The 1927 silent film directed by Fritz Lang depicts a city in which the rich live in towers far above the surface of the world and those with less money work below the ground. (So yes, this movie was most likely the inspiration for every single iteration you've seen of that idea since.) Freder (Gustav Fröhlich), the son of the city's ruler, thinks nothing of this until he meets and falls in love with Maria (Brigitte Helm), who lives underground. Freder soon learns of a revolution brewing among the workers.
"'Metropolis' still packs a visual wallop," Monitor film critic David Sterritt wrote of the movie. "Lang was one of cinema's greatest stylists, and today's directors could learn invaluable lessons from his economical editing, masterly framing, and trail-blazing special effects."
The movie was re-released by producer Giorgio Moroder in 1984 with a soundtrack by artists such as Bonnie Tyler, Pat Benatar, and Freddie Mercury.