Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
'70s cult action thriller has strong language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Warriors
What's the Story?
THE WARRIORS, a New York gang in an alternative future, must clear their name and fight for survival after they are wrongly accused of killing a rival gang leader.
Is It Any Good?
An unlikely retelling of the Ancient Greek history text Anabasis, The Warriors was adapted from the book of the same name in 1979 and has enjoyed cult status ever since. Its iconic production design creates a New York like no other, as Swan (Michael Beck) leads his cohort through a night filled with rival gangs who give them a series of hostile receptions, after Swan and the other Warriors are framed for murder.
The plot is lean and straightforward, so anyone looking for a complex story and characters will be left disappointed. But it remains watchable after all these years because of its story world -- a vivid mix of cartoonish costumes and grubby street violence that plays out against a backdrop that's pure fantasy. While some of its portrayals of race and gender are aged by their era, the characters' friendships and loyalties largely ignore their social and ethnic differences. Often remembered for its catchy 1970s score and soundtrack, the movie's dark sense of humor and adventure will forever lie at the center of its appeal.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the language in The Warriors. Did it seem necessary or excessive? Were you shocked by some of the terms used? What does it contribute to the movie?
Discuss the violence in the movie. Were the violent scenes necessary to the story? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Talk about the representation and role of women in the movie. How might this be different if the movie was made today? What do you understand the term "stereotypes" to mean? Why can stereotyping be problematic?
Did the Warriors' mission to clear their name remind you of any other movies you've seen?
How did this version of New York differ from the New York you know or have seen in other movies? What role did the location play in the story?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 10, 1979
- On DVD or streaming : October 4, 2005
- Cast : Michael Beck , James Remar , David Michael Beck
- Director : Walter Hill
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate