Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall both starred in Hughes's 1984 film Sixteen Candles. Towards the end of filming, Hughes asked them both to be in The Breakfast Club. Hall became the first to be cast, agreeing to the role of Brian Johnson; his real life mother and sister playing the same roles in the film. Ringwald was originally approached to play the character of Allison Reynolds, but she was "really upset" because she wanted to play Claire Standish (then named "Cathy" in the first draft of the script), which saw the auditions of Robin Wright, Jodie Foster, Laura Dern, and Bailey Hoyt. She eventually convinced Hughes and the studio to give her the part. The role of Allison ultimately went to Ally Sheedy.
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Soundtrack
The Breakfast Club (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Different stars
- 1 Simple MindsDon't You (Forget About Me) 4:21
- 2 Elizabeth DailyWaiting 4:38
- 3 Wang ChungFire In the Twilight 3:51
- 4 Keith ForseyI'm the Dude 2:10
- 5 Jesse Johnson & Stephanie SpruillHeart Too Hot to Hold 4:25
- 6 Keith ForseyDream Montage 2:38
- 7 Karla DeVitoWe Are Not Alone 3:38
- 8 Keith ForseyThe Reggae 3:07
- 9 Joyce KennedyDidn't I Tell You 4:47
- 10 Keith ForseyLove Theme 4:28
The Breakfast Club
(1985)12
" They only met once, but it changed their lives forever."
| Country | |
| Runtime | 1 hr 37 min |
| Budget | $1 000 000 |
| Premiere: World | $52 084 721 February 14, 1985 |
| USA | $45 875 171 |
| Other countries | $6 209 550 |
| Box Office – Budget | $51 084 721 |
| Premiere: USA | $45 875 171 February 7, 1985 |
| theaters | 1118 |
| rollout | 320 days |
| Digital: World | April 29, 2008 |
| Parental Advisory | Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking, Profanity, ... |
| |
| Production Companies | |
| Also Known As | El club de los cinco United States |
Description
Five high school students meet in Saturday detention and discover how they have a great deal more in common than they thought.Сast and Crew
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What is “The Breakfast Club” about?
It follows five high school students who spend a Saturday in detention and slowly move beyond their labels (jock, brain, rebel, princess, outcast) as they genuinely get to know each other.
Why is the film considered a classic/cult movie?
It became a defining teen film of the 1980s thanks to recognizable school archetypes, candid conversations about family and social pressure, and a story driven mostly by dialogue and emotion rather than plot events.
Where and when does it take place?
Nearly everything happens in one school over a single day—a Saturday detention.
What does the title “The Breakfast Club” mean?
It’s an ironic label for their temporary group: a Saturday detention that overlaps with breakfast time and turns them into a one-day “club.”
Is it more of a comedy or a drama?
It’s a blend: it starts with sharp teen humor, but shifts into drama as the characters talk about fear, family, loneliness, and self-worth.
What are the main themes?
Identity and labels, parental pressure, high-school social roles, bullying and isolation, coming of age, and how people hide vulnerability behind behavioral masks.
Why is the movie mostly dialogue?
The structure highlights character psychology: tension, bonding, and conflict come from conversation. It’s a chamber piece where what they admit matters more than what they do.
Who wrote the story/screenplay?
The screenplay and overall authorial vision are associated with John Hughes, whose work helped define the 1980s teen drama style.
How is it connected to other 1980s teen movies?
It’s one of the defining films of that wave, with a similar tone, focus on school/family dynamics, and emphasis on teens’ inner lives—largely a signature of John Hughes’ approach.
Why do characters from different cliques start to understand each other?
Removed from their usual school ecosystem, the masks slip, and forced time together leads to honesty. They discover shared fears and pressures despite appearing very different.
Does the film have a main antagonist?
Not really: the conflict isn’t built around a villain but around internal issues, mutual prejudice, and pressure from adults/the system. Adult authority amplifies tension rather than serving as a single enemy.
Why does the film focus so much on family pressure?
Because expectations and parenting styles heavily shape the characters’ school roles: some chase perfection, some rebel, some withdraw. It shows how “labels” can be less a choice and more a coping mechanism.
What’s the point of the essay they have to write?
The essay frames the film’s central question: who they “really” are and who gets to define them. It turns their private exchange into a statement that a person can’t be reduced to one role.
Is it still worth watching for modern teens and adults?
Yes: even with its 1980s vibe, its themes—identity, expectation pressure, loneliness—remain relevant. For adults, it’s also compelling as a look at how school roles and family patterns shape people.
Is there a romantic element, and why is it there?
Yes, but it’s not the point: it illustrates how quickly social barriers can collapse when people stop performing roles and see each other as individuals rather than status symbols.
What’s the main message?
That people are more complex than any school label, and understanding comes from honesty and empathy. Also: others’ problems may be closer to yours than you think if you truly listen.
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friends impressions of the movie.
Friends comments and ratings
After 12 years and 235 days, I rewatched the film (I watched it three times in total). A touching piece about schoolchildren coming out and "the beginning of a beautiful friendship" (and love). Great movie.
It’s a truly magnificent example from the past of what happens when a director and crew are completely absorbed in their work. The author’s personality also plays a role, but here the cards fell into place: group therapy was a success not only for teenagers but also for many viewers of the time. Now, it seems to us that the world has changed and the new generation is significantly different. Something’s different. We’ve simply grown up.
The best film by John Hughes, who subtly felt the hearts and souls of teenagers of that generation
One of the best youth films I’ve seen. That rare case when all the elements that make a picture interesting are obvious, but this in no way spoils the overall impression. It’s surprising that after such a stellar debut, only Paul Gleason had a career.
I’ve seen it before and I appreciate it. It’s a very interesting, intimate film. It features excellent acting, engaging characters, and a superbly captured aesthetic and spirit of the '80s (and the school there).
(7.5). We have: parents as the main anti-heroes and a slightly blurry ending. But at the same time, a very interesting conversational drama, with various character archetypes: crazy, athlete, princess, bandit and nerd. Well staged and acted, but it could have been better. +0.5 for music.
A boring story about how a confined space and a good joint can change the life credo of teenagers. Most of the actors clearly don’t pull off their roles; you simply don’t believe them. The mediocre disclosure of the exposition of the already closed characters does not add to the charm of the picture
Teenagers from different walks of life quarrel, make up, and eventually become friends and couples. The entire film is built for the final scene, which truly shakes the soul.
the psychology of teenagers is shown in a simple accessible form from hostility to full understanding and direct contact. The spirit and atmosphere of the wonderful 80s, it’s a pity that it’s in a chamber form
John Hughes. And don’t let the release date scare you. This is one of those rare cases where a film, like wine, only gets better with age.
Atmospheric film. I won’t say that you can’t take your eyes off it, but you definitely want to join this club. The film is old and because of this I want to make allowances for naivety. This doesn’t make him bad, it’s just that at the moment I can’t believe it.
It seems hard to believe that teenagers can communicate like this, but these are frank and genuine dialogues. There are no typical movie kids on screen; these are realistic characters who shatter stereotypes. The atmosphere and music are superb. A gripping psychological drama about growing up.
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