I fell deep down a YouTube K-hole yesterday while researching for this piece, and when I came up for air, I realized I was practically watching the entirety of Menace II Society, which is arguably one of the best gang films of all time.  The irony – I just now realized – is that there are hardly any true gang fights at all.  Like Boyz N the Hood, Menace‘s fight scenes are predominantly either 1-on-1, dudes getting jumped, or a drive-by unloading.  What’s up with that?

So I dived right back into the ‘Tube and hunted for cinema’s best gang fights.  In my opinion.  These are outside of war battles, musical dramas, and anything before 1979 really.  Gangbangers, soccer hooligans, New York skateboarders, and college students….  When it comes to testosterone, teen rites of passage, and tribalism, pride will drive a man to do anything.

Higher Learning (1995) – Jennifer Connelly is the best thing about this movie (and all movies she stars in).  This is second:

Good Will Hunting (1997) – The Gene Rafferty song is such a weird choice for this scene that it only makes the fight seem more primitive:

The Karate Kid (1984) – Winner of the best Halloween costume award, 1984-Infinity:

The Outsiders (1983) – My favorite rumble of all:

Boyz N The Hood (1991) – Watch. Nothing really happens!:

Green St. Hooligans (2005) – This entire film is the best movie gang fight.

Blood In Blood Out (1993) – Now you understand Jon Hundreds a little better:

The Warriors (1979) – Ben says this movie sucks. C’mon. Baseball Furies!:

Gangs of New York (2002) – Makes you wanna watch this movie all over again, right?:

KIDS (1995) – I know this doesn’t necessarily count because it’s a dogpile, but I had to throw it in. Because my youth:

What are some of your favorite gang fight scenes on film?  Leave a Comment below…

Read more:

Alec Banks’s “10 Influential Films on Modern Streetwear Culture”