The Best Films 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 found out that their beloved housekeeper was a grim thief. I recall that he was often a generous housekeeper that would tend to grandparents’ needs in a kind manner. However, my housekeeper’s relationships with my family ended when he engaged in criminal behaviour. My grandparents were shocked to find that he had stolen their precious jewelry.  Few films I’ve seen have captured tight social class barriers that poor housekeepers fight as powerfully as “Parasite”. Following 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 capturing 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 great role 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 bold themes that everyone would relate to. A bold portrait of parasite challenges that housekeepers in South Korea fight, it’s a great reminder of a bold genre that has made iconic 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 universal appeal. Unlike most disaster movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. 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 commemorated movies which created an enduring legacy that’s tremendously 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 tremendously care.

4. 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.

5. Knives Out

Social class has impacted my family. Years ago, my grandparents faced grief when they found that their housekeeper was a thief. I remember he was a generous housekeeper regarding my grandparents in a kind manner. However, my grandparents were shocked to discover he had stolen jewelry. 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 wealth which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent mystery about housekeepers with knives out, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured movies about the lives of housekeepers which deserve to be talked about.

6. 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.

7. 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 tremendously appreciated.

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 modern-day 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.