Common Sense Media Review
Coppola's take on classic book has strong violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
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The Outsiders
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 41 parent reviews
Parents say this film, based on a classic novel, presents important themes of identity, friendship, and the struggles faced by adolescents, yet some reviews caution about its portrayals of violence, smoking, and mature themes. While many appreciate the film's fidelity to the book and its educational potential for teenagers, others express concerns about the appropriateness of its content for younger audiences.
- themes of identity
- educational potential
- concerns about violence
- fidelity to the book
- appropriate for teens
- mature themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 183 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a beloved classic that evokes a wide array of emotions, showcasing themes of friendship, loyalty, and the harsh realities of adolescence, while also leading to mixed feelings about its occasional violent content. Many reviews highlight the strong connection between the book and movie, though some critiques focus on omitted scenes and pacing issues, making it a thought-provoking but sometimes difficult viewing experience for younger audiences.
- great messages
- emotional impact
- pacing issues
- strong characters
- love for book
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The Curtis brothers and their friends run with a pack of wrong-side-of-the tracks greasers who smoke endless packs of cigarettes and spend most of their time looking for trouble. When Ponyboy Curtis (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny Cade (Ralph Macchio) have a run-in with a pack of Socs after a drive-in movie, Johnny stabs one of the Socs. At the advice of their friend Dallas (Matt Dillon), they hide out in an abandoned church, but a tragic chain of events has already begun to unfold.
Is It Any Good?
THE OUTSIDERS, Francis Ford Coppola's inspired adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, combines a talented ensemble cast with an engaging story. It's in some ways a scare film. Characters suffer for their bad behavior, and occasionally the treatment seems a bit heavy-handed. Coppola's direction is brilliant, as evidenced by his attention to detail. In particular, the soundtrack manages to contribute to the drama without feeling manipulative.
The collaborative work of the young cast also serves as a testament to the director's skill. Coppola even wrenches a convincing performance out of Patrick Swayze as the oldest Curtis brother. As the pretty, popular cheerleader Cherry, Diane Lane manages to avoid coming across as condescending. The real stars of the show, however, are Howell as the sensitive Ponyboy and Dillon as the time bomb Dallas. The special-edition DVD entitled The Outsiders - The Complete Novel features several extras, including over 22 minutes of original, cut footage, a new soundtrack featuring songs by Elvis Presley, and a news segment on the student petition that started it all.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about class divisions. Why does Cherry tell Ponyboy that she can't talk to him at school? What makes the division between the Socs and the greasers readily apparent? What can explain the origin of the rivalry between the two groups?
Why do you think people -- and teens in particular -- feel a need to form cliques, gangs, and social groups that stand apart from others? How does this movie attempt to show the camaraderie but also the big-picture absurdity in being involved too closely with cliques, gangs, and social groups?
In what ways is this movie a powerful example of a coming-of-age movie? What do you think is the timeless appeal of "coming-of-age" movies? What are some other examples of this genre?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 1, 1983
- On DVD or streaming : November 20, 1998
- Cast : C. Thomas Howell , Matt Dillon , Ralph Macchio
- Director : Francis Ford Coppola
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Dads , Siblings , Single Parents ) , Friendship , School ( High School ) , Activism ( Racial justice )
- Run time : 114 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence
- Last updated : March 11, 2026
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