A cult classic crime drama movie is airing on TV tonight

Coming from the director of Apocalypse Now and The Godfather trilogy, the film probably has the best young cast of all time.

Directed by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (Apocalypse Now, The Godfather Trilogy) and based on the beloved novel of the same name by S.E. Hinton, it centres around the rivalry between two teen gangs in rural Oklahoma - the Greasers and the Socials.

"When two Greasers - Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny (Ralph Macchio) - get into a brawl that ends in the death of a Social member, the boys are forced to go into hiding," the plot synopsis reads.

"Soon, Ponyboy and Johnny, along with the intense Dallas (Matt Dillon) and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives.

"While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends."

A hit at the box-office and with critics, The Outsiders has acquired a cult following in the decades since its release.

This is perhaps because of how many members of its young main cast - which also features Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise - went on to be big stars.

Also making smaller appearances in the film are Melanie Griffith, Nicolas Cage, Sofia Coppola and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Outsiders is airing on Film4 tonight at 11.10pm. It is also available to rent on Apple TV, Curzon and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

Copshop - Film4 - 9pm

The wickedly fun action thriller movie with Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo that we recommended last week.

Sex and the City - RTÉ2 - 9pm

The big screen spin-off to the hit comedy series.

Escape Plan - Legend - 9pm

In this fun thriller, action icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone play prisoners who hatch a plan to escape the world’s most secret and secure jail.

The Devil's Own - Legend Xtra - 9pm

The poorly received ’90s thriller about the IRA starring Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford.

I Am Alfred Hitchcock - Sky Arts - 9pm

A documentary about the legendary filmmaker.

The Jigsaw Man - Legend - 11.15pm

Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier star in this '80s spy thriller.