In theory, 1979’s The Warriors has a lot in common with the contemporary-ish Escape From New York (small group against a ton of enemies organized against them), but it’s quite a bit sillier and weirder as an artefact, which to me makes it more interesting.

It’s 1979 in New York City, and all the city’s gangs are headed uptown to a meeting called by Cyrus, head of the biggest crew, the Gramercy Riffs. 

See, Cyrus (the one and only) has this plan: he wants to unite the gangs of New York and take over, because together, they outnumber the cops. And, hey, it seems like people are into this idea. Unfortunately, before anything can actually happen, Cyrus is suddenly shot dead.

The person who shot Cyrus goes unseen by almost everyone, except, of course, the audience, and a member of the Warriors, a gang from Coney Island. Naturally, the shooter immediately points the finger at the Warriors, who now have to try to get home, meanwhile every other gang in the city is out to get them for killing their leader.

Cue a mad (and messy) chase through New York City!