The 80’s. What a wonderful decade that I think about living through every day. The head banging rock music, pastel teen movies, mullets, and iconic videogames all popped up during the 80’s. Teen movies are a great way to escape 2017 and dive into a world where Molly Ringwald is your best friend and Matthew Broderick can ruin your dad’s car. These movies make me feel nostalgic for a time we all wish we existed in.
1. Pretty in Pink (1986)
My all-time favorite teen movie. Molly Ringwald stars in this movie as Andie Walsh, a girl raised by her single father, stuck in a love triangle between her best friend and popular boy. Sounds pretty cliché, but it’s a good watch. Even if you’re not interested, I would still watch it for Andie’s wild outfits. This movie has one of the best soundtracks ever and was named after the song by The Psychedelic Furs (one of my favorite bands!) I’m still glad Duckie got his happy ending.
2. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Another Molly Ringwald movie! If you haven’t guessed yet, I love her very much. She stars as Sam Baker, a girl devastated when everyone forgets her sixteenth birthday. This was the film that really brought Molly to fame. Extra: If you’ve watched “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” in Season 3 episode 12, Molly, who plays Amy Juergen’s mom says, “Everyone forgot my sixteenth birthday, and it stayed with me my whole life.” Sorry, just fangirling over here by myself.
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
This is probably the most iconic teen movie of the 80s. A story about a princess, a jock, a geek, an outcast, and a delinquent all stuck together for Saturday detention. The first prominent film to show a group of totally different people becoming friends.
4. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Presenting another iconic teen movie, Matthew Broderick stars as Ferris, the guy who convinces his parents that he’s ill in bed when actually he’s running off with his best friend and girlfriend to slack off and explore the city. This movie is a topsy tipsy adventure. Highly recommend.
5. Heathers (1988)
Before Winona Ryder became the overprotective mother of Will Byers, she was Veronica Sawyer, a member of the most popular group in school, the Heathers. This dark comedy involves Veronica and her disturbed boyfriend, J.D, as they kill off those they hate. Eventually it becomes a dual between the two of them as Veronica realizes his true intentions. It’s a dark and weird film, with random moments of comedy. Watch it.
That concludes my all-time favorite 80s teen movies. All of these are fairly popular and you might have already seen them. Either way, there’s no harm in watching them again. If you haven’t seen any of these, please do! You will definitely go into an 80’s phase.