The Best Movies Made About Social Class Ranked

Few genres have earned the appreciation of social class. Since the 1980’s, stories of social inequality have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s parasitic housekeepers, doomed lovers or serial killers, the genre has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about social class which deserve to be celebrated.

1. Parasite

Housekeepers have impacted my family. Several years ago, my grandparents faced grief when they discovered that their beloved housekeeper was a grim thief. I remember that he was a generous housekeeper that would often tend to my grandparents’ needs in a kind manner. However, my housekeeper’s strong bond with my family ended when he engaged in grim criminal behaviour. My grandparents were shocked to find that he had stolen their precious jewelry.  Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the tight social class barriers that poor housekeepers fight as powerfully as “Parasite”. Ever since its release in 2019, Bong Joon-ho’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about social class. With the greatest film of his career, Bong Joon-ho used innovative cinematic techniques to capture an impoverished Korean family that faces despair. Bong Joon-ho has always had an aptitude for making great movies about social class in his home country, and “Parasite” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Bong Joon-ho effectively used symbolism to capture a poor Korean family impacted by poverty causing tragedy. For instance, the scene in which the Kim family’s house is destroyed by a frightening flood causing a nerve-wracking dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Song Kang-ho, who demonstrated a desperate Korean man seeking to commit grim crimes to provide for his family. Ultimately, what makes “Parasite” my favourite poverty film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies occurring in South Korea that are targeted towards citizens of the country, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a heartbreaking message concerning social inequalities which would resonate with everyone. A bold portrait of parasite challenges that housekeepers in South Korea fight, it’s a great reminder of a strong genre that has made iconic movies about social class inequalities which deserve to achieve the spotlight.

2. Titanic

The Titanic is a tragic event in history that shaped my brother’s identity. At an early age, I bonded with a brother that had immense knowledge about a sad shipwreck that caused damage. He was often interested in becoming educated about a sad disaster he appreciated.  In 1997, James Cameron honoured the tragic shipwreck in his iconic film “Titanic”. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used bold cinematic techniques to capture a grim shipwreck disaster that caused despair. Cameron used great special effects to capture lovers with social class tension torn apart on a ship that’s deteriorating. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose face tension being torn apart from each other as the ship begins sinking causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of great roles from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who portrayed lovers torn apart by social class. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” a classic period piece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about disasters which will resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after the tragic sinking of the Titanic, its a breathtaking reminder of a great genre that has produced great movies which created a legacy that’s iconic.

3. Slumdog Millionaire

India is a misunderstood country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. At an early age, I formed bonds with a friend that criticized movies giving India a bad image. Born in Mumbai slums, he was critical of movies depicting his country. As someone treasuring a friend that sought to become an Indian millionaire, I adored “Slumdog Millionaire”. Released in 2008, Danny Boyle’s movie captured social class in India.  Boyle effectively used real-life locations across India to capture the downtrodden lives of impoverished orphans in the country. For instance, the scene in which Jamal is overcome with joy after he wins the game show becoming a millionaire in India is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Dev Patel, who embodied an impoverished Indian boy seeking to become a millionaire. Ultimately, what makes “Slumdog Millionaire” a classic is its depiction of India. Unlike most movies about India, it tackles strong themes that would resonate with everyone.  It delivers a bold message about social inequality in India which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jamal’s desire to be a millionaire, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making movies about which audiences care.

4. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature always impressed my mother. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author in English literature. She was drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. Social class has always been a prominent theme in Austen’s books and it is most evident in “Pride & Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie honoured Jane Austen’s most celebrated book. Wright has an aptitude for adapting classic literature into compelling movies, and “Pride & Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about destroying her sister’s marriage causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Kiera Knightley, who embodied a commemorated heroine. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a commemorated adaptation is its message. The film delivers a bold message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. Centuries after the publication of a classic book about prejudiced women developing romantic bonds with pride, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a memorable genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to leave audiences satisfied.

5. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a great book that my teacher would always appreciate. I remember a school teacher that grew up to treasure a book about millionaires facing disaster. He would always speak fondly about a book that captured social class in the 1920’s. Drawn towards the green light, he adored a book capturing the class barriers that millionaires fight. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the great book about millionaires in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Luhrmann has always thrived at making lavish movies about the lives of millionaires, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Gatsby is first introduced to Nick Carraway at a party causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who created an iconic millionaire character. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about a millionaire that’s mysterious, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences consider precious.

6. The Talented Mr. Ripley

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about social inequality, it’s worth discussing The Talented Mr. Ripley. Since its publication in 1955, Patricia Highsmith’s book has become a literary classic. In 1999, Anthony Minghella honoured the legendary book in his movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Talented Mr. Ripley” stand out is its depiction of con-artists. Minghella uses captivating montages capturing a con-artist deceiving wealthy millionaires that are frightening. Assisted by Matt Damon who is amazing in the lead role, Minghella honoured a legendary book about millionaires. A terrific adaptation of a book about con-artists that are talented, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated timeless movies which deserve to be appreciated.

7. The Remains of the Day

Britain is a country that has often followed a rigid class system. Britain has built an image of being a nation where people face social class tension. The way in which social class barriers affect housekeepers in Britain is beautifully depicted in the movie “The Remains of the Day”. Released in 1993, James Ivory’s movie captured social inequality in Britain. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Remains of the Day” stand out is its depiction of butlers. Ivory uses captivating production-design to capture butlers whose lives decline. Assisted by Anthony Hopkins who is superb in the lead role, Ivory captured social class disparity in Britain. A powerful portrait of butlers that are British, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has managed to accomplish groundbreaking feats by manufacturing movies which audiences cherish.

8. Moonlight

Gay people are rarely depicted respectfully in movies today. Hollywood has a history of building barriers against LGBTQ communities. In an industry where barriers queer people fight are hidden in plain sight, it’s worth praising “Moonlight”. Released in 2016, Barry Jenkins’ movie captured black queer boys facing poverty. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Moonlight” stand out is its sensitive depiction of LGBTQ communities. Barry Jenkins used symbolism to capture hardships queer men raised in poverty-stricken neighbourhoods are facing. Anchored by a phenomenal performance by Mahershala Ali, Jenkins celebrated the LGBTQ community. A powerful portrait of poverty-stricken gay men facing a price to pay, it’s a profound reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

9. Crazy Rich Asians

Millionaires that live a lifestyle of luxury are common in China. China has built an image of being a country where millionaires earn a high wage. The luxurious lifestyles of crazy rich Asians are beautifully depicted in the movie “Crazy Rich Asians”. Released in 2018, John M. Chu’s movie depicted wealthy Asian families in China. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Crazy Rich Asians” stand out is its strong depiction of China. Chu uses captivating real-life locations across the country to capture a wealthy Asian-American family. Assisted by Michelle Yeoh who is amazing in the lead role, Chu created a compelling movie about social class in China. A captivating portrait of crazy rich families in China, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced unforgettable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

10. Anora

Few movies ever made about social class have earned media attention of “Anora”. Released in 2024, Sean Baker’s Oscar-winning movie captured social class barriers faced by a prostitute. Baker used montages capturing hardships that a prostitute in doomed love affairs is facing. Assisted by Mikey Madison who is amazing in the lead role, Baker created a compelling doomed romance. Although I adored the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of a prostitute treated poorly by social class inequality has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Anora’s love for stripping, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre making captivating movies about social class tension people are experiencing which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking.