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 their beloved housekeeper was a thief. I remember that he was a kind housekeeper that would tend towards grandparents’ needs in bold manners. However, my housekeeper’s relationship with my family ended when he engaged in dark 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 often 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 disparity. 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 commemorated crimes to provide for his family. Ultimately, what makes “Parasite” my favourite film about social class of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies set 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 breathtaking portrait of parasite challenges that housekeepers in South Korea fight, it’s a captivating reminder of a strong genre that has made great movies about social class inequalities which deserve to achieve 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 undeniably iconic.
3. The Remains of the Day
Butlers are powerful figures that played a pivotal role in my family. I recall fond memories of a butler that assisted my grandparents. Dedicated to performing every chore, he was a housekeeper that my family would always adore. As someone treasuring fond memories of a butler that changed my family in every way, I adored “The Remains of the Day”. Released in 1993, James Ivory’s movie captured the lives of Butlers assisting a British family. Ivory used captivating montages capturing a butler seeking to assist a family whose health is declining. For instance, the scene in which Stevens delivers a rousing speech seeking to prepare his servants for a big lunch during the era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it al is an extraordinary performance by Anthony Hopkins, who embodied a butler dedicated to assisting his family. Ultimately, what makes “The Remains of the Day” a memorable movie is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message about social class with which everyone would be able to engage. As someone that has always shared a long-lasting relationship with my family’s housekeepers, the movie resonated strongly with me. A brilliant adaptation of a beloved book about butlers reminiscing the remains of the day, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an genre that deserves to be celebrated today.
4. Knives Out
Housekeepers are often treated poorly in Asian countries. At an early age, I have often witnessed housekeepers in Pakistan facing damage. Living in impoverishment, housekeepers often have to climb the social ladder to achieve dreams with commitment. As someone haunted by memories of a housekeeper taking knives out, I adored “Knives Out”. Released in 2019, Rian Johnson’s murder mystery captured a dysfunctional family. Johnson effectively uses humour to capture a dysfunctional family impacted by murder. For instance, the scene in which the members of the Thrombey family have a tense meeting causing a dilemma following the death of their patriarch is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Daniel Craig, who embodies a dedicated detective investigating a dysfunctional family. Ultimately, what makes “Knives Out” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most murder mysteries, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about dysfunctional families which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent mystery about housekeepers with knives out, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about social inequalities in countries which deserve to be talked absolutely about.
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 class struggles in the 1920’s. 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 social class barriers causing danger, 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 universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about social inequalities that would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking 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 White Tiger
Housekeepers facing trauma are often common in India. India has built an image of being a country following social inequality causing housekeepers to face tragedy. The class struggles of housekeepers that are treated in an unfair manner in India are beautifully depicted in the movie “The White Tiger”. Released in 2021, Ramin Bahrani’s movie captured housekeepers in India. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The White Tiger” stand out is its depiction of India. Bahrani uses captivating narration capturing hardships housekeepers in India are facing. Assisted by Adarsh Gourav who is amazing in the lead role, Bahrani created a portrait of India. A powerful portrait of housekeepers facing trauma in India, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies attracting audiences to modern-day Cinema.
7. Saltburn
Social inequality is a tradition that is common in Britain. Britain has built an image of being a country that follows traditions of social inequality. The struggles faced by lower-class people seeking to earn prosperity in Britain are beautifully depicted in the movie “Saltburn”. Released in 2023, Emerald Fennell’s movie offered a powerful portrait of social disparity in the country. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Saltburn” stand out is its depiction of wealth. Fennell uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a wealthy family owning an estate is facing. Assisted by Barry Keoghan who is amazing in lead role, Fennell captured social disparity in Britain. As precious as the Saltburn estate, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies audiences appreciate.
8. Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey is a legendary television show about social inequality that has built a lasting legacy. With its timeless themes, strong storytelling and powerful acting, the show earned a huge following. In 2019, Michael Engler honoured the iconic television series in his movie “Downton Abbey”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Downton Abbey” stand out is its depiction of housekeepers. Engler uses captivating set-design to capture the differences in ways of living between wealthy owners and housekeepers. Assisted by Maggie Smith who is magnificent in the lead role, Engler created a captivating adaptation of the television series. A breathtaking adaptation of a beloved television series, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies about families that face social inequalities.
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 theatrical Cinema.
10. Anora
Few movies ever made about social disparity 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 desire to become wealthy, it’s a riveting reminder about a genre that has made unforgettable movies about social disparity which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 