Outsiders

About

The Outsiders is a 1983 American coming-of-age crime drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1967 novel by S. E. Hinton. The film was inspired by Jo Ellen Misakian, a librarian at Lone Star Elementary School in Fresno, California, and her students, who motivated Coppola to bring the story to the screen. The film features a notable ensemble cast including C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe in his feature film debut, Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, and Leif Garrett. The cast members went on to appear in other Hinton adaptations, including Tex and Rumble Fish. Released in the United States on March 25, 1983, the film received mostly positive reviews from critics, particularly for its performances, and grossed $25.8 million against a $10 million budget. Over the years, the film has developed a cult following and has inspired both a 1990 sequel television series and a successful 2023 stage musical.