Class, Money & Social Climbing

Films That Understand the Violence of Inequality

These films aren't just about being rich or poor — they're about the hidden cruelty of class, the performance of respectability, and what people do to move up (or stay there).

Drama Political
12
Movies
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Created: June 21, 2025

The Collection

The Rules of the Game

The Rules of the Game

1939
1
The Rules of the Game
1939
1
The Rules of the Game
IMDb 7.9 / 10
Director Jean Renoir
Cast Marcel Dalio, Nora Gregor, Paulette Dubost
Box Office $273,641
Why An essential entry — The Rules of the Game embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Metropolitan

Metropolitan

1990
2
Metropolitan
1990
2
Metropolitan
IMDb 5.2 / 10
Director Whit Stillman
Cast Edward Clements, Chris Eigeman, Taylor Nichols
Box Office $2,960,492
Why An essential entry — Metropolitan embodies exactly what this collection is about.
The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Talented Mr. Ripley

1999
3
The Talented Mr. Ripley
1999
3
The Talented Mr. Ripley
IMDb 7.4 / 10
Director Anthony Minghella
Cast Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law
Box Office $81,298,265
Why An essential entry — The Talented Mr. Ripley embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Parasite

Parasite

2019
4
Parasite
2019
4
Parasite
IMDb 8.5 / 10
Director Bong Joon Ho
Cast Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong
Box Office $53,847,897
Why An essential entry — Parasite embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Knives Out

Knives Out

2019
5
Knives Out
2019
5
Knives Out
IMDb 7.9 / 10
Director Rian Johnson
Cast Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas
Box Office $165,363,234
Why An essential entry — Knives Out embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Triangle of Sadness

Triangle of Sadness

2022
6
Triangle of Sadness
2022
6
Triangle of Sadness
IMDb 7.2 / 10
Director Ruben Östlund
Cast Thobias Thorwid, Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean
Box Office $4,608,096
Why An essential entry — Triangle of Sadness embodies exactly what this collection is about.
The Menu

The Menu

2022
7
The Menu
2022
7
The Menu
IMDb 7.2 / 10
Director Mark Mylod
Cast Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult
Box Office $38,501,125
Why An essential entry — The Menu embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Saltburn

Saltburn

2023
8
Saltburn
2023
8
Saltburn
IMDb 7.0 / 10
Director Emerald Fennell
Cast Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike
Box Office $11,425,829
Why An essential entry — Saltburn embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman

1985
9
Death of a Salesman
1985
9
Death of a Salesman
IMDb 7.2 / 10
Director Volker Schlöndorff
Cast Dustin Hoffman, Kate Reid, John Malkovich
Why An essential entry — Death of a Salesman embodies exactly what this collection is about.
American Beauty

American Beauty

1999
10
American Beauty
1999
10
American Beauty
IMDb 8.3 / 10
Director Sam Mendes
Cast Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch
Box Office $130,096,601
Why An essential entry — American Beauty embodies exactly what this collection is about.
A Simple Favor

A Simple Favor

2018
11
A Simple Favor
2018
11
A Simple Favor
IMDb 6.7 / 10
Director Paul Feig
Cast Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding
Box Office $53,548,586
Why An essential entry — A Simple Favor embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Lolita

Lolita

1962
12
Lolita
1962
12
Lolita
IMDb 7.5 / 10
Director Stanley Kubrick
Cast James Mason, Shelley Winters, Sue Lyon
Box Office $9,250,000
Why An essential entry — Lolita embodies exactly what this collection is about.

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