Top Teen Comedies of the 80s: The Breakfast Club

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Fast Times at Ridgemont h

Oct 19, 2008

Some of the best high school comedy films of our time come from the 80's.

Ah, the 80’s. It was a time of big hair, neon stretchy pants and teenaged angst. And where better to capture the 80’s in all its glory than on the big screen? Fuelled by adolescent suffering and light-hearted humour, these films touched our hearts and opened our minds to the trials and tribulations of being in high school in the 1980’s.

What better way to celebrate high school in the 80’s than with a comedy focused on a group of high school boys with one important thing on their minds: sex. In an attempt to lose their virginity, a group of friends visit Porky’s, a bar outside of town where the owner promises them a night with a prostitute. Unfortunately for the randy teenagers, it doesn’t work out this way. What ensues, in an effort to seek revenge, is a roller coaster of slapstick humour.

Fast Times takes us into the worlds of several different groups of high schoolers. Starring Sean Pean and Jennifer Jason Leigh, written by Cameron Crowe and directed by Clueless’ Amy Heckerling, Fast Times was supposedly based on Cameron Crowe’s undercover work at a high school. Unprotected high school sex, persistent drug use, mindless teenaged conversation and embarrassing adolescent situations: this film’s got it all. And Sean Penn in one of his most memorable roles.

This classic coming-of-age comedy marked the beginning of the Brat Pack. Sophomore Sam (Molly Ringwald) is faced with a whole world full of problems surrounding her sixteenth birthday. Obsessed with popular Jake but hounded by a geek, Sam’s boy problems are put in the background compared to her family situation. Catch Ringwald in her finest role as an awkward teenager, in this flick directed by the teenage comedy master, John Hughes.

Another John Hughes’ classic, this film dives into the world of high school cliques as five students face detention. The princess (Molly Ringwald), the criminal (Judd Nelson), the athlete (Emilio Estevez), the nerd (Anthony Michael Hall) and the misfit (Ally Sheedy) all find themselves stuck in a Saturday detention after breaking different rules. What follows is an afternoon of witty dialogue, unexpected friendships and inner secrets that capture the true essence of what high school is all about.

Like The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, takes place all in one day. It is a typical school day for most kids; however, for Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick), it is the best day of his life. Rogue simpleton Bueller and his buddies Cam and Sloane decide to skip school and spend the day in downtown Chicago. However, Bueller must avoid his parents, older sister and principal in the process. The day in the life of simple, yet suave, Ferris Bueller promises to keep the audience in stitches.

A few other high school comedies deserve honourable mentions as well. These include stoner film Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, romantic comedy Can’t Buy Me Love, starring a younger McDreamy Patrick Dempsey, and Tom Cruise’s Risky Business.

Check out the Top Five High School Comedies of the 90’s to see which of your favourite films made that list.

The copyright of the article Top Teen Comedies of the 80s: The Breakfast Club in Comic Films is owned by Jenna Galley. Permission to republish Top Teen Comedies of the 80s: The Breakfast Club in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.