Overview
A gang on the run must navigate the treacherous streets of New York City to survive.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- kinetic
- gritty
- stylized
- late night viewing
- cult movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly recognize Walter Hill's striking visual control and kinetic entertainment value, while remaining divided over its implausibility, stilted dialogue, and limited character depth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The gangs operate through costume-coded identities, ritualized confrontations, and choreographed street fights rather than naturalistic social-problem drama.
Swan and the Warriors must travel from the Bronx to Coney Island through successive rival gang territories and police pursuit.
Bronx and Manhattan neighborhoods, subway stations, and streets become distinct territories in an almost allegorical gang map.
The Warriors and rival gangs are distinguished by uniforms, names, colors, entrances, and collective behavior.
Films like The Warriors, and why
The Wanderers
stylized street-gang conflict, youthful rebellion, and gritty urban atmosphere
Quadrophenia
youth gang culture, nighttime urban odyssey, and heightened period style
Assault on Precinct 13
masculine camaraderie, survival pursuit, and tightly choreographed stylized violence
Escape from New York
street gangs, expressive visual design, and heightened urban danger
Movie Details
- Director
- Walter Hill
- Release Date
- 1979-02-01
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (2486)
Cast
- Michael Beck
- James Remar
- David Patrick Kelly
- Dorsey Wright
- David Harris
- Deborah Van Valkenburgh
- Brian Tyler
- Tom McKitterick
- Marcelino Sánchez
- Roger Hill
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Warriors about?
- A falsely accused street gang races across a mythic nighttime New York while rival crews and police close in.
- What is The Warriors like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Warriors as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Warriors violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Warriors as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Warriors?
- Critics broadly recognize Walter Hill's striking visual control and kinetic entertainment value, while remaining divided over its implausibility, stilted dialogue, and limited character depth.
- Which films are like The Warriors?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wanderers, Quadrophenia, Assault on Precinct 13, and Escape from New York.
- How long is The Warriors?
- The Warriors runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Warriors?
- In United States, The Warriors is available to rent or buy from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex.
