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The Outsiders (1983)

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They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.

When two poor Greasers, Johnny and Ponyboy, are assaulted by a vicious gang, the Socs, and Johnny kills one of the attackers, tension begins to mount between the two rival gangs, setting off a turbulent chain of events.

Francis Ford Coppola

S.E. Hinton

Kathleen Rowell

Top Billed Cast

C. Thomas Howell

Ponyboy Curtis

Matt Dillon

Dallas Winston

Ralph Macchio

Johnny Cade

Patrick Swayze

Darrel Curtis

Sodapop Curtis

Emilio Estevez

Two-Bit Matthews

Steve Randle

Glenn Withrow

Tim Shepard

Cherry Valance

Full Cast & Crew

• Discussions 4

A review by CinemaSerf

Written by cinemaserf on june 8, 2023.

Hmmm. Francis Ford Coppola has creatively produced a piece of superbly photographed and frequently quite intimate observational cinema here this is far more remarkable for it's casting than for anything especially innovative about the story or the characterisations. Indeed had seven of this cast not gone on to great and good things - to varying degrees - then I'm afraid I can't think this film would rate much better than as an interesting, "West Side Story" style derivate with neither the style nor the personalities. It is essentially a gang enmity film - the "Greasers" consisting of those at t... read the rest.

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Status Released

Original Language English

Budget $10,000,000.00

Revenue $33,697,647.00

• street gang
• based on novel or book
• children's home
• coming of age
• juvenile delinquent
• tulsa, oklahoma
• based on young adult novel

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Francis Ford Coppola shares The Outsiders audition footage, with young Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, and more

The audition process for the 1983 film asked each actor to read lines for every role.

Francis Ford Coppola is celebrating The Outsiders with an adorable blast from Hollywood's past.

More than 40 years after its release, the 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton's classic novel remains highly regarded, in part because of the many young cast members who would go on to achieve major success. In honor of those star-making performances, the film's director shared footage of the auditions that started it all — including the likes of Patrick Swayze , Tom Cruise , Emilio Estevez , Diane Lane , Ralph Macchio , Matt Dillon , and Rob Lowe .

"42 years ago we cast The Outsiders in a unique way," Coppola wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday. "We had all the actors together on a soundstage and would alternate different actors reading for different roles."

He continued: "It was interesting because each of them was watching their competition, so while it could've been a volatile situation, it turned into a very positive one. There emerged the natural respect and sense of colleagueship among them. The result worked beautifully and reminded me of my days as a camp counselor."

As promised, the footage features the actors reading the parts of various characters from the coming-of-age story, including roles they wouldn't go on to play. Anthony Michael Hall appears in one audition tape, reading for the role of main character Ponyboy — ultimately, it was C. Thomas Howell who booked the part.

A few of the stars chimed in with comments on Coppola's post, reminiscing about the experience. "The people that came to these auditions… so many went on to have great careers," Howell wrote. "Amazing."

"These auditions and this film experience still inform me today," Macchio wrote, thanking the Oscar-winning filmmaker, while Lowe added, "Feels like this was just yesterday!" 

Everett Collection

The film, like the novel, revolves around rival teen gangs in a rural Oklahoma town: the poor Greasers and the wealthy Socs. After Ponyboy and Johnny (Macchio) get into a deadly brawl, they're forced to go into hiding as both gangs come to terms with the consequences of their violent lives. 

The Outsiders stars previously spoke of the intense audition process, filled to the brim with up-and-coming talent, while reflecting on the experience for EW's 2021 oral history of the movie . 

"Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Dennis Quaid, Mickey Rourke… it was a movie everybody wanted to be in," Macchio recalled. "Leif Garrett was probably the most famous guy who walked in."

Garrett, who eventually landed the role of Bob Sheldon, remarked, "It was all day long, and it was a process of elimination. I really wanted to be Ponyboy, because that's the role. But I wasn't right for it. I'm not that greasy."

Coppola concluded, "It was competitive. But it only spurred them on."

Footage of the auditions was also included as bonus material in previous home-video releases. You can watch the clips shared by Coppola above.

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly 's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Related content:

• Stay gold with your first look at The Outsiders Broadway musical
• Angelina Jolie hires 15-year-old daughter as assistant for Broadway production of The Outsiders
• S.E. Hinton on The Outsiders ' 50th anniversary: 'I could never be that un-self-conscious again'
• An oral history of The Outsiders

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The Outsiders (1983)

S.E. Hinton's best-selling classic, starting Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, Matt Dillon, Lowe, and Emilio Estevez. Directed by Ford Coppola.

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Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather films) directs an all-star cast in the big-screen adaptation S.E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age novel The Outsiders. Early 1960s. Tulsa, Oklahoma. The city is divided between teenagers who have grown up with wealth and privilege and the rough-edged "greasers" from the wrong side of the tracks. The greasers yearn for the life they see on the other side of town, but the rich kids want to keep them in their places. Then, one greaser dares cross the line to talk, and to dream of more, with a girl from across the tracks . . . an action that can only lead to conflict on a hot, steamy night.

Cast and crew

Francis Ford Coppola

S.E. Hinton

C. Thomas Howell

Matt Dillon

Ralph Macchio

Patrick Swayze

Emilio Estevez

Glenn Withrow

Leif Garrett

Darren Dalton

Michelle Meyrink

Gailard Sartain

William Smith

Tom Hillmann

Hugh Walkinshaw

Sofia Coppola

Teresa Wilkerson Hunt

Linda Nystedt

Brent Beesley

Daniel R. Suhart

Kathleen Rowell

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Outsiders, The (DVD)

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Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather films) directs an all-star cast in the big-screen adaptation S.E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age novel The Outsiders. Early 1960s. Tulsa, Oklahoma. The city is divided between teenagers who have grown up with wealth and privilege and the rough-edged "greasers" from the wrong side of the tracks. The greasers yearn for the life they see on the other side of town, but the rich kids want to keep them in their places. Then, one greaser dares cross the line to talk, and to dream of more, with a girl from across the tracks . . . an action that can only lead to conflict on a hot, steamy night.

Director Francis Coppola's adaptation of the popular S.E. Hinton novel about the price of rebellious youth is notable chiefly for the stunning cast of young actors who went on to rich and varied careers. In supporting roles, the film features the likes of Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Tom Waits, among others. The story centers on two rival gangs in the early 1960s Midwest, and the violent turf wars that escalate and tragically claim young lives. C. Thomas Howell plays the central character who yearns to prove himself and be accepted by his older brothers' gang, while at the same time finding his first love and dreaming of a life beyond his dead end existence. Geared toward the teenage crowd, the film nonetheless features some fine direction from Coppola in a story that evokes memories of the classic coming-of-age films of the 1950s. --Robert Lane

Product details

• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.75 inches; 2.08 ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 42281
• Director ‏ : ‎ Francis Ford Coppola
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Surround Sound, Multiple Formats, Widescreen, Subtitled, Full Screen, Dolby
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 31 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ September 2, 2008
• Actors ‏ : ‎ C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, French
• Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 4.0), Unqualified
• Studio ‏ : ‎ WarnerBrothers
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001BGS16W
• Writers ‏ : ‎ Kathleen Knutsen Rowell, S. E. Hinton
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
• #5,171 in Drama DVDs

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The Outsiders Cast: Where Are They Now?

Stars including Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon and Patrick Swayze starred in 'The Outsiders'

Keith Langston is a contributing writer at PEOPLE. He has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. His work has previously appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Insider and Digital Trends.

Warner Brothers/Alamy

Kids all across the U.S. have grown up reading S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel The Outsiders, which tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his gang of friends, known as the Greasers. Ponyboy and his friends encounter loss and grief and learn right from wrong.

Many schools also show Francis Ford Coppola ’s 1983 film adaptation, making The Outsiders an integral part of modern American culture — even 40 years after its release.

Virtually every young star of the film would become a massive Hollywood star with careers that have spanned decades. The young cast, which included Tom Cruise , Matt Dillon , Rob Lowe , Patrick Swayze and Diane Lane , was a who’s-who of the decade’s rising talent.

But what are the stars up to now? Here’s what to know about the Outsiders cast today.

C. Thomas Howell as Ponyboy Curtis

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett ; Jason Mendez/Getty

C. Thomas Howell , 56, played Ponyboy Curtis, the Outsiders ’ protagonist. Ponyboy is a young Greaser who gets jumped by a rival gang, the Socs, instigating a deadly rivalry.

The Outsiders was Howell’s first starring role after having a small part in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial the year prior. Throughout the rest of the ‘80s and into the ‘90s, Howell landed other lead roles in hits such as Red Dawn (1984), Soul Man (1986) and Gettysburg (1993).

In more recent years, Howell has been seen in recurring roles on TV series like Southland (2009–2013), Animal Kingdom (2016–2018) and The Walking Dead (2018–2021).

In 2022, Howell released his first-ever single titled “Rose Hill” under the name Tommy Howell. When speaking to PEOPLE, Howell said he was inspired to write the song while walking through the Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia, where members of the Allman Brothers Band are buried. “As I was standing there, I couldn't help but think how it wouldn't be bad to just lay down right there, jam with the Allmans and listen to the trains go by down by the river,” he said. “That's how this song was born."

Howell will next star alongside Dennis Quaid in the film Reagan , a Ronald Reagan biopic. Howell will star as Reagan’s secretary of defense, Caspar Weinberger.

Ralph Macchio as Johnny Cade

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett ; Sean Zanni/Getty 

Ralph Macchio , 61, played Johnny Cade, Ponyboy’s friend who kills one of the Socs after they’re attacked one night.

The Outsiders was Macchio’s first major acting role. Speaking to Drew Barrymore on her show in 2022, he recalled the movie’s “unnerving” audition process. “Every actor was in one big soundstage … with all the actors sitting around the perimeter, and Francis would call different actors to read different roles and would mix and match,” he said.

Macchio continued: “You’re already sweating because you’re in the room with one of the great filmmakers and storytellers in American cinema history. Everybody wants to be in this movie because they love the book, and yet you’re watching everyone’s audition and watching the reaction of the director. … It was really important for him to mix and match and see the chemistry because these boys all knew each other and had history together.”

The following year, Macchio would find further success as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984). Over the next decade, Macchio landed leading roles, starring in The Karate Kid ’s two sequels in 1986 and 1989 and joining Joe Pesci in the hit comedy My Cousin Vinny (1992).

In 2018, Macchio returned to the “Miyagiverse” for the series Cobra Kai , reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso. In January 2023, Netflix announced that Cobra Kai ’s sixth and final season was on the way.

Off-screen, Macchio has been married to Phyllis Fierro since 1987. The couple met at a party when Macchio was just 15. In a 2021 interview with PEOPLE, Macchio recalled the party: "This is 1970 or whatever, so this is Cheez Doodles, 7Up, Tootsie Rolls, probably the Ruffles with onion dip,” he said. “She was a friend of my cousin, and we just smiled and talked and danced a little. Probably the Hustle!" The couple have two children, Julia and Daniel .

Matt Dillon as Dallas “Dally” Winston

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett ; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

Matt Dillon, 59, played Dallas “Dally” Winston, one of the older Greasers who is hardened from his previous life of crime and poverty in New York City.

A few years before The Outsiders , Dillon had made a name for himself in movies including Little Darlings (1980) and Tex (1982). After starring as one of the Greasers, Dillon’s career flourished over the next two decades, and he landed starring roles in movies like The Flamingo Kid (1984), There’s Something About Mary (1998), Wild Things (1998) and Crash (2005). Next up, Dillon will star in Wes Anderson ’s Asteroid City .

In 2022, Dillon appeared on Danny Pellegrino’s podcast Everything Iconic , where he recalled his fond memories of working on The Outsiders . “I think everyone got along great when we made the film, but I was closest I think with Tommy [Cruise] and with Ralph because we had a lot of scenes together,” he said. “But we all got along. … It’s a very familial atmosphere, working with [Coppola].”

Off-screen, Dillon has been dating actress and dancer Roberta Mastromichele since 2014.

Patrick Swayze as Darrel “Darry” Curtis

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett ; Barry Brecheisen/WireImage

Patrick Swayze starred as Darrel “Darry” Curtis, the oldest Curtis brother who raises his brothers Ponyboy and Sodapop after the death of their parents.

The Outsiders was Swayze’s first major role, but throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, he became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, thanks to his leading roles in blockbuster hits including Dirty Dancing (1987), Road House (1989), Ghost (1990) and Point Break (1992). Swayze continued acting into the 2000s, working on smaller indie projects and straight-to-video releases.

In 2008, Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and initially had an encouraging prognosis; in March of that year, Swayze’s doctor said, “Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far.”

A year later, tabloids began reporting that Swayze’s health was in decline, but the actor denied the reports, telling PEOPLE in part, “Once again, I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment.”

On Sept. 14, 2009, Swayze died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. His reps told PEOPLE, “Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months.”

Swayze married dancer and choreographer Lisa Niemi in 1975 and remained with her until his death. In 2023, Niemi told the Today show that she still loved him . "Just because somebody's gone doesn't end your relationship with them,” she said. “We spent 34 years together, and that's always going to be a part of my life and who I am."

Rob Lowe as Sodapop Curtis

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett ; Rich Polk/Getty

Rob Lowe, 59, played Sodapop Curtis, the middle brother of Darry and Ponyboy, who often made jokes to mask his true emotions.

The Outsiders was Lowe’s first major film, which launched him straight into the Brat Pack. He starred in films including St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) and Wayne’s World (1992). He’s also had leading roles on TV shows including The West Wing (1999–2003) and Parks and Recreation (2010–2015), and he currently stars on 9-1-1: Lone Star , which premiered in 2020.

In 1991, Lowe married Sheryl Berkoff and the couple have been together since. They have two sons : Matthew Edward, a businessman, and John Owen , an actor. In early 2023, Lowe and his son John starred side by side in the Netflix comedy series Unstable .

Both 9-1-1: Lone Star and Unstable have been renewed for more seasons.

Emilio Estevez as Keith “Two-Bit” Matthews

Emilio Estevez , 61, played Keith “Two-Bit” Matthews, one of the Greasers and a good friend to the Curtis brothers.

Like much of the cast, The Outsiders was Estevez’s first major role, but it was far from his last. He went on to star in films like The Breakfast Club (1985), St. Elmo’s Fire (1986), Young Guns (1988) and The Mighty Ducks (1992).

Estevez also comes from a famous Hollywood family. His father is Martin Sheen , known for his roles in The West Wing and Grace and Frankie , and his brother is Charlie Sheen from Two and a Half Men .

In his personal life, Estevez dated model Carey Salley on and off throughout the ‘80s. The pair had two children, son Taylor Estevez and daughter Paloma Estevez. He was also briefly engaged to Demi Moore in 1986 and was married to dancer and singer Paula Abdul from 1992 to 1994. In 2006, he became engaged to journalist Sonja Magdevski, with whom he started a winery. They have since ended their relationship.

In May 2023, Estevez confirmed to Uproxx that he wrote Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid , the third installment in the Young Guns franchise. The release date has yet to be announced.

Tom Cruise as Steve Randle

Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy ; JC Olivera/Getty

Tom Cruise, 60, played Steve Randle, a member of the Greasers and Sodapop’s best friend who works with him at a gas station.

Though The Outsiders was Cruise’s first major film, he would shoot to fame just a few months later when Risky Business premiered. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Cruise continued to star in hit movies such as Top Gun (1986), Rain Man (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Mission: Impossible (1996) and Jerry Maguire (1996).

In recent years, Cruise has continued to star in blockbuster hits, including the Mission: Impossible sequels , the Jack Reacher franchise and Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Cruise has been married three times, most recently to actress Katie Holmes from 2006 to 2012 with whom he had daughter Suri Cruise , born in April 2006.

Before Holmes, Cruise was married to Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990 and to Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001. He and Kidman welcomed two children , Isabella Jane and Connor Antony .

Diane Lane as Sherri “Cherry” Valance

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett ; Paul Morigi/Getty

Diane Lane, 58, played Sherri “Cherry” Valance, a Soc girl and Ponyboy’s crush. Throughout the novel and film, she tries to de-escalate the tension between the Greasers and the Socs.

Before starring in The Outsiders , Lane already had a few notable roles under her belt, including starring opposite Kenny Rogers in Six Pack (1982). Though Lane continued acting throughout the ‘80s, her biggest roles came in the 1990s and 2000s when she starred in movies such as Judge Dredd (1995) and The Perfect Storm (2000). In 2003, she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Unfaithful (2002).

She eventually joined the DC Extended Universe as Martha Kent, Superman’s adoptive mother, in Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017).

During a 2017 Radio Andy interview, Lane recalled Coppola’s unique tactics to ensure tension between the actors portraying the Greasers and Socs. Coppola kept the two groups separated throughout filming and, according to Lane, the actors playing the Socs “actually got a little more [money] per diem” to help flare tensions between the two groups.

Off-screen, Lane was married to actor Christopher Lambert from 1988 to 1994. She and Lambert had a daughter, Eleanor Jasmine Lambert, in September 1993. Lane was later married to actor Josh Brolin from 2004 to 2013.

According to Deadline , Lane will star as American socialite and fashionista Slim Keith in season 2 of FX’s anthology series Feud . The new season, titled Capote’s Women , will feature a star-studded cast to portray controversial author Truman Capote and his entourage of conniving socialites. Tom Hollander will play Capote and Naomi Watts , Chloë Sevigny and Calista Flockhart will also star.

Leif Garrett as Bob Sheldon

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett ; Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Leif Garrett , 61, played Bob Sheldon, Sherri’s boyfriend who, along with some other Socs, attacks Ponyboy and Johnny. Johnny stabs Bob in self-defense, ultimately killing him.

Before The Outsiders , Garrett had established himself as a musician best known for hits like “I Was Made for Dancin’ ” and “Feel the Need," and had starred in films like Walking Tall (1973) and God’s Gun (1976).

After his two hit albums in the late ‘70s, Garrett’s music career slowed down. After The Outsiders , he appeared in the now-cult classic Cheerleader Camp (1987) and the David Spade comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003).

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Garrett lived with drug addiction. He went to rehab in 1999 to avoid jail time. In 2006, Garrett was arrested for possession and avoided jail time again by agreeing to enter a “much more intense” treatment facility, per the BBC . There, he was sent to jail for a drug violation after he tested positive for drugs while at the treatment facility. He was arrested for possession again in 2010 and joined the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab later that year.

In 2019, he released a book, Idol Truth: A Memoir , chronicling his life as a former child star and his journey to sobriety. In early 2020, Garrett told Fox News that he was sober. “Right now, I’m just taking things one day at a time,” he said. “I’m not in jail and I’m not in rehab. It took a long time to get to a point where I don’t have to self-medicate myself to escape the pain. That feels good. Hard drugs are a difficult thing, especially if you’ve done it for a while. I play music because I love it. I will always love it.”

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Watch Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, and Patrick Swayze's Auditions for 'The Outsiders'

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The Big Picture

• Francis Ford Coppola shared original auditions on Instagram for The Outsiders cast, including Tom Cruise.
• The movie adaptation of S.E. Hinton's 1963 novel The Outsiders stars Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and an all-star ensemble.
• The film was critically acclaimed, and became a cult classic.

Francis Ford Coppola may be planning for the future with his sci-fi epic Megalopolis , but the legendary director has also been feeling nostagic, taking to Instagram to share the original tapes that landed a young cast of unknown actors roles in his film, The Outsiders . The audition clips show off the charmingly/alarmingly — depending on old you are are while reading this — youthful appearances of Tom Cruise , Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez , and Ralph Macchio as they rehearsed lines together for the 1983 film. Sadly, it seems that Coppola's casting was simply a one-off, and none of them would go onto any success in acting, with their fame only fleeting.

Adapted from S.E. Hinton's 1963 novel , The Outsiders narrates the story of a group of adolescent boys in Oklahoma, known as the “Greasers”, who are perpetually in conflict with their more blue-blooded enemies, the “Socials”. The tension escalates when a clash between the two factions results in the death of a Social, forcing the Greasers into hiding. This series of events leads some of them to face tragic fates. Coppola shared the audition tapes with the following caption.

“42 years ago we cast The Outsiders in a unique way. We had all the actors together on a soundstage and would alternate different actors reading for different roles. It was interesting because each of them was watching their competition, so while it could’ve been a volatile situation, it turned into a very positive one. There emerged the natural respect and sense of colleagueship among them. The result worked beautifully and reminded me of my days as a camp counselor.”

What Characters Are in 'The Outsiders'?

In The Outsiders , Cruise took on the role of Steve Randle , a steadfast member of the Greasers gang. Swayze played the character of Darrel "Darry" Curtis, the responsible eldest Curtis sibling and guardian to his younger brothers, while the eternally handsome Lowe took on the role of Sodapop Curtis, the middle brother celebrated for his attractiveness and charm. Howell played the lead, Ponyboy Curtis, the youngest of the Curtis brothers and the film's narrator, while Dillon portrayed Dallas "Dally" Winston.

Lane was cast as Sherri "Cherry" Valance, a Soc girl who forms an unlikely connection with Ponyboy and Johnny. Estevez brought to life Keith "Two-Bit" Matthews, the comic relief of the movie, to an extend, and Macchio rounded out the ensemble as Johnny Cade, portraying Ponyboy's best friend and a tender-hearted member of the gang.

The movie was mostly well received critically , and was particularly praised for its stellar performances. At the box office, it raked in $25.7 million against a production budget of $10 million. With time, it has developed a dedicated cult following. The Outsiders can be streamed on Paramount+.

The Outsiders

Set in a small town, a group of underprivileged teenagers known as the Greasers constantly clash with the affluent Socs. The stark contrast in their socioeconomic statuses leads to a tragic chain of events, testing the bonds of friendship and the notion of loyalty among the Greasers.

Watch on Paramount+

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'The Outsiders' Cast Then and Now: See Where They Are Today

In 1983, a group of unknown actors starred in the Francis Ford Coppola film, The Outsiders , a movie based on the 1967 book by author S.E. Hinton. The cast quickly became teenage heartthrobs. Set in a small town in Oklahoma in 1964, the film centers on a bitter rivalry between two different groups of friends, the Greasers, who come from broken homes on the poor side of the tracks, and the Socs, who are born into wealth and privilege. Shot in Tulsa, The Outsiders was a low-budget film that became a box office success, thanks in large part to a cast of charismatic actors who soon became household names.

The Outsiders continues to be a timeless classic as schools across the country have put the book on its required reading list. The book and movie's lessons about acceptance, the impact of hatred and anger, and the significance of staying true to yourself remain just as relevant today as they were when the film was released 40 years ago. Here's a look back at the unforgettable cast of the powerful coming-of-age story.

Tom Cruise as Steve Randle

Although Tom Cruise got bit by the acting bug in high school, he briefly diverted onto a different path when he enrolled in seminary school to become a Catholic priest. After reportedly getting kicked out, Cruise jetted off to New York and then Los Angeles to pursue a career in show business where he landed small roles in the movies Taps and Endless Love before getting his big break as Steve Randle in The Outsiders .

That performance (and his good looks) lead to bigger roles in Risky Business and All the Right Moves. In 1986, Cruise starred in the blockbuster Top Gun as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and then went on to headline the Mission Impossible movie series in the '90s. He was also in The Color of Money with Paul Newman , A Few Good Men with Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson, and Jerry Maguire with Cuba Gooding Jr. In 2022 Cruise produced and starred in the Top Gun sequel Top Gun: Maverick , which made over $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of his long career.

Like his Top Gun persona, Cruise is also a real-life pilot and got his license to fly in 1994. Now 61, he's long been one of the world's highest-paid actors, and he's kept a devoted fanbase despite his often-tumultuous personal life.

Matt Dillon as Dallas "Dally" Winston

Who knew cutting class in school could be the lucky ticket to stardom? That just so happens to be how Matt Dillon was discovered. After making his big-screen debut at 14, in the 1979 film Over the Edge , Dillon was cast in back-to-back roles, first as Kristy McNichols on-screen love interest in the film Little Darlings and then as a bully in My Bodyguard .

In 1982, Dillon went on to star in the first of three movies based on books by S.E. Hilton, Tex, Rumble Fish and then The Outsiders . Other Hollywood films quickly followed including The Flamingo Kid, Drugstore Cowboy, Singles, There’s Something About Mary, and You, Me and Dupree . In 2006, he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as an LA police officer in the powerful drama Crash .

Now 59, Dillon has branched into directing. In 2002, he directed and starred in The City of Ghosts and in 2020 he directed a documentary about musician Francisco Fellove. Most recently, in 2023, Dillon had a recurring role in the Apple+ series, High Desert with Patricia Arquette, and appeared in the movie Asteroid City , from acclaimed director Wes Anderson.

Emilio Estevez as Keith "Two-Bit" Matthews

Emilio Estevez might have struck the Hollywood lottery by being the son of actor Martin Sheen and the brother of Charlie Sheen, but he was determined to make it on his own, and used the last name Estevez (his famous father's legal last name) to establish his own identity in the industry.

Estevez appeared with Dillon in the 1982 film Tex , and then reunited with him as Two-Bit Matthews in The Outsiders . The actor’s winning streak continued with era-defining '80s classics like The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire and quirkier fare from the decade like Repo Man , Stakeout , and Young Guns .

In the '90s, Estevez found success starring in sequels for Young Guns and Stakeout . He also was in Men at Work and The Mighty Ducks . Despite his many on-camera achievements, Estevez always hoped to be a director. He directed his first film, Wisdom , in which he starred with his then-girlfriend Demi Moore.

Estevez continued to direct movies and TV shows into the '90s and '00s . Now 61, he directed The Public , starring Alec Baldwin and Christian Slater, in 2018, and he reportedly has a new movie in pre-production.

Leif Garrett as Bob Sheldon

Best-known as a '70s teen musical idol, Leif Garrett also has a number of acting credits under his belt. As a child actor Garrett appeared on popular TV shows The Odd Couple and Gunsmoke and movies like  Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice and Walking Tall .

In 1977, Garrett dropped his first single off his self-titled album and one year later released a second album, with a track called, “I Was Made for Dancin',” that reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. After starring in a TV special called Leif with Marie Osmond, Brooke Shields and Bob Hope, Garrett was tapped to play a bad-boy Soc named Bob in The Outsiders .

By the '90s, Garrett began to shy away from acting and focus more on his music. He hosted the VH1 series 8-Track Flashback from 1995 to 1996. In 2005, he competed on the reality series Celebrity Fear Factor , where he won $50,000. In 2010 he appeared on the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, where he spoke openly about his past drug use and several brushes with the law for DWI and drug possession. Now 61, Garrett is still kicking, and in 2020, he told  Closer Weekly  that he was sober and  working on a screenplay and book , as well as trying to get more film and TV work.

C. Thomas Howell as Ponyboy Curtis

C. Thomas Howell ’s original plan was to become a Hollywood stuntman like his father but after getting a few small acting jobs, including a part in TV commercial, Howell was picked to play actor Robert McNaughton’s buddy Tyler in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 blockbuster hit, E.T. (Click through to read about the E.T cast reunion in 2022).

The following year, Tinseltown came calling again and Howell landed the central role of Ponyboy Curtis in The Outsiders . Since then, the now 56-year-old actor has been in films like Red Dawn, Gettysburg, The Hitcher, Soul Man, The Hitchhiker, Dangerous Indiscretion and Because We’re Family . On the small screen, Howell has been a recurring guest character on the shows Stitchers, The Terror, Criminal Minds and The Walking Dead . Howell has also directed the low-budget films The Day the Earth Stopped, The Land That Time Forgot and War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave.

Diane Lane as Sherrie "Cherry" Valance

Diane Lane 's career began at just 14 years old, when she was cast alongside Laurence Olivier in A Little Romance. Other roles quickly followed, but The Outsiders provided her breakout. As Cherry Valance, Garrett’s on-screen girlfriend who befriends Ponyboy against her beau’s wishes, she was one of only women in the film. That same year, Lane reunited with Coppola, Hinton, and Dillon to star in the adaptation of Rumble Fish . Lane’s talents also earned her roles in Streets of Fire, The Cotton Club, The Big Town, The Setting Sun, Chaplin, Judge Dredd, A Walk on the Moon, My Dog Skip, The Perfect Storm, and Hardball .

In 2002 she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Unfaithful . In this steamy thriller, she played a woman who becomes enthralled in a hot love affair with a New York City book dealer. Lane’s other buzzworthy credits include Under the Tuscan Sun, Must Love Dogs, Hollywoodland, Man of Steele, and Let Him Go. Now 58, Lane will soon be starring as midcentury socialite Slim Keith in anthology series Feud .

Rob Lowe as Sodapop Curtis

Rob Lowe got his first taste of Hollywood when he was cast on the ABC series A New Kind of Family at 15. Although the show was short-lived, he was soon on a roll, and became one of the biggest heartthrobs of the '80s. After being cast as the middle Curtis brother, Sodapop, in The Outsiders , Lowe went on to star in Class with Andrew McCarthy, The Hotel New Hampshire with Jodie Foster, Oxford Blues with Ally Sheedy and St. Elmo’s Fire with former co-stars and '80s icons, Sheedy, Estevez, McCarthy, and future co-star Demi Moore, whom Lowe acted alongside in one year later in About Last Night .

Lowe rode the wave of success as a member of the so-called "Brat Pack" of the era, alongside Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy and Robert Downey Jr. By the '90s, Lowe decided to switch things up and head back to his TV roots where he starred on the NBC series, The West Wing alongside Martin Sheen (Estevez’s real-life father) . Lowe then starred in the drama Brothers and Sisters and the sitcom Parks and Recreation . Now 59, Lowe currently stars in the procedural series, 9-1-1: Lone Star and stays busy as a brand spokesman and podcaster.

Ralph Macchio as Johnny Cade

Before he became The Karate Kid , Ralph Macchio , was a tap dance kid! Macchio spent much of his childhood as a talented dancer, and was discovered by a talent agent while performing in a recital. After appearing in a few commercials, Macchio landed a recurring role on ABC’s hit series, Eight Is Enough . Smaller roles followed until casting for The Outsiders began and Macchio scored the role of Johnny Cade.

In 1984, Macchio starred as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid , and he reprised the role in the film’s two sequels, in 1986 and 1989. He also had a notable role in My Cousin Vinny , alongside Joe Pesci and Marissa Tomei. Now 61, Macchio continued to appear in film and TV in the '90s and '00s, and starting in 2018, he once again played Daniel LaRusso in the Netflix series, Cobra Kai , a continuation of The Karate Kid that's brought him a new generation of fans. The show was recently renewed for its sixth and final season.

Patrick Swayze as Darrel "Darry" Curtis

Nobody puts Swayze in the corner. Before landing on the big screen in the 1979 film Skatetown U.S.A ., Patrick Swayze was studying ballet before being picked as Danny Zuko in the replacement cast of Grease on Broadway. In 1983, Swayze played Darrel, the eldest of the three Curtis brothers in The Outsiders . He was also tapped for six episodes on the TV series, The Renegades . In 1984, Swayze went on to star in the movie Red Dawn opposite his future Dirty Dancing co-star Jennifer Grey.

In 1987, Swayze and Grey found themselves together again in the romantic drama, Dirty Dancing , where Swayze not only showed off his killer moves but also sang the film’s hit single, “She’s Like the Wind,” which climbed to number three on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Following the success of Dirty Dancing, Swayze went on to star in the romantic drama Ghost , alongside Demi Moore. He also acted in cult movies like Road House , Point Break and Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. In 1991, People named Swayze “The Sexiest Man Alive.” Sadly, in 2009 Swayze died of cancer at just 57 years old, and his charming screen presence is missed by many.

Click through for more about your favorite '80s screen stars:

Jamie Lee Curtis Movies: A Look Back At the Scream Queen’s Most Memorable Roles

Michelle Pfeiffer Young: A Look Back Through Her Glamorous Hollywood Evolution

Mark Harmon Young: A Look Back at How the Handsome ‘NCIS’ Star Got His Start

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‘The Outsiders’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Stay golden. Ralph Macchio , Rob Lowe , Patrick Swayze and more transformed into ‘60s teens for Francis Ford Coppola’s big screen adaptation of The Outsiders .

The coming-of-age drama, based on S. E. Hinton ‘s classic novel of the same name, hit theaters in March 1983 and helped to kickstart the careers of several of its stars. In particular, Macchio received rave reviews for his turn as Johnny Cade in the battle of the Greasers and Socs.

“I read the book when I was 12 years old in seventh-grade English class. It was the first book that I ever finished cover to cover,” the Karate Kid actor told Parade in 2017. “S.E. Hinton — like J.K. Rowling of today — started a lot of young kids reading in school. I was immediately connected to it.”

Macchio was drawn to Johnny before even being cast in the project. “I always felt [Johnny] sounded like I looked,” he recalled. “Big puppy dog eyes, dark hair. He was the runt. I was never the biggest guy in class. But I didn’t come from his backstory by any stretch. … Johnny was a kid whose mother was an alcoholic. His father was abusive, and home was the last place he wanted to be. Those were the challenges, but I embraced them.”

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Lowe, for his part, looked back on how Coppola turned Hollywood’s Brat Pack into “wrong side of the tracks guys,” sharing behind-the-scenes secrets with Kelly Clarkson in 2020. “[He] found a bunch of different actual greasers who were now grown-up adults and made us go spend the night and live with them,” the “Literally” podcast host said on The Kelly Clarkson Show at the time. “They came to us at rehearsal and, like, ‘OK, so we’re gonna divide you up. Rob, Tom, you guys are gonna go stay with Bill and Sandy whoever.’ And we just went to their little house and had dinner.”

The costars “ended up in the basement on two cots” — and neither of them were thrilled with the setup. “I mean, who vetted them? Really?” Lowe joked. “Do you think Francis Ford Coppola spent a lot of time vetting these people? I can tell you, he didn’t. He was [sitting] with an espresso and watching some fancy Fellini movie and went, ‘Yeah, yeah that sounds great’ and went back to his espresso.”

Decades after its release, The Outsiders is still widely recognized as an all-time classic film. Scroll down to see what the cast is doing now:

Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

'The Outsiders' Cast: Where Are They Now?

Stay golden. Ralph Macchio , Rob Lowe , Patrick Swayze and more transformed into ‘60s teens for Francis Ford Coppola’s big screen adaptation of The Outsiders . The coming-of-age drama, based on S. E. Hinton 's classic novel of the same name, hit theaters in March 1983 and helped to kickstart the careers of several of its stars. In particular, Macchio received rave reviews for his turn as Johnny Cade in the battle of the Greasers and Socs. “I read the book when I was 12 years old in seventh-grade English class. It was the first book that I ever finished cover to cover,” the Karate Kid actor told Parade in 2017. “S.E. Hinton — like J.K. Rowling of today — started a lot of young kids reading in school. I was immediately connected to it.” Macchio was drawn to Johnny before even being cast in the project. “I always felt [Johnny] sounded like I looked,” he recalled. “Big puppy dog eyes, dark hair. He was the runt. I was never the biggest guy in class. But I didn’t come from his backstory by any stretch. … Johnny was a kid whose mother was an alcoholic. His father was abusive, and home was the last place he wanted to be. Those were the challenges, but I embraced them.” Lowe, for his part, looked back on how Coppola turned Hollywood’s Brat Pack into “wrong side of the tracks guys,” sharing behind-the-scenes secrets with Kelly Clarkson in 2020. “[He] found a bunch of different actual greasers who were now grown-up adults and made us go spend the night and live with them,” the “Literally” podcast host said on The Kelly Clarkson Show at the time. “They came to us at rehearsal and, like, ‘OK, so we’re gonna divide you up. Rob, Tom, you guys are gonna go stay with Bill and Sandy whoever.’ And we just went to their little house and had dinner.” The costars “ended up in the basement on two cots” — and neither of them were thrilled with the setup. “I mean, who vetted them? Really?” Lowe joked. “Do you think Francis Ford Coppola spent a lot of time vetting these people? I can tell you, he didn’t. He was [sitting] with an espresso and watching some fancy Fellini movie and went, ‘Yeah, yeah that sounds great’ and went back to his espresso.” Decades after its release, The Outsiders is still widely recognized as an all-time classic film. Scroll down to see what the cast is doing now:

Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Courtesy of C. Thomas Howell/Instagram

C. Thomas Howell (Ponyboy Curtis)

Before The Outsiders , which earned him a Young Artist Award, Howell made his movie debut in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial . He later appeared in The Hitcher, Grandview U.S.A., Secret Admirer and Red Dawn and was one of the actors considered for the role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future , which ultimately went to Michael J. Fox. More recently, Howell has starred in The Amazing Spider-Man, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and LBJ , with TV roles on Grimm, Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, Animal Kingdom and The Blacklist. The California native previously dated Kyle Richards before marrying Rae Dawn Chong in 1989. The twosome called it quits one year later, and Howell tied the knot with Sylvie Anderson in 1992. They split in 2016.

Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Karl Schoendorfer/Shutterstock

Matt Dillon (Dallas Winston)

Following appearances in There's Something About Mary and Wild Things , Dillon made his directorial debut in 2000 with City of Ghosts . His performance in Crash won him an Independent Spirit Award and earned him nods at both the Oscars and Golden Globes. The New Yorker is a Grammy nominee, gaining recognition in 2001 for narrating Jack Kerouac's On the Road . Dillon has also appeared in Employee of the Month, You, Me and Dupree, Herbie: Fully Loaded and Capone .

Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

Ralph Macchio (Johnny Cade)

Macchio is best known for playing Daniel LaRusso in the original Karate Kid franchise, a role he reprised on Netflix’s Cobra Kai, which began in 2018. He went on to star in ​​ My Cousin Vinny, Crossroads, Hitchcock and Psych: The Movie . On the small screen, the New York native had roles on Ugly Betty, The Deuce and Eight Is Enough . He landed in fourth place with pro Karina Smirnoff on season 12 of Dancing With the Stars in 2011. The Distant Thunder star shares daughter Julia and son Daniel with wife Phyllis Fierro .

Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Paul Hawthorne/Starpix/Shutterstock

Patrick Swayze (Darrel Curtis)

Apart from The Outsiders, Swayze’s most memorable performance was as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing , which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. His popularity grew after 1990’s Ghost , receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame seven years later. Following roles in Point Break, Donnie Darko, One Last Dance and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights , the actor died of pancreatic cancer in 2009. His final film credit was 2009’s Powder Blue . He is survived by wife Lisa Niemi , who wed Albert DePrisco in 2014.  

Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock; MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Rob Lowe (Sodapop Curtis)

A member of the Brat Pack, the Virginia native is known for his work in Oxford Blues, St. Elmo's Fire, About Last Night... and Square Dance . Lowe later turned to television, starring in Aaron Sorkin ’s The West Wing from 1999 to 2003. The Code Black alum has experienced a few ups and downs throughout his career, including a sex tape scandal and a sobriety journey. He made a major comeback with Parks and Recreation , playing Chris Traeger from 2010 to 2014 before joining the cast of 9-1-1: Lone Star in 2020. The Emmy nominee shares sons Matthew and John Owen with wife Sheryl Berkoff . In March 2023, John Owen and his dad teamed up for the Netflix series Unstable , in which they play a father-son duo who work together at a biotech research facility. 

Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Emilio Estevez (Two-Bit Matthews)

Martin Sheen’s son joined Lowe as part of the Brat Pack, also starring in The Breakfast Club and ​​St. Elmo's Fire. The filmmaker is also known for appearing in the Mighty Ducks franchise as hockey coach Gordon Bombay. After three of the sports movies, a series titled The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers debuted on Disney+ in 2021. Estevez raised eyebrows when he exited the show amid rumors he disagreed with the set’s COVID-19 vaccine policy. He later clarified to Deadline that his departure was due to “nothing more than a good old fashioned contract dispute” and “a myriad of creative differences.”

Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock; Carlos Tischler/Eyepix Group/Shutterstock

Tom Cruise (Steve Randle)

A three-time Oscar winner, Cruise is one of the hottest actors in Hollywood, with iconic roles in Top Gun, Risky Business, Jerry Maguire, The Mummy and more. Apart from his work on screen, the New Yorker’s personal life has been making headlines for years. He has been married thrice: to Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990, Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001 and Katie Holmes from 2006 to 2012. Cruise, who is a member of the Church of Scientology, welcomed a daughter with Holmes in 2006 and shares two adopted children —  Isabella (born 1992) and Connor (born 1995) — with Kidman.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Glenn Withrow (Tim Shepard)

Along with The Outsiders, the Kentucky native has worked in movies such as Rumble Fish and Peggy Sue Got Married . He jumped behind the camera in 2012, directing his first full-length feature film, The Mooring. Withrow has been married to Hallie Todd , with whom he shares daughter Ivy, since 1991.

Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Diane Lane (Cherry Valance)

Lane has been a working actress since age 14, making her movie debut in A Little Romance . Other notable credits include The Perfect Storm, Unfaithful, Under the Tuscan Sun, Must Love Dogs, Man of Steel and more. She was previously married to producer Christopher Lambert — with whom she shares daughter Eleanor — from 1988 to 1994 and to Josh Brolin from 2004 to 2013.

Credit: Warner Bros.; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Leif Garrett (Bob Sheldon)

Garrett was a child star and a teen idol, signing a five-album record contract in 1976. Two decades later, he released a greatest hits compilation, The Leif Garrett Collection , which included covers of songs by the Beach Boys, Dion and more. The Fear Factor alum had a number of legal troubles over the years, from personal bankruptcy to driving under the influence. He was arrested several times throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s for drug possession and later dropped out of a court-ordered rehab program. Garrett entered treatment once again in 2010.

Credit: Warner Bros.; Courtesy of Darren Dalton/Twitter

Darren Dalton (Randy Anderson)

After The Outsiders , Dalton starred in Red Dawn alongside Swayze, Howell, Jennifer Grey , Harry Dean Stanton, Charlie Sheen and more. He went on to make guest appearances on TV shows including Quantum Leap and Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman . The Wyoming native was married to Kristin Dalton from 1993 to 2009.

Michelle Meyrink (Marcia)

The Canadian is also known for her work in 1984’s Revenge of the Nerds , but her last acting credit was just four years later in Permanent Record . She lives in Vancouver with her husband, John Dumbrille , and their three children.

Gailard Sartain (Jerry)

The Oklahoma native has been acting in small roles since the 1970s with credits including The Buddy Holly Story, Fried Green Tomatoes and The Replacements . His last known performance was in 2005’s Elizabethtown starring Orlando Bloom , Kirsten Dunst , Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon .

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'The Outsiders' film set in Oklahoma was released 40 years ago. Where is the cast now?

"The Outsiders" served as a kickstart for several future A-list actors, including C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Tom Cruise.

It had its theatrical release on March 24, 1983, and was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and is based on S.E. Hinton novel.

The home where the movie was filmed was restored by Danny Boy O'Connor, formerly of the hip-hop group House of Pain. Several celebrates have taken tours at The Outsiders House Museum, including Leonardo DiCaprio, the band Green Day and "The Outsiders" author and Tulsa native S.E. Hinton.

Here is a look at where the cast of "The Outsiders" are now:

C. Thomas Howell: Michael 'Ponyboy' Curtis

Howell stars as Ponyboy Curtis, a bookish greaser who can quote Robert Frost.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

He is most known for his roles in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Red Dawn," "The Hitcher" and a recurring role as a serial killer in "Criminal Minds."

Nearly 41 years after he journeyed to Tulsa to star as Ponyboy Curtis in the 1983 film "The Outsiders," Howell maintains strong ties to the Sooner State — and a deep love for the iconic movie that supplied just the second role of his almost lifelong acting career.

"I get how some people might feel like, 'Hey, dude, let go of the Ponyboy thing and move on.' I hope I'm never that way. I hope I'm never jaded that way. I love and respect 'The Outsiders' so dearly, and the children come to me and have so many questions," Howell said in a phone interview. "I feel I have a bit of responsibility to the piece in itself, just to respect and to honor it. It would be wrong not to, so I'm grateful for the duty."

'It's a special place': Howell shares love for Oklahoma ahead of release of restored 'Outsiders'

Matt Dillon: Dallas Winston

Dillon stars as Dallas Winston with blue eyes "blazing ice, cold with a hatred of the whole world."

Dillon also starred in the film "Rumble Fish," also set in Oklahoma.

"Rumble Fish" follows a low-level street thug (Dillon) who is trying to live up to his older brother's (Mickey Rourke) reputation. The movie was shot at various locations throughout Oklahoma, but mostly in Tulsa. It is also directed by Coppola and based on Hinton's novel of the same name.

Dillon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Sgt. John Ryan in the 2005 film "Crash." The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture , Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.

His works also include "There's Something About Mary," "The House That Jack Built," "Wild Things" and "You, Me and Dupree."

Cinematic classics: Several iconic films have been made in Oklahoma in the past 100 years

Ralph Macchio: Johnny Cade

Macchio stars as Johnny Cade, a "dark puppy that has been kicked too many times."

He went on to to have a breakout role as Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 film "The Karate Kid." He would reprise his role for "The Karate Kid Part II" and "The Karate Kid Part III." He would also reprise the role in 2018 for the series "Cobra Kai."

He also published a memoir "Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me" in 2022. The book traces the rise of Macchio after the original film's 1984 release.

"The book is always tied into the Daniel LaRusso of it all, ‘The Karate Kid’ journey of it all," Macchio tells USA TODAY. "Even though I talk about ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘My Cousin Vinny,’ and my life and my wife and kids here and there, and the '90s that got a little dry for me after the '80s success."

'It was magic': Ralph Macchio talks 'Cobra Kai,' relationship to Pat Morita in 'Waxing On'

Patrick Swayze: Darrel 'Darry' Curtis

Swayze starred as Darrel Curtis, oldest brother to Ponyboy.

He went on to star as Johnny Castle in “Dirty Dancing,” as Sam Wheat in “Ghost” and as Bodhi in “Point Break.”

"Dirty Dancing" was a cultural phenom that grossed $218 million at the global box office and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

Swayze died of pancreatic cancer at age 57 in 2009. 

“You’re only on this planet for so long,” Swayze says in a 2019 documentary. “You could be dead tomorrow, go for it now.”

Grab your tissues: 5 Patrick Swayze moments in the new documentary that'll give you all the feels

Rob Lowe: Sodapop Curtis

Lowe starred as Sodapop Curtis, the second oldest of the Curtis brothers.

In 1982, Lowe was relatively unknown in Hollywood. But now, he's most known for his roles in "9-1-1: Lone Star," "Parks and Recreation," "The West Wing" and "St. Elmo's Fire."

"I had my 18th birthday here, on the set of 'The Outsiders,'” Lowe told  The Oklahoman and The Associated Press in 2017 .

“Tulsa is where it all started for me,” he said. “I didn't go to college, I went to Tulsa. I left home and this is where I came. I did the movie here and I did a movie after that and a movie after that and a movie after that and that brought me to where I am today.”

Lowe also has a podcast, "Literally! With Rob Lowe," where he interviews celebrities and friends such as Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pratt and LeVar Burton.

'People want the real': Rob Lowe on his new podcast, binge-watching and '9-1-1: Lone Star'

Emilio Estevez: Keith 'Two-Bit' Matthews

Estevez stars as Two-Bit Matthews, a greaser and Steve Randle's bestfriend.

Estevez would go on to star in many '80s films such as "The Breakfast Club," "Young Guns" and "St. Elmo's Fire." He is the son of actor Martin Sheen and brother to Charlie.

In 2021, Estevez stepped back into his role of Gordon Bombay for "The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers," a revival of the '90s movie franchise now streaming on Disney+ .

Decades later, Estevez, remains fond of his role. "I never had a coach like Bombay," he says of the "compassionate father figure."

"I wish I did. And I think that's probably why people connected with the character as they did."

'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers': Emilio Estevez's surly Bombay is 'a guy who's given up'

Tom Cruise: Steve Randle

Cruise stars as Steve Randle, a greaser and Sodapop's best friend.

Cruise is most known for his roles in the films "Top Gun," "Jerry McGuire," the "Mission: Impossible" movie franchise and "The Last Samurai," to name a few.

He also starred opposite Dustin Hoffman in the 1988 film "Rain Man." The movie was filmed in El Reno, Guthrie and other Oklahoma locations. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture , Best Original Screenplay , Best Actor for Hoffman and Best Director for Barry Levinson .

Cruise has received the following Academy Award nominations: Best Actor for "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Jerry Maguire," Best Supporting Actor for "Magnolia" and Best Picture for "Top Gun: Maverick."

He was recently honored with a career achievement award at the 34th annual Producers Guild of America Awards .

"I was certain this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life," Cruise said, recalling that he studied the movie-making process. "I was overwhelmed by what I didn’t know."

Producers Guild Awards honor Tom Cruise, give top prize to 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'

Diane Lane: Sherri 'Cherry' Valance

Lane stars as Cherry, a Soc Cheerleader.

Lane has a long list of credits including "Unfaithful," "Under the Tuscan Sun," "A Streetcar Named Desire," "A Walk on the Moon," "Man of Steel," "Inside Out" and "Rumble Fish."

Lane was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film "Unfaithful."

Francis Ford Coppola: Director

Coppola and Hinton co-wrote the screenplay to her 1975 novel "Rumble Rish" on his days off from filming "The Outsiders." The director made the movies back to back in Tulsa. 

With "The Outsiders," Coppola was able to cast the cream of the crop of Hollywood's young actors, whom he famously auditioned in groups, trying different combinations to get the right dynamic.  

He said he decided to make the film adaptations of Oklahoma author Hinton’s novels after receiving a letter from a class of schoolchildren and their teacher, who said “The Outsiders” was their favorite book and the youngsters had elected him to make a movie of it.

Coppola has been nominated for 55 Academy Awards and has won a total of 5. He won Oscars for "The Godfather," "The Godfather Part II," "Apocalypse Now" and "Bram Stoker's Dracula."

Some of his works include : "The Godfather," "The Godfather Part II," "The Godfather Part II," "Apocalypse Now," "The Rainmaker," "Jack" and "Rumble Fish."

Remaining cast:

• Glenn Withrow portrays Tim Shepard in the film. His last acting credit is a 1990 TV movie "By Dawn's Early Light." He was also cast in the film "Rumble Fish."
• Leif Garret portrays Bob Sheldon. He is known his roles in "Walking Tall," "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, "Joe Dirt" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
• Darren Dalton portrays Randy Anderson. "The Outsiders" was Dalton's first acting role . He also appears in "Red Dawn."
• Michelle Meyrink portrays Marcia. "The Outsiders" was also Meyrink's first role. Her last acting credit was in 1988 on "Permanent Record."
• Tom Waits portrays Buck Merrill . Waits also appears in "Rumble Fish," "Seven Psychopaths" and "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs." Waits is also know for his musical career and has won two Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album for :Bone Machine" and Best Contemporary Folk Album for "Mule Variations".
• Galard Sartain portrays Jerry. He is most known for his roles in "Fried Green Tomatoes," "The Replacements" and "The Grifters."
• William Smith portrays the store clerk. He is most know for his roles in "Any Which Way You Can," "Rich Man, Poor Man," "Red Dawn" and "Laredo."
• S.E. Hinton , author of the novel "The Outsiders," portrays a nurse in the film.
• Sofia Coppola , daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, is credited as Little Girl (as Domino) in the film . Sofia Coppola won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "Lost in Translation." She also became the first American woman nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director . 
• Flea, founding member and bassist for the rock band The Red Hot Chili Peppers, has an uncredited as Soc #3 in the film. He has also appeared in "Baby Driver," "Back to the Future Part II," "The Big Lebowski" and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." The Red Hot Chili Peppers have won 3 Grammy Awards .

What is 'The Outsiders' about?

The 1967 coming-of-age novel received an equally iconic adaptation directed by Coppola.

The film takes place in Oklahoma in the 1960s and features rival teen gangs: the Socs, short for Socials and the Greasers. The house was home to the Curtis brothers and a hangout for their Greaser friends.

More: Author reflects on ‘The Outsiders' after 40 years

Where can you watch, stream, rent/buy 'The Outsiders'?

• Prime Video
• Google Play
• Microsoft Store
• AMC on Demand
• Spectrum on Demand

Contributing: The Associated Press and USA Today

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Rob Lowe: Tom Cruise went 'ballistic' over sharing a room during 'Outsiders' auditions

"The Outsiders” was a breakout film for several young actors in 1983, reinforcing early success for rising star Matt Dillon and effectively putting names like Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio and C. Thomas Howell on the Hollywood map.

And added to that list are Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise , who'd barely had a chance to shine on the big screen before being cast in Francis Ford Coppola’s coming-of-age classic.

But according to Lowe, Cruise didn’t let a little thing like lack of fame dim his star power — even when they were still trying out for their parts.

"All of the L.A. people survived the L.A. auditions, and then the hand-picked people had to go to New York to face the New York version," Lowe recalled during an interview for Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast. "So it was me and Tom Cruise and Emilio and C. Thomas Howell."

And their trip to New York not only led to Lowe locking down the role of Sodapop Curtis and Cruise landing the part of Steve Randle, it also offered them the opportunity to spend the night in a swanky hotel.

"(It was the) first time I ever stayed at The Plaza Hotel, and we check in and Tom finds out that we’re sharing a room and just goes ballistic," Lowe laughed.

But despite the seeming absurdity of the situation, his laugh wasn’t a derisive one.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fdKvKlNYs

"To me, what’s great about the story is, there’s certain people who have always been who they are, and that element of them has powered them to where they are today and the rest is history," the 56-year-old explained. “And the notion that an 18-year-old actor with a walk-on part in ‘Endless Love’ and, like, a seventh lead in ‘Taps’ could have that kind of like wherewithal."

So Cruise’s alleged display in the lobby of the five-star hotel actually left Lowe feeling awe, as well as a case of the giggles.

"I remember going, 'Wow, this guy is the real deal,'" he said. "I mean it made me laugh, it was gnarly. But in the end of it, you can't argue with the results. He’s had his eye on the ball since day one."

Six films in the “Mission Impossible” franchise (and a seventh on the way) and countless other blockbusters since then certainly confirm that.

Ree Hines is a freelance writer and editor who covers pop culture, lifestyle stories and trending news. She’s also a soul-music loving, coffee-obsessed member of both Team Cat and Team Dog. Ree lives in Tampa, Florida, and is a regular contributor to TODAY.com.

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The Outsiders 41 years old

They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.

When two poor Greasers, Johnny and Ponyboy, are assaulted by a vicious gang, the Socs, and Johnny kills one of the attackers, tension begins to mount between the two rival gangs, setting off a turbulent chain of events.

Tom Cruise as Steve Randle

Matt Dillon as Dallas 'Dally' Winston

Diane Lane as Sherri 'Cherry' Valance

Tom Waits as Buck Merrill

Patrick Swayze as Darrel 'Darry' Curtis

Emilio Estevez as Keith 'Two-Bit' Mathews

The outsiders cast, the outsiders crew.

The Outsiders (41 years)

• Release day: Friday, March 25, 1983
• Runtime: 90 minutes
• Budget: 10000000.00
• Revenue: 33697647.00

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80s Heartthrobs That Stole Our Hearts - From Johnny Depp to Matt Dillon

I t seems that with every decade there would be a new brooding guy sauntering onto our screens to make our hearts scream. Whether it was Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986) or Matt Dillon in The Outsiders (1983), these heartthrobs could get us with just one look and a flash of their smile. 

Catch up with the heartthrobs of the 80s you - and we - still can't get enough of.

MUST-READ: 90s Heartthrobs We Can't Get Enough Of

1. Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp can get our hearts racing any day (even as Jack Sparrow), but when his career was just taking off in the 80s, he was the guy everyone wanted hanging on their walls. Whether it was in Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Platoon (1986) or 21 Jump Street (1987), Johnny Depp has always held a special place in our hearts.

2. Matt Dillon

In the 80s, Matt Dillon ruled the screen. From his role in Little Darlings (1980) to playing Dally Winston in The Outsiders , it wasn't hard for Dillon to steal our hearts, especially with that hair and his broody roles.

3. Rob Lowe

It didn't take long for Rob Lowe to win everyone over with his good looks and memorable performances in The Outsiders and St. Elmo's Fire (1985). He's also well-remembered for his days as a member of the "Brat Pack." If you weren't obsessed with Rob Lowe, did you even experience the 80s?

Rob Lowe Is One of Our Favorite Celebrity Dads: See the Sweet Things He Told Us About His Kids (EXCLUSIVE)

4. emilio estevez.

Like Lowe, Estevez grabbed our attention as a part of the "Brat Pack." It also didn't hurt that he became a heartthrob after his roles in The Outsiders , The Breakfast Club (1985) and St. Elmo's Fire . Without Esteves, the 80s wouldn't have been what they were.

5. Tom Cruise

Yes, Tom Cruise is the obvious choice for an 80s heartthrob having charmed us in his hit film, Risky Business (1983) and again as fighter pilot Maverick in Top Gun , remaining a fan-favorite ever since. The ever-famous actor is still on our heartthrob list in 2024 - did you see his daredevil performance at the Paris Olympics? -, and it seems unlikely that he will ever not be on it.

Tom Cruise Has Been Candid About His Life and Career! See His Best Quotes and Messages

6. christian slater.

You'd be lying if you said that Christian Slater didn't pull you in during Heathers, even if he was portraying a serial killer. But he didn't stop there: Slater continued to take our breath away in Desperate for Love (1989) and Gleaming the Cube (1989).

7. Patrick Swayze

The 80s were made for Patrick Swayze . Between Dirty Dancing (1987) and Road House (1989), there was no escaping the star, not that you would ever want to. And with his luscious hair and amazing dance moves (yes, he really was a dancer!), it's hard not to consider him the ultimate 80s heartthrob!

Patrick Swayze Movies: Celebrating the Charismatic Star's Most Iconic Roles

8. andrew mccarthy.

Yet another member of the "Brat Pack" makes the list of our favorite 80s heartthrobs, and that's due to the incredible movies he starred in throughout the decade. McCarthy graced our screens in St. Elmo's Fire , Pretty in Pink (1986), Mannequin (1987) and Weekend at Bernie's (1989), making him a favorite during the 80s.

9. Robert Downey Jr.

You probably know him best today as Iron Man and for his most recent role in Oppenheimer (2023), but back in the 80s, Robert Downey Jr. was stealing our hearts in Weird Science (1985), Less than Zero (1987) and Johnny Be Good (1988).

10. Matthew Broderick

Whether he was avoiding trouble at all costs in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) or planning elaborate crimes in Family Business (1989), Matthew Broderick got our attention. Especially with his disarming demeanor and boyish charm.

11. John Cusack

It's impossible to remember the 80s without thinking of John Cusack . The Say Anything star has been beloved ever since he held a boombox up to Diane's window. Who wouldn't want to hear John Cusack playing "In Your Eyes" outside their window?

Keep reading for more entertainment!

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Three tom cruise action movies are killing it right now, 9 months before he even has a new release.

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These 2 Tom Cruise Action Movies Now Streaming On Netflix Will Help Pass The Time Before Reacher Season 3

Tom cruise drops into olympics closing ceremony mission: impossible-style, & the internet reacts, klaus' immortality & powers in the umbrella academy explained.

• Tom Cruise movies continue to dominate streaming charts, proving their lasting impact on audiences beyond the big screen.
• Even with underperforming box office results, Cruise's action films like Jack Reacher and Mission: Impossible 7 remain popular on streaming platforms.
• With the upcoming Mission: Impossible 8 release in 2025, fans eagerly await Cruise's return as Ethan Hunt, highlighting his enduring star power in the action genre.

Tom Cruise has achieved an impressive feat with three of his action movies this summer, despite the fact that he doesn’t have a new film releasing until 2025. Since the 1980s, Tom Cruise’s action movie star power has continued to grow rather than dwindle, as he now has several iconic franchise characters to his name. From Maverick in the Top Gun movies to J ack Reacher ’s titular character or Mission: Impossible ’s Ethan Hunt, Cruise’s action films and roles continue to make an impact on audiences, even if it’s been years since they premiered .

While the Mission: Impossible franchise is still ongoing, with his upcoming Mission: Impossible 8 bringing Cruise to 29 total years of playing Ethan Hunt. On August 1, 2024, the 2023 sequel Mission: Impossible –Dead Reckoning began streaming on Prime Video . The action film quickly skyrocketed on Prime Video’s streaming charts, which happened to coincide with Cruise’s two Jack Reacher movies also successfully hitting Netflix’s movie library on the same date.

Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible 7 & Jack Reacher Movies Are All Trending On Streaming In August 2024

Three tom cruise movies are leading prime video & netflix's streaming charts.

Simultaneously, Tom Cruise has three action movies leading the streaming charts across two different platforms – an impressive feat for an actor who hasn’t released a movie since July 2023. Also coinciding with an exciting appearance at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Tom Cruise’s movie Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (2023) is trending in the number one spot on Prime Video while his action thrillers Jack Reacher (2012) and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) are trending in the top 10 on Netflix.

Even if these titles didn’t fare as well as anticipated in theaters, their 2024 streaming success proves they stand the test of time with audiences.

Surprisingly, two of the three movies underperformed at the box office upon their theatrical releases. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back ’s underwhelming box office performance arguably hindered a third movie from happening, with Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning making the franchise’s future after the upcoming 2025 sequel less clear. However, even if these titles didn’t fare as well as anticipated in theaters, their 2024 streaming success proves they stand the test of time with audiences.

Before Reacher season 3 arrives, Netflix just added a pair of Tom Cruise movies that are perfect for fans of the fast-paced action thriller series.

Tom Cruise's 2024 Streaming Success Makes The Wait For His Next Movie Much Harder

There's still almost a year until mission: impossible 8 is released in theaters.

With Cruise’s older Jack Reacher movies and Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning being sumultaneous streaming hits, the wait for his next film is more excruciating. It’s unclear when Top Gun 3 will release or how extensive Cruise's role will be, which makes his return as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible 8 his most exciting scheduled sequel. Arriving in theaters on May 23, 2025 , the next Mission: Impossible movie is certain to bring more of the beloved stunts, death-defying sequences, and charm that make the enthusiasm for Tom Cruise 's wider catalog of action thrillers so enduring on streaming and in theaters.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning is an action-adventure spy thriller from director Christopher McQuarrie. It's the seventh entry in the Mission: Impossible series and a direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The title will star Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ving Rhames.

Jack Reacher

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After a mass shooting takes place, homicide investigator Jack Reacher digs into the case to hunt down the sniper who committed the heinous act. Jack Reacher stars Tom Cruise as the titular character and was directed by Christopher McQuarrie. The success of the 2012 film led to a sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, releasing in 2016.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is the sequel to the 2012 original based on the Novel by Lee Child. Finally trying to meet face to face with his support over the years, Jack heads to Washington to meet Major Susan Turner, only to discover that she has been accused of treason and arrested. Jack quickly deduces that she is being framed - and after helping her escape, the two team up to get to the center of a deadly government conspiracy. 

Tom Cruise performs epic stunt at Paris Olympics closing ceremony

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The Best Dance Movies to Cue Up Now—From Dirty Dancing to Step Up

Is there anything more uplifting than watching an iconic dance film? Even the darkest of dance movies— Hustlers , Black Swan —can’t help but compel you to get up, sashay, and twirl around the room.

Of course, the benefits of dance are well-documented—and even engaging in intuitive, non-choreographed forms of dance has been proven to improve your well-being. But you don’t have to actually dance to reap the benefits of this age-old form of expression: research shows that just watching dance really can promote emotional and physical healing. As Patrick Swayze’s character Johnny Castle says in Dirty Dancing : “It’s not the mambo. It’s a feeling; a heartbeat.”

Not that you need to know any of that to enjoy the dance movies listed below. Dance is also just plain fun—whether you’re tapping, pirouetting, shimmy-ing, moonwalking, or just watching someone else do all the above from the comfort of your own couch.

The Red Shoes (1948)

This Technicolor Powell and Pressburger drama is a classic for a reason. Starring Marius Goring and Scottish ballet dancer Moira Shearer, it loosely follows the plot of the 19th-century Hans Christian Andersen fable of the same name, about a pair of red shoes with the power to make a girl dance until she dies. (A phastasmagoric ballet adapted from the same story is the centerpiece of the film.) Marking the Archers’ tenth collaboration, The Red Shoes has long been considered their greatest achievement, winning Oscars for its score (by Brian Easdale) and art direction (Hein Heckroth) and inspiring an album by Kate Bush in 1993.

Royal Wedding (1951)

The great Fred Astaire delivered many astonishing dance routines across his film career, especially with Ginger Rogers—but one of his most memorable was actually a solo. What we’re referring to, of course, is the scene mostly known as “the ceiling dance” from Royal Wedding : a bit of cinematic wizardry by director Stanley Donen (and enchanting choreography by Nick Castle) that made Astaire look like he was tip-tapping on the walls, and then the ceiling, of his room during “You’re All the World to Me.” (Have a look at this video to understand how they pulled it off.)

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

The “Good Mornin’” scene! The “Moses supposes” scene! The occasionally frightening “Make ’Em Laugh” scene! The gorgeous dream ballet ! The actual “Singin’ in the Rain” scene! This quintessential musical about Hollywood’s transition from silet films to “talkies” still holds up as a totally bewitching piece of work, anchored by three otherworldy stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds.

West Side Story (1961) and (2021)

There is nothing new to say about West Side Story : From its moving reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet to its classic Leonard Bernstein score, it remains one of the greatest American musicals ever made. Essential to the piece’s success is its elegantly athletic dance sequences by Jerome Robbins, captured for posterity in his 1961 film with Robert Wise—but Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story , choreographed by Justin Peck, has the juice, too, reimagining classic numbers ( “America,” “Cool”) to thrilling effect.

Sweet Charity (1969)

A number of Bob Fosse movies would be well-placed on this list—including 1953’s Kiss Me Kate , for which he cheographed a single, incredible scene —but we’re going with Sweet Charity for the perfect absurdity of the “Rich Man’s Frug.” The wrists! The legs! The necks ! Fosse spared no detail in his choreography (nor in his filmmaking), crafting an utterly irresistible number that would eventually find its way into an amazing scene in 2000’s Bring It On .

Flashdance (1983)

Dance movies were all the rage in the 1980s, and Flashdance was the film that started it all. Directed by Adrian Lyne (his first feature!) and starring Jennifer Beal (who almost didn’t take the part!) the film’s plot follows Alex (Beal), who works as a welder in a steel mill but dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Shot in a style that mimicked the music videos of the era, the film features some of the most influential and iconic dance sequences in movie history. There’s the sexy “ wet chair ” dance! The final “What a Feeling” audition dance! And no one can deny the impact the film had on the decade’s fashion, courtesy of Beal’s off-the-shoulder slouchy sweatshirts, leg warmers, and leggings.

Footloose (1984) and (2011)

Yes, there are two Footloose movies, and surprisingly, both are pretty fantastic in their own right. They’re fairly similar in terms of theme and plot: both feature the same conumdrum—a small town where rock n’ roll and dancing in public is illegal!—and the same rebellious, big-city teenage transplant on a mission to change it all. Which version is better? That’s entirely dependent on your mood: choose the 1984 version when you’re craving an earnest, retro romp and Kevin Bacon’s unbelievably magnetic energy; watch the 2011 version when you want deeper character development and more polished dance moves. Either way, you can’t lose.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Perhaps one the most beloved and memorable dance movies of all time, Dirty Dancing has it all: romance, humor, and—of course—an often shirtless Patrick Swayze. But this coming-of-age tale is more than just a sexy summer romp filled with sultry moves and big hair ; it’s also a nuanced portrayal of a young woman’s transition from childhood innocence to full-bodied female independence. “My character really becomes a woman, and becomes aware of her sensuality,” Jennifer Gray, who plays protagonist Frances “Baby” Houseman, told Diane Sawyer in a 1987 interview. With the film’s exploration of family dynamics, class conflict, and a woman’s right to choose—as well as that soundtrack of knock-out ‘80s hits—it’s no wonder that its classic line, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” still wields power.

Billy Elliot (2000)

Everyone has a dream—and this 2000 film about an 11-year-old, ballet-loving British boy who lives in a small coal mining town in the mid-1980s is sure to inspire you to follow yours. Thanks to emotional performances (Jamie Bell as the titular character; Julie Walters as his dance teacher) and whip-smart direction by Stephen Daldry, the film is heartwarming, uplifting, and not the least bit cloying. It’s even set to a surprisingly cool soundtrack, featuring The Clash and T. Rex. It’s no wonder the film was nominated for three Academy Awards and inspired a Tony Award-winning musical.

Step Up (2006)

There’s a reason this 2006 romance starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan spawned so many follow-ups and a whole TV series: it’s entertaining, fast-paced, and fun. Its energetic dance sequences, which feature a modern hybrid of ballet and hip hop, also had a surprising impact on dance culture, contributing to the rise of dance competition shows like So You Think You Can Dance as well as the release of other late-aughts dance films like You Got Served. While the plot may be predictable, the chemistry between Tatum and Dewan is electric—so much so that the on-screen couple famously became an off-screen couple after filming. They’ve since divorced, but their legacy—and that infamous final dance scene—lives on. (Seriously: The six film franchise has collectively earned $651 million at the box office.)

Black Swan (2010)

When Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller premiered in 2010, it received one of the longest standing ovations in the history of the Venice Film Festival, and went on to become one of the most-talked about (and financially successful) films of the year. Starring Natalie Portman—who later won the best-actress Oscar for her performance—as a wannabe prima ballerina on the verge of a breakdown, Black Swan shows viewers the dark side of perfection, identity, duality, repression, and illusion, featuring captivating performances by Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, and Barbara Hershey.

Frances Ha (2012)

Before there was Barbie , there was Frances Ha . The indie film that introduced most of us to the infallible charms of Greta Gerwig is all about the struggles of adulting. When aspiring dancer Frances (Gerwig) loses her job as an apprentice at a modern dance company, it sets forth a chain of events that include a breakup, the loss of an apartment, an impromptu escape to Paris, and—ultimately—a new way forward. Directed in crisp black and white by Noah Baumbach, the film nods to French New Wave classics while exploring the modern challenges we all face when it comes to creativity, finances, romance, and friendship. Luckily, Gerwig’s quirky dance moves, optimism, and humor make it all the more fun to watch.

Hustlers (2019)

In this comedy-drama centered on the power of female friendship and the ethics of survival, Jennifer Lopez delivers one of her most riveting and emotionally charged performances yet; the star’s portrayal of stripper-turned-criminal Destiny even garnered rumors that Lopez was a shoo-in for an Oscar. (Fun fact: Lopez spent nearly three months training so she could perform the film’s main pole dance routine without the help of body double.) With a soundtrack featuring Janet Jackson, Fiona Apple, and Britney Spears, and a raw and energetic shooting style, the film offers a juicy behind-the-scenes peek at the glitzy-seedy world of exotic dance—and the guts it takes to persevere.

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