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2mo ago

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.

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The cast of "The Breakfast Club" sitting in the library.

Overview

  • 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.