A cult crime movie classic is among the films on TV tonight

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

Our movies on TV pick for tonight (21 February) is The Outsiders, the 1983 coming-of-age crime drama. 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 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." [caption id="attachment_791795" align="alignnone" width="649"]

Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, Thomas C. Howell, and Tom Cruise in The Outsiders.[/caption]

The Outsiders: A cult crime movie classic is among the films on TV tonight

A box-office hit upon release, along with being well-liked by critics, The Outsiders has acquired a cult following in the decades since its release. This is perhaps related to how many 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 uncredited appearances in the film are Heather Langenkamp, Melanie Griffith, Nicolas Cage and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Outsiders is airing on Film4 on Wednesday night at 10.55 pm. It is also available to rent on Apple TV, Curzon, Google Play and the Sky Store. Check out its trailer right here:

For information on the other movies airing on TV tonight, scroll below:

Red 2 - Sky Showcase - 9 pm

The first Red was really fun. This sequel, not so much.

Species - Sky Sci-Fi - 9 pm

This hit '90s sci-fi horror follows a motley crew of scientists and government agents who try to track down a seductive female extraterrestrial-human hybrid (Natasha Henstridge), before she successfully mates with a human male.