Top 10 Fictional Movie Gangs

Script written by Niki Neptune.

Top 10 Fictional Movie Gangs

Three may be a crowd, but it’s also the beginnings of a kick-ass gang. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Fictional Gangs in Movies.

For this list, we’re looking at groups of three or more characters that have formed or organized themselves into gangs that really only existed in the movies. In some cases, that’s a bummer, and in others, that’s a good thing because they’re terrifying. We’d much prefer the gangs that would battle you with full extensions and pirouettes than the type that would shank you in front of your mom.

#10: The Cobras Gang
“Stand by Me” (1986)

This Stephen King story tells the story of four young boys who embark on a journey to find a dead body. Like most kids, obviously. But they never would’ve known about it if Vern hadn’t overheard his older brother Billy talking about Ray Brower’s missing corpse. Billy is part of the Cobra gang, led by “Ace” Merrill, who also go on the hunt. With their violent and bullying ways, they’re a stark contrast to “Stand by Me”’s protagonists. And while neither groups of boys has to stare down the face of a murderous clown like the Losers Club kids from “It,” finding a dead body is probably frightening enough on its own.

#9: The Go-Go Dancers
“Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” (1965)

Who doesn’t like a gang of no-nonsense go-go dancers that races cars in the desert? That sounds awesome, right? That is, until they’re literally murdering you and assaulting your family. This ‘60s exploitation flick follows a trio of beautiful ladies who don’t appear to shy away from crime. After challenging a man and his girlfriend to a race, they kill him and take his girl hostage. They then end up at the home of a gross old man and his beefy, but mentally impaired, son. And since this girl-gang isn’t one to be messed with, they make a mess of things while trying to locate the old man’s riches.

#8: Hershe Gang
“Escape from L.A.” (1996)

In this follow-up to 1981’s “Escape from New York,” Snake Plissken is back and trying to escape from things in the newly formed island of Los Angeles as well as retrieve a global weapon for the wacko President. He’s got 10 hours to live and after trying unsuccessfully to retrieve the weapon, Snake turns to his friend, Carjack Malone, for help. Except Carjack is now Hershe Las Palmas, and she runs with a crew of deadly transwomen who know a thing or two about survival. With the help of her crew, Plissken is able to take down the opposition and recover the weapon. All while looking fabulous, of course.

#7: The Lost Boys
“Hook” (1991)

In this Steven Spielberg flick, Robin Williams plays a grown up Peter Pan who has no recollection of his past in Neverland. Now, he’s a big-shot lawyer with a family, and it’s not until he visits London and reunites with Wendy Darling that he’s forced to confront his previous life. When his children are kidnapped by Captain Hook, his trusty Tinker Bell leads him back to his childhood friends: The Lost Boys. Now led by Rufio, this group of kids makes their own rules and live life on their terms. And they’re surprisingly formidable in pirate battles.

#6: The Droogs
“A Clockwork Orange” (1971)

There’s nothing like a gang of roving sociopaths to make you want to swear off humanity. In this 1971 classic, Malcolm McDowell plays Alex DeLarge, the leader of a group of petty teenage criminals. The Droogs, as they are known, spend their time getting high, assaulting people, hooking up with girls, and wearing all white. In spite of all that, and the fact that they basically paralyzed a dude and sexually assaulted his wife, they seem to evade the police. At least, most of them do; after Alex is arrested, he is forced to undergo mind-control experiments, but at least we’ll always have the memories of his eyeliner.

#5: The Greasers
“The Outsiders” (1983)

A gang comprised of Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, and Ralph Macchio seems like they might just act you to death, but these guys’re tougher than they appear. In this drama, their characters are joined by C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, and Matt Dillon to form The Greasers – a bunch of bad boys from the wrong side of the tracks. When one of them accidentally kills a kid from their rival gang, their conflicts transform from occasionally adversarial to all-out warfare. And while they may look like a band of hooligans at first blush, they save kids from burning churches, too. So they’re not all bad.

#4: The Natives
“Gangs of New York” (2002)

Back before Manhattan was all yuppies and Cosmopolitans, it was the site of some of America’s grittiest historical events. This Martin Scorsese film follows the story of a young man who witnesses his father’s murder at the hands of the leader of a rival gang, The Natives. The Natives oppose the influx of Irish immigrants, and they’re led by the deadly Bill “The Butcher” Cutting. Their frequent clashes with the Irish gang, The Dead Rabbits, come to a head at the onset of the racially charged Draft Riots. But in spite of the chaos around them, The Natives stay committed to their goal of fighting the Irish until their deaths.

#3: The T-Birds
“Grease” (1978)

This gang of teenagers is a far cry from the some of the more rapacious and murderous crews on our list. Instead, these greasers prefer to slick their hair down, sing in dance numbers, and chase girls. Led by John Travolta’s Danny Zuko, the T-Birds don matching leather jackets, similar hairstyles, and court the Pink Ladies – their companion lady-clique. While they spend most of their time singing and dancing, they also engage in high stakes street races with their rival gang, the Scorpions. But at least no one ends up dead.

#2: The Warriors
“The Warriors” (1979)

This ‘70s cult flick follows the story of a rough and tumble street gang named the Warriors who are framed for the death of another powerful gang’s leader. This means they have to make it through the streets of New York without getting killed by the multitudes of rival gangs, like the Riffs, the Baseball Furies, and the Punks, as well as avoid getting picked up by the cops. It’s a harrowing night for the scrappy gang, but they emerge victorious and redeemed. Well, redeemed among the street gang community, at least.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- The Foot Clan
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1990)
- News Teams
“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)
- The Ex-Presidents
“Point Break” (1991)
- The Black Rebels Motorcycle Club
“The Wild One” (1953)

#1: The Jets / The Sharks
“West Side Story” (1961)

It’s all pliés and grand jetés until someone gets hurt. This classic musical tells the story of two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, but in the midst of their rivalry is a love story. Paralleling Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, the film follows Jets’ cofounder Tony and his love for Maria, the sister of one of the Sharks’ leaders, Bernardo. Obviously, their gang affiliations make their romance a little difficult, and it’s underscored by the ongoing dance battles and stabbings going on between the competing groups. The rivalry comes to a violent head, with broken hearts, worn-out dance shoes, and a gunshot victim by “West Side Story”’s end.

Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite fictional movie gang? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.