The Breakfast Club Celebrates 40 Years as a Cultural Touchstone

John Hughes' 1985 teen classic remains influential, though modern reassessments highlight its complexities and flaws.

The Breakfast Club, released on February 15, 1985, remains a defining teen movie, grossing over $50 million on a $1 million budget.
The film's portrayal of high school archetypes and its iconic soundtrack, including Simple Minds' 'Don't You (Forget About Me),' left a lasting cultural impact.
The cast, including Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, and Judd Nelson, reunited in 2025 at MegaCon Florida to mark the 40th anniversary.
Critics and audiences continue to grapple with the film's legacy, praising its emotional honesty while noting problematic elements like casual homophobia and gender dynamics.
The Breakfast Club is celebrated for its groundbreaking depiction of teenage struggles but has faced scrutiny for its adherence to Reagan-era norms and Hollywood conventions.