences of racism, and how it can be overcome with understanding and acceptance.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Damian Chapa, Jesse Borrego, Benjamin Bratt, Enrique Castillo
Rated R

"Blood In, Blood Out" is a 1993 drama directed by Taylor Hackford. The film follows the story of three Mexican-American cousins living in East Los Angeles: Miklo, Cruz, and Paco. Miklo is a troubled youth who is sent to prison, while his cousins Cruz and Paco join a Latino street gang, the Vatos Locos. While Miklo is away, Cruz and Paco become increasingly involved in gang life, and their involvement leads to a violent altercation with a rival gang. After Miklo is released from prison, he attempts to stay away from the gang life, but eventually finds himself pulled back in, leading to a dramatic climax. The film explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the cost of violence.

From John Singleton, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Hudhail Al-Amir, Lloyd Avery II
Rated R

Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 American coming-of-age hood drama film written and directed by John Singleton. It stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long, and Angela Bassett. Set in South Central Los Angeles, the film follows three young men who come of age and must face the reality of street life, violence, and the difficult decisions they must make in order to survive. Tre (Gooding Jr.), an aspiring college student and the son of a single mother, strives to stay away from the temptations of street life. Ricky (Chestnut), a gifted athlete and Tre's best friend, struggles between his father's expectations and his own desire to live a better life. And Doughboy (Ice Cube), Tre's half-brother, is a Crip gang member whose anger threatens to destroy any chance he has of succeeding in life. Through their friendship and the guidance of their fathers, these three boys navigate the complexities of life and the difficult choices they must make in order to survive the 'hood.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jim Broadbent
Rated R

Gangs of New York is a 2002 historical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and set in the mid-19th century in the Five Points district of New York City. The story centers on an Irish American street gang called the “Dead Rabbits” and their bitter rivalry with the “Nativist” gang. The gang wars are a backdrop to the main story which revolves around the revenge sought by Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) for the murder of his father at the hands of Bill “The Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis). Amsterdam seeks to avenge his father’s death by taking control of the Five Points and defeating the Nativists. As Amsterdam goes on his quest for revenge, he also discovers a dark secret about his father that changes his perspective and leads him to a path of redemption. The film provides an insight into life in New York’s underworld during the mid-19th century and explores themes of immigration, race, crime, and patriotism.

From Walter Hill, starring Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler
Rated R

The Warriors is a cult classic action film from 1979 that follows a group of nine street gang members who are falsely accused of killing a respected gang leader. After being framed for the murder, the Warriors must travel from the Bronx to their home turf in Coney Island, fighting their way through the rival gangs of New York City to clear their names. Along the way, they must battle against corrupt police officers, gangsters, and an organized crime syndicate. Despite their limited resources, the Warriors must rely on their loyalty to each other in order to survive the night and prove their innocence.

From Directors: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes, starring Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, June Kyoto Lu, Toshi Toda
Rated R

Menace II Society is a 1993 American coming-of-age hood film directed by the Hughes brothers. It follows the life of Caine Lawson, a street-smart teen growing up in the crime-ridden neighborhoods of Watts and South Central Los Angeles. Caine is caught between the values of his good-hearted grandmother and the criminal path chosen by his best friend, O-Dog. As Caine tries to navigate the dangerous streets, gang culture, and police brutality, he finds himself in situations that range from humorous to deadly. The film illustrates the struggles and choices of growing up in an environment entrenched in violence and poverty. Ultimately, Caine must decide who he is and choose a path for his future.

From Lexi Alexander, starring Elijah Wood, Charlie Hunnam, Claire Forlani, Marc Warren
Rated R

From Philip Kaufman, starring Ken Wahl, Karen Allen, John Friedrich, Toni Kalem
Rated R

From Rick Rosenthal, starring Sean Penn, Reni Santoni, Jim Moody, Eric Gurry
Rated R

From Tony Bill, starring Chris Makepeace, Adam Baldwin, Matt Dillon, Paul Quandt
Rated PG

From Edward James Olmos, starring Edward James Olmos, William Forsythe, Sal Lopez, Vira Montes
Rated R

From Andrew Dominik, starring Eric Bana, Simon Lyndon, Vince Colosimo, Renée Brack
Rated R

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Dennis Hopper
Rated R

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze
Rated PG

From Stephen Milburn Anderson, starring Glenn Plummer, Byron Minns, Lexie Bigham, Vincent Craig Dupree
Rated R

From Geoffrey Wright, starring Russell Crowe, Daniel Pollock, Jacqueline McKenzie, Alex Scott
Rated R

From Dennis Hopper, starring Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, Maria Conchita Alonso, Randy Brooks
Rated R

From Mario Van Peebles, starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Allen Payne, Chris Rock
Rated R

From Mark L. Lester, starring Perry King, Merrie Lynn Ross, Timothy Van Patten, Roddy McDowall
Rated R