Cyrus, the leader of the Gramercy Riffs, the most powerful gang in New York City, calls a midnight summit for all the area gangs, with all asked to send nine unarmed representatives to the conclave. A gang called the Warriors is blamed for killing Cyrus as he gives his speech. The gang now has to cross rivals' territory in order to get to its own 'hood. The Warriors slowly cross the dangerous Bronx and Manhattan territories, narrowly escaping police and other gangs every step of the way.